An Amazing Lack of Creativity
CES 2003
By Martin G. DeWulf

.  .  .

So, how does one get anything of substance out of a show like this? Why should anyone play music when the odds of obtaining a listenable presentation are slim to none? First of all, if a room does sound good it indicates that something special has to be happening inside. Bobby at Merlin has proven the truth of that last statement year, after year, after year. Excellence can be repeatedly attained . . .

Merlin was by itself this year. After a while it gets a little hard to know what to say about Bobby and his VSM. Still, I thought that his sound this year was the best I've heard from him. A little faster, a little more balanced, more naturally detailed, less hyped . . . excellent sound made even better. (yes, he has made a few improvements to the design, minor things actually, but real nonetheless.) This might have been the only room at the Alexis [Park show venue] to come close to what I expect in the Big Rig. Bobby can make even the worst room sing.

. . .

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