Erik Mandaville Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Mark: One of my brothers gave another one of my brothers a small transistor amp for Christmas. It was suggested that he use a similarly small but sturdy and flexible tube linestage in front of it, and I immediately thought of the Merlin. There was another contender, but I think the Merlin has more features that will be useful in this circumstance. I will be the one who puts it together, and I wanted to ask you if there is an approximate time line planned for availability. Thanks, Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted December 29, 2006 Author Share Posted December 29, 2006 Mark: You're injured? Sorry about that! I know very well how frustrating something like that can be. No problem, I know this would be worth the wait, and I would also suggest the Merlin as a factory-built product! I've seen your work first-hand, and I couldn't recommend it more highly. The peamp is such that he may like to upgrade to another amp in the future, but he is sort of just starting out on this. I'm sure the little amp he has right now is excellent, although I don't know the brand. I wanted to ask, too, if the Merlin has the same output impedance options as the Peach. My feeling is that my brother's new amp probably has an input z of around 10K-20K ohms, but I can find that out. Thanks, Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Put me down for a Merlin kit as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted December 29, 2006 Author Share Posted December 29, 2006 Mark: Sure, I understand the capacitor and space situation. We'll look forward to it. Thanks, Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 "It will be Low, Hi and ZeroGain Buffer." Great idea Mark!!![Y] Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spongeworthy Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 What is the cost of the Merlin kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anarchist Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Oh sure. Pique everyone's interest and get them clamoring for one now. Just remember who claimed first dibs and should be at the front of the line. [] Oh yeah and don't none of you try to jump ahead when the new amps show up either. [:|] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatsix Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Mark, Will you be using your automatic e-mail notification list for the availability announcement like you did with the Tercel? Sounds like another great product. --Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Anyone have a thread subscribed on this? I had no idea and want to know more. Also, what does the 3rd option do. Hi/Lo and what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anarchist Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Regarding the buffer stages: The main new feature is a new multi-mode operation a bit different than the Peach. The Merlin II multi-mode will be: GAIN ONLY, BUFFER ONLY, or GAIN + BUFFER. The new twist being the "BUFFER ONLY" mode. This, in essence, is similar to a so-called "passive preamps." It has no gain, but it allows the connection of a very long MAIN out cable with no effect on signal because a low Z buffer is driving the cable. Also includes TWO SETS of main outs (panel mounted). For for details and discussion on the JMA kits, the following threads are applicable. http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/765232.aspx http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/799978.aspx http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/801909.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 Mark: A low output impedance buffer sounds like a really great idea. It addresses the main problem of most resistive potentiometer-based passive preamps. Neat! I'll also look forward to seeing the amp kits as they develop. Also Re: the possible Merlin kit for my brother, what do I need to do to get on the list of interested customers? Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Can I assume the buffer would also address the problem of loading properly when you want to use a SS amp? I think I will have to get in line for one of these too. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 Mark: That sounds good; thanks for letting me know. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 Bruce: My guess is that a 90 ohm output impedance would work well with many solid state amps, depending on input sensitivity and impedance. a 1-to-10 ratio (10 being the load) is usually used as the minimum requirement, so if the input impedance of the amp in question is say around 10K ohms, the buffer would fall within that range very easily. I don't know if this is set up as a cathode follower, or what the circuit actually is, but my feeling is that it would probably well in many SS cases, depending on input sensitivity as well as impedance. This is just my take on Mark's description. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Thanks to Erik and Mark both - I had tried the original Merlin with my Alesis SS amp, but it has about a 7k input impedance. The bass was rolled off tremendously with that setup. I am thinking the MErlin II would do nicely for me in that regard. Then I could retire the Sony SS receiver I use on my Heresies. All I need now is the money. Since I'm taking a trip to the Philippines next month, I'll just have to wait a while I guess. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Bruce, you behave yourself now when you arrive in the Philippines. As my ex-Marine brother can attest while stationed there back in the '80s, the women love American men. Your friend there wouldn't appreciate it if you met her arm in arm with several new lady gal pals![ip][:$] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Jim, Actually, my friend is from the Philippines. She is presently working in China and will meet me back in Manila. She said she would stick like glue to me. [] She's a tiny thing too. 4' 11" and 90 pounds. If we hadn't had 911, I could almost sneak her back in in my carry on bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 I know a Japanese woman who fits that very description (4' 10" and about 85 pounds). I worked with her for years at my old job...she's now married to an American and back in Tokyo. She hates it there and wants back in the US in the worse way, but her Floridian husband loves it there in Japan and has no intentions on coming back here anytime soon. Hope there's no trouble in their marriage, but in her last e-mail she said if I ever went to Japan on vacation, she'd stow away in my overnight bag to come back to Florida! Hmmmm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Well, there you go, Jim. [Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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