Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2011

by

Brian Boehler - James Darby - Linda Darby - Ryan Scott

MERLIN

Bobby Palkovic of Merlin readies the spikes pre-show for his updated VSM speaker system. It turns out Bobby's room

was right next to the Darby's in the Marriott. A fine neighbor and they were impressed that the sound coming through their wall sounded just as if there was a real band, jazz ensemble or vocalist in the next room.

The sound IN Bobby's room as always, was immaculate, transparent, full ranged and exceptionally well fleshed out. Bobby is easily one of the most consistent, high quality designers in the industry. No hype. No new models just for marketing sake like many speaker makers. No inflated, gouging prices. You hardly ever see Merlin speakers for sale on Audiogon or Ebay and there's a reason for that. It doesn't get better.

 

A step above their current (and still available) VSM & TSM MMi & MXr offerings, the Master series VSM & TSM are now available. The Master VSM features new Cardas Clear based internal wiring, Master BAM, Master RCs and Premium Clear Coat finish all standard. The Master TSM features the new Cardas Clear based internal wiring, Master RCs and Premium Clear Coat finish standard.

The Master Bam is a further development of the lead free Super BAM. This piece uses a switching power supply that is 50 times quieter than the one used in the standard unit. As well, the Q of the bass EQ circuit in the Master BAM has been optimized to provide better definition and a more uniform bass character. It also has a circuit board revision to ensure trouble free shipment of the large and heavy Duelund copper foil capacitors. Four of them are used in a Master Bam hence there are $900 worth of these proprietary copper foil capacitors in this unit, alone. Since all of the line level signal goes through the Master BAM, its effects are even greater than the Master RC’s. Both used in the same system produce an exceptional sonic event. One that is extremely relaxed and realistic in nature, showing a fuller more room filling character, with increased pitch definition in the bass, increased micro and macro dynamics, a more expansive portrayal with considerably more contrast potential. All in all, a way more realistic picture is created.

Driving the system was the new Ars-Sonum Gran Filarmonia integrated, at 60 wpc and $10,000 a step above the popular standard Filarmonia SE. It features higher grade parts and wiring.