"Merlin Music Systems: The Merlin VSM floorstander has been around for years, and at every show there seems to be a newly modified version. The latest version, the Millennium Series, has been tweaked to a fare-thee-well, and all the tweaking has paid off: the sound in both Merlin rooms (Joule Electra tube electronics in one room, Simaudio solid-state in another) was absolutely first-rate." - Robert Deutsch

"Just as involving [as the Joseph Audio RM33si Signatures] was the sound emanating from two different suits showcasing the Merlin VSM Millennium ($7050-$8150, depending on finish). As you can read in Mikey Fremer's review in the September issue, this latest version of the Millennium features a special Bass Augmentation Module (BAM), a proprietary electronic device that boosts amplitude, maximizes efficiency, and optimizes the bottom octave (available in battery-powered/single-ended and dual-differential/balanced configurations).

It was fascinating to contrast the performance of this superb two-way floorstanding loudspeaker when driven by tube and solid-state electronics. One room featured the Joule [Electra] LAP-100 tube preamp and VZN 100W OTL monoblocks, the [Audio] Aero Capitole [24/192] CD player, and a selection of JPS Labs Superconductor 2 cables and power cords (including the astonishing new Aluminata). The other had the Millenniums hooked up to Simaudio's acclaimed Moon series of solid state components, including the Eclipse CD player, a combo of the P-5 preamp and the W-5 dual-mono power amp, and Cardas Golden Reference interconnects and AC cords. The way the VSM Millenniums articulated the bass-drum transients in the finale of Mahler's Symphony 1 while maintaining a rich, layered midrange was surpassed only by the largest, most expensive speakers at the Hilton." - Chip Stern

"I heard naturalness on a smaller scale in the Joule Electra room, which showcased the Joule Electra LAP-100 line/phono stage and VZN-100 Marquis monoblocks, Merlin Music [Systems] VSM Millennium speakers, [Audio] Aero Capitole [24/192] CD Player, and JPS [Labs] cables. Here, Reinhold Gliere's "Russian Sailor's Dance," from Light Classics, Vol.1 (Chesky CD102), had a clear yet ample image, with crisp highs and a full-bodied midrange. Then  heard bebop trumpet heavyweight Red Rodney, from his Red Rodney 1957 (Prevue CD PR5), his tone [was] as enlivening as a fall breeze." - Zan Stewart

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