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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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Speaker Asylum General speaker questions for audio and home theater. |
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In Reply to: Recommended amps for Merlin VSM-M for $1,400 or less (new or used)?? posted by hartwerger on August 9, 2006 at 12:16:59:
I have the TSM-MM; so my recommendations should be taken in that context.I mostly agree with Bobby, in that amplifiers with low output impedences (high damping) don't sound as good with Merlin's as lower damping amps. This is only a general guideline, though. I guess it depends on the amplifier design in 'total'.
My amplifier is a mosfet design; has some global feedback; and represents a compromise between the tube amps I tried; and some of the solid state designs that can sound 'thin' with Merlins. My amplifier uses less feedback than most- and has great bass response like many solid state designs; but has the sense of 'space' and 'wholeness' like a tubed amp. (Like you, I use a tubed pre-amp.)
It's best to try a few combinations, then decide. While I respect the 'all tube' camp... it ain't the only way to go.
FWIW, the amp I decided on keeping (for now) is a Musical Design D-75B Signature. (The difference between the Sig. and the base model is that the Sig. uses Blackgate caps; Cardas posts; Shottky diodes; and maybe a few other 'better' parts.) It is rated at 75wpc and even in my large space, it has more than enough power. The sense of 'space' and 'ambiance', along with a neutral frequency balance has been most pleasing.
While I was not able to hear a Belles amp; I'm quite confident that it would have done it for me also.
WEEZ
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Follow Ups
- Re: Recommended amps for Merlin VSM-M for $1,400 or less (new or used)?? - WEEZ 16:18:42 08/15/06 (0)
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