This system has been evolving over the past 5 years, from a cheapo JVC mini system to what you see now.
I've had the Merlin VSM-Ms for about 2 years now and I could not be happier. I'm curious to know what the MM sounds like on top of what is already a fine speaker top to bottom but that will have to wait.
new higher-mass Nordost-wired, mechanical-anti-skate damping oil-fillable tonearm
VPI Industries Scoutmaster
Turntable with outboard 300rpm motor and dual-plinth.
Cary Audio Design 306/200
Top class CD player (bought used)
Supratek Chenin
All-tube linestage and phono stage with the following tubes: Input tubes: 2 Ken-Rad VT-231 NOS tubes (1940s US Navy) Rectifiers: AWV Radiotron 6F6G NOS tubes (1950s Aussie Military) Phono: Siemens Halske 6922 (1969-70)
Merlin Battery BAM
Bass Augmentation Module. This is now between my CD player and preamp as the preamp doesn't have a tape loop.
Joule Electra VZN-80
OTL stereoblock - one of the best matches with Merlin speakers.
Merlin Music Systems VSM millennium
with RF connector thing
Gingko Cloud 11
Turntable isolation platform
Discovery Cables Essence
Using as a phono cable, nice sweet sound and a bargain.
Homegrown Silver Lace
1.0m RCA/RCA
Cardas Golden Reference
1m RCA/RCA
Cardas Golden Reference
1.5m RCA/RCA
Cardas Golden Reference Speaker cables
2m speaker cables
Mapleshade Ultimate Triplepoint Cones
Under the Supratek preamp. Makes a noticeable improvement in imaging and lowers the noisefloor.
Sistrum SP-101
Amp stand
Sistrum SP-004
Am borrowing a pair of these great platforms to put under the Merlins (replacing the stock Z-feet). Under the platforms, to protect the wooden flooring, I'm getting 3 APCD2 Coupling Discs.
Ordered from starsound 06/10/04
Mapleshade Heavyhats
3 brass weights, one's on top of the CD player, the other two are on the Supratek.
