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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. Merlin balanced SuperBAM/VSM-MM Speakers by Blue Bull General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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168.209.98.35
Model: Merlin balanced SuperBAM/VSM-MM Category: Speakers Suggested Retail Price: $9400 Description: Merlin SuperBAM Manufacturer URL: Merlin Music Inc. Manufacturer URL: Merlin Music Inc.
Review by Blue Bull ( A ) on December 25, 2005 at 23:02:12
IP Address: 168.209.98.35Add Your Review
for the Merlin balanced SuperBAM/VSM-MM
I have owned the Merlin VSM-MM and balanced BAM(Modification to accept SE connection)since January 2005.Previous speakers were the Revel M20s.I used the Mark Levinson 37 transport,Stealth Audio Varidig AES/EBU,Mark Levinson 36s,Pathos Logos int amp with various tubes(Sovtek 6922,Ei 6DJ8,EH 6922 and Siemens CCa)BAM used between the 36s and Pathos.Ics were Madrigal CZ gel 1 XLRs,which were changed to Ridge Street Audio Poiema !! XLRs.Speaker cable were Synergistic Research active,Paul Speltz Anti-Cable and finally RSA Poiema !The Merlin BAM were sent back to the States to Merlin Music Systems earlier this year for the SuperBAM upgrade(Thanks Bobby..!!).In this waiting period for the return of the BAM,I sold the Levinsons(..for a very good price..)and a used Gryphon Callisto 2100 int amp came up for sale, at an absolutely fantastic price.The Levinsons were replaced with the newest version(Sony mechanism) of the Audio Aero Prima Mk II.
The system therefore changed substantially from the original BAM to when the SuperBAM returned.Different CD player and int amp.This makes it difficult to say what positive changes the BAM to SuperBAM upgrade has made to the sonic picture, as a whole.I can, however ,very positively say ,that where the difference between running the original BAM in AC mode vs battery mode was quite audible,the difference with the SuperBAM is not that large.Battery mode still do sound more balanced and natural,more "right".This is convenient,since I leave it on AC mode most of the time,for less critical listening.The detacable powercord from the new power supply also leaves the option for experimenting with different powercords.I have ,however, not felt the need to do that.The fact that the new power supply can be used at any voltage,makes it very user friendly for any part of the world.The CE stamp on the power supply is also important for import into some countries.
I had my doubts when I purchased the Audio Aero Prima Mk II cd player,since it was replacing an excellent Mark Levinson 37/36s combination.I am pleased to say that it is simply superb.A bargain .
The Gryphon Callisto 2100 int amp.The "Audio Gods" were smiling on me when they landed this used unit in my lap ....A Danish solid state amplifier masterpiece.
Then finally the Merlins .What can I ad to all the accolades ? Show reports and prizes,press reviews,reviews and comments from end users on Audio Asylum,Audio Review Audiogon etc...?
Well,here's in a nutshell...The "magic" lies in the balance .The natural tone and the complete "rightness" of sound .As simple as that .Perfect.
Product Weakness: Nothing Product Strengths: Everything
Associated Equipment for this Review: Amplifier: Gryphon Callisto 2100 Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audio Aero Prima Mk II Speakers: Merlin VSM-MM and balanced SuperBAM Cables/Interconnects: RSA Poiema!! XLR and Poiema ! sp cable Music Used (Genre/Selections): Everything ... Room Size (LxWxH): 8m x 6m x 3m Room Comments/Treatments: Family room Time Period/Length of Audition: Jan 2005 Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Powercords of own design Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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Topic - REVIEW: Merlin Music Inc. Merlin balanced SuperBAM/VSM-MM Speakers - Blue Bull 23:02:12 12/25/05 ( 69)
- Merlin Music Inc. Merlin balanced SuperBAM/VSM-MM Speakers - Ed C 20:52:29 12/26/05 ( 1)
- Thank you.Youre welcome.... - Blue Bull 23:23:44 12/26/05 ( 0)
How DOES he do it for only $9400 ??!? - johnnybravo 20:13:00 12/26/05 ( 5)
- Re: How DOES he do it for only $9400 ??!? - Bobby Palkovic 06:00:01 12/28/05 ( 2)
- Re: How DOES he do it for only $9400 ??!? - bds6867 09:57:26 12/28/05 ( 0)
