Every year I take time out to stop by the Merlin room to see what Bobby has been up to. After a small hiatus, Bobby is back with Jud Barber (Joule Electra), and the sound was smokin'. What I really wanted to hear was the BAM system on the VSM SE. I have never, ever, heard a seven inch woofer belt it out with that kind of authority. And all I can say is that the BAM system is the electrical equivalent of a high-end sub. Frankly, I seriously doubt if Bobby can take this speaker any further without some type of technical breakthrough in driver or crossover technology. Where I see Merlin going next is with an outboard super-sub picking up where the BAM leaves off. But, I'm sure that the Merlin loudspeaker would not have sounded as good as they did were it not for the always excellent Joule Electra all tube electronics. The preamp has been further improved with a high current tube output section. Jud's ideal was to create an all tube preamp, with all the sonic virtues of the breed, but with the ability to drive any power amplifier available, for instance, a transistor power amplifier with a 10K ohm input impedance. Is this a universal preamplifier in the making? I don't know, but we have one here at BFS, and its merit will be completely assessed.

Merlin loudspeakers were displayed like three flavors of ice cream, or three fine merlots if you wish. Bobby Palkovic's VSM SE's were powered by Joule Electra electronics; great sounding and great looking gear. In his adjoining small room the wonderful TSM's played. With this show they are available in a new finish, sort of a dark red cherry with small gold flecks. As a kid I built 1/24th scale model cars. Anyone remember AMC models? Back then, the color of the TSM would have been called Candy Apple Red. In its new color, the TSM is absolutely one of the most beautiful speakers seen in years. People were going ga, ga.

A sweeter side of the Merlin VSM SE was in the Hovland room. They introduced a 100 watt amp using EL 34's, and an extremely nice looking preamp. It was in their room that I was introduced to the new all blues Jimi Hendrix disc. WOW!