crazytubepower Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Well as you may or may not know, I have had a JMA Merlin at my house for two days now. I cannot seem to turn it off, the music that comes out of this little, and I mean tiny thing is amazing. I seriously do not know how Mark can put out a product built this well and with a sound that is not beat by anything near it's price for a mere $595! Now for the review. Build quality The build quality of this unit is something you would expect from a unit that costs three times its price! An amazing feat indeed. True craftsmanship at work here. Not some cheap Chinese POS that has inch gaps. The 5 gauge black brushed steel face is out of this world cool and beautiful. The wood side add some sophistication and style, even though it does not fit my décor the wood is beautiful in person and has grown on me. A very high quality Alps Blue Velvet volume knob for main volume but cheap ones for the left and right cannels. There is some static when they are moved, but these knobs are "set it and forget it" so it never has bothered me because I do not touch them. Pros: + High Quality main volume knob + Fit and finish is that of a unit costing 3 or more times the Merlin + Metal face plate is so sweet + Knobs are a nice and sturdy, a metallic not plastic. Smooth control/ movement. + Nice length to the power cord. Cons: - Staticy volume pots, the left and right cannel controls only - The power button is a cheap plastic, would like to see maybe a metal or a swich like on the blueberry Now for the important part...Sound Quality/ Listening tests I first started out with Supertramp's "Bloody Well Right." And let me tell you, It was bloody well right on the money. The Merlin was very dynamic with a broad soundstage. The highs were not too shrill and on the refined side. No part of the fq was left out leaving a full yet transparent sound. You could hear detail you could not before including saliva and breathing! Next I put on Frank Zappa's "San Ber'dino". Along with Supertramp all his music is beautifully recorded, some of the best. Back to the point, from the start I noticed the midrange and vocals were right on, and the percussion seemed to me in the room, with tight, tight, tight, and did I say tight bass that was deep and real. No signs of fatiguing do to high fq's at all. Time for Elo's "Evil Woman" On this I noticed again the percussion was so real, the symbols were in the room, they had to be, with every crush of that hi hat you could see his stick cocking back for yet another sonic assault! The vocals seemed to be laid back a bit, which I noticed a little on Supertramp but that is a good and bad thing. Lastly I popped in my love Diana Krall! I picked "Narrow daylight" because it really shows off her vocal talent. And Oh my god...She is in the room, not only that she has to be fifty feet tall! The Jazz guitar was forward and right on! Just how it was meant to sound. The brushes on the snare sounded okay. It is a hard sound to reproduce and it did the best job I have heard. All and all the Merlin is a must buy! The Sonics are out of this world along with the build quality. Quoting Daddy Dee, If you find anything that sounds better for the price I'll kiss a pig! It sounds too good to be true, you have to see it yourself. If seeing is believing that believing is seeing so go and buy one. It is only $595 so you are not risking much, and it will bet anything close to its price. If I were Stereophile this would be a recommended component class A+!!! I do not care about price, this is truly a high-end piece. I would also like to add, that I get nothing from this review and put it out here to let people know. This is my first real review of a product and feel I did fairly well. I do feel I am an audiophile, all I think about is my system and music, nothing else in my life matters, besides my mom and girlfriend. Thanks so much mark for this chance to review your stellar product. I am so sad it has to go back in 8 days, or is it 7, who knows, but I never want to see this thing go. I am going to buy it without a doubt, it is just a question of getting the funds to do so. Thanks Enjoy James Eland CTP Your 15 year-old Audiophile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurenc319 Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 hi, Great review, it goes on my let's think about list along with the Peach and Wright Sound Lab's WLA12A line pre-amp. Hmmm, do I want 6SN7's or 6922's in my preamp ? Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 CTP, Nice reveiw. I feel as good with my Blueberry. Mark does a GREAT job with his product.Looks like I may a Merlin down the road. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone complaining about Mark's product or his service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted August 25, 2005 Author Share Posted August 25, 2005 That is ture, he is a very nice guy! I would buy just for the service alone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 No way, those knobs are NOT a set once a forget it deal. I use them all the time! Everything I play seems to be balanced just a bit different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 "I first started out with Supertramp's "Bloody Well Right." And let me tell you, It was bloody well right on the money......... .........Next I put on Frank Zappa's "San Ber'dino". Along with Supertramp all his music is beautifully recorded, some of the best...... ....Your 15 year-old Audiophile" Whaaaaaaa? You are 15 years old? Allow me to complement you on your excellent musical taste. Somebody is rais'n you right......those first two selections have been my demos here on many occasions Instead of "30 days in San Ber'dino", here's a "get out of jail free" card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Set it and......................forget it. We'll have to change the name from JuicyMusic to Ronco. Seriously though, I rarely change the setting on mine but do on occasion. I can't imagine what Dean could be listening to that changes the balance so dramatically. Must be some of that rock and roll I've been hearing about lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 ---------------- On 8/25/2005 7:29:26 PM garymd wrote: Set it and......................forget it. We'll have to change the name from JuicyMusic to Ronco. Seriously though, I rarely change the setting on mine but do on occasion. I can't imagine what Dean could be listening to that changes the balance so dramatically. Must be some of that rock and roll I've been hearing about lately. ---------------- Didn't someone say they thought Dean was out of balance a bit? No wonder he would have to adjust everything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodog Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Crazytubepower, excellent review. You write extremely well, honest and thoughtful. I can't wait to hear this gem. Woo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfandbark Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 15 year old ears giving that kind of review... It MUST be good. Who taught the kid to listen to Supertramp, ELO and Zappa? Wow! Nice, honest review, Crazytubes.. Respectfully, WOOF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 ---------------- On 8/25/2005 7:17:33 PM DeanG wrote: No way, those knobs are NOT a set once a forget it deal. I use them all the time! Everything I play seems to be balanced just a bit different. ---------------- Could it be related to the amp change between each record? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 I never use the preamp to balance channels--I use the gain control on the amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dflip Posted August 25, 2005 Share Posted August 25, 2005 Ben, you beat me to it. I figured Dean had to keep changing the balance because each amp would require a different setting. How often does he change amps? Allan, it is easy to change the gain on the MC-30's, but some amps probably don't have that option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieboy Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 I'm gonna get hit but here it goes! 15? With a sig that get's better with wine? I would like to think that the future is in these capable hands but... What the hell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieboy Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 I do want to add if your 15 I have a lot of hope for the future of audio! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlieboy Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 BTW Great review! I just find it hard for 15 year old ears as fresh as they are to have the experience of different equipment and experience levels.That can benifit me. I back you as a lost soul that loves older music though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazytubepower Posted August 26, 2005 Author Share Posted August 26, 2005 It is ture that my ears are inexperianced, however, I can tell what sounds good and how something is recorded, but i do not have alot of amps/ pres under my belt. And what was all the other stuff you were going on about. No I do not drink wine, just sounded cool. Anyway talk to you later, have a good day/night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwinr Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 Great review, crazytubepower. I don't know about Diana Krall, though. As a singer, she looks good on her album covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Blacksmith Posted August 26, 2005 Share Posted August 26, 2005 I am sure Mark makes a good product but they "aint all that!" I would love to see how you react when an outstanding piece of gear lands on your tender ears. Flame on boys, I am just sick and tired of the only gear worth mentioning is JM and VRDs. I heard the peach and while it is a good unit, I was not overly impressed. Sorry bout that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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