- last sentence should read "it is true you may not like them but" nt - Bobby Palkovic 06:03:56 12/28/05 ( 0)
experience - Sordidman 08:36:27 12/27/05 ( 0)
Enquiring minds ?.. - Blue Bull 20:28:14 12/26/05 ( 0)
Aero Prima Question - erik 19:05:52 12/26/05 ( 11)
- New faceplate... - Blue Bull 20:18:35 12/26/05 ( 10)
- Prima - erik 15:29:22 12/27/05 ( 9)
- A5 - Papitwinki 13:55:06 01/2/06 ( 0)
- Does the new Prima have digital out? (nt) - PorkPieHat 03:17:48 12/28/05 ( 1)
- Yes, RCA and TOSLINK (nt) - erik 05:03:58 12/28/05 ( 0)
- Musical Fidelity A5 ,.. - Blue Bull 18:33:25 12/27/05 ( 3)
- Re: Musical Fidelity A5 ,.. - erik 19:18:25 12/27/05 ( 2)
Keep us posted - Ian Mackenzie 16:38:29 12/27/05 ( 1)
- Will do - erik 19:20:29 12/27/05 ( 0)
ML vs. Audio Aero - Jon L 09:01:32 12/26/05 ( 6)
- This answer will ... - Blue Bull 10:10:44 12/26/05 ( 5)
- I read the thread in Agon where you ask for input and... - PorkPieHat 04:19:35 12/27/05 ( 3)
- What else ... - Blue Bull 07:51:13 12/27/05 ( 2)
- What kind of music do you listen to Bluebull? (nt) - PorkPieHat 10:45:36 12/27/05 ( 1)
- Mostly everything .. - Blue Bull 18:47:35 12/27/05 ( 0)
- Re: This answer will ... - Jon L 12:09:01 12/26/05 ( 0)
Don't bother to read This isn't a review - Frihed89 06:38:21 12/26/05 ( 41)
- Yawn. - samac 11:21:39 12/26/05 ( 2)
- very good loudpseakers for the money. - Frihed89 13:30:24 12/26/05 ( 1)
- What cause ? - Blue Bull 20:25:43 12/26/05 ( 0)
It is true that ... - Blue Bull 08:02:12 12/26/05 ( 37)
- Re: It is true that ... - Stale 08:43:10 12/26/05 ( 36)
- Look, everyone, "Stale" is now a "thread critic" here....... - Ian Mackenzie 19:20:34 12/26/05 ( 32)
- I was not trying to shit on the guy - Stale 10:23:04 12/27/05 ( 29)
- I repeat,for the sake of.. - Blue Bull 19:17:03 12/27/05 ( 27)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - Stale 10:06:37 12/28/05 ( 3)
- The one good point you made .. - Blue Bull 10:33:02 12/28/05 ( 2)
- Re: The one good point you made .. - Stale 11:13:53 12/29/05 ( 1)
- "I would be happy to get a pair" ... - Blue Bull 16:17:15 12/29/05 ( 0)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - mauimusicman 20:08:20 12/27/05 ( 22)
- It is my understanding...... - samac 10:15:56 12/28/05 ( 0)
- Oh boy! - Stale 10:09:45 12/28/05 ( 0)
- Unregistered POSTER: please refrain from commenting - Sordidman 08:48:31 12/28/05 ( 6)
- Re: Unregistered POSTER: please refrain from commenting - tres xero 01:58:45 12/31/05 ( 0)
- Re: Unregistered POSTER: please refrain from commenting - mauimusicman 12:49:02 12/28/05 ( 4)
- No, - just hoping for a balance...... - Sordidman 16:34:50 12/28/05 ( 3)
- Re: No, - just hoping for a balance...... - mauimusicman 03:12:47 12/29/05 ( 2)
- Uh... let's see.... - Sordidman 07:22:48 12/29/05 ( 1)
- Re: Uh... let's see.... - mauimusicman 03:08:13 12/30/05 ( 0)
- I believe in Physics.. - Blue Bull 06:53:10 12/28/05 ( 0)
Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - Bobby Palkovic 05:32:40 12/28/05 ( 11)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - mauimusicman 12:45:44 12/28/05 ( 10)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - Bobby Palkovic 13:06:33 12/28/05 ( 9)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - mauimusicman 03:09:13 12/29/05 ( 8)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - mauimusicman 03:20:17 12/29/05 ( 7)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - Bobby Palkovic 06:43:29 12/29/05 ( 6)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - mauimusicman 03:33:32 12/30/05 ( 0)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - mauimusicman 03:20:54 12/30/05 ( 4)
- Re: I repeat,for the sake of.. - Bobby Palkovic 06:17:38 12/30/05 ( 3)
- and by the way maui, - Bobby Palkovic 06:31:45 12/30/05 ( 2)
- Re: and by the way maui, - mauimusicman 19:27:46 01/7/06 ( 0)
- Re: and by the way maui, - bobbypalkovic 09:04:40 12/31/05 ( 0)
"Coloquial" English and "Essay" English are two different things..... - Ian Mackenzie 14:10:30 12/27/05 ( 0)
Re: Funny. I don't see any disrespect in the poster's question * - Guy 00:36:37 12/27/05 ( 1)
- Re: Funny. I don't see any disrespect in the poster's question * - Ian Mackenzie 06:17:09 12/27/05 ( 0)
The "report" is about .. - Blue Bull 09:00:29 12/26/05 ( 2)
- Oh what a BS - Stale 14:03:23 12/26/05 ( 1)
- You need my .. - Blue Bull 20:12:52 12/26/05 ( 0)