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Category: Loudspeakers
Title: Incredible Merlin VSM MMe speakers	views:2834
I just wanted to share a happy rant about my experience with a new pair of VSM MMe's. I've been into serious hi-fi (and a music lover) for many years and I just didn't think speakers could change a system this much. There are no Merlin dealers over here and I originally came across VSMs back in 2004, when I managed to get hold of a second hand pair of VSM SEs. I fell in love with those and it was inevitable that I would upgrade at some point. So I took the plunge and ordered a new pair of MMe's from the US. When they arrived, I knew they would need burning in, but the difference over the old SEs was dramatic even in the first hour. Much bigger, weightier sound, wider, more detailed, and just so, so sweet. I now have well over 300 hours on the speakers and they have improved enormously on what I was hearing in the first week. I listen to an unusually wide range of music: from classical through jazz, folk, pop, electronic, dance, R&B and hip-hop. If there are good musicians behind the music, I usually like it. The MMes seem to break all the rules by sounding breathtakingly detailed and airy, while also sounding incredibly sweet. Words really just don’t do the sound justice – I’ve heard top-end electrostatics and the MMes are right up there for delicacy and air. And if it's your thing, the soundstage is about 30% wider and much deeper. But now it's a believable place that's with you in the room, not just some impressive hi-fi artefact. You know that over-used hi-fi mag phrase about speakers disappearing? When the music plays, the MMe's really do just disappear. The music has nothing to do with the speakers - it's just there in the room. Wall to wall, 3-dimensional and palpable. But it's what MME's do for music, rather than hi-fi, that really strikes me after living with them for a two months. Music I know well suddenly has a new piano line, plain as day. And it's not just any old piano line, but piano being played with incredible emotion that just wasn't there before. Same goes for a favourite vocal at the beginning of a song - now there's a second voice quietly harmonizing, and very beautifully. I always thought you had to change your front end to get these kinds of changes. I've always loved listening to the voices of talented female singers and, where the SEs were already remarkable, the MMe's take texture emotion and 'there-ness' to new levels. This is the kind of texture that is touchable and addictive. Lots of very late nights ... I was told to expect deeper and more tuneful bass. It turns out this was a big understatement. Yes, the bass really is deeper, bigger, more tuneful and controlled than before, but now my system has rhythm and drive that it never had (I always thought my ageing CD player was the problem here). Suddenly, music makes sense as music - it all hangs together rhythmically and in every other way. It just sounds right and it makes you smile. As for bass extension, there's a lot of talk online about a slight lack of weight at the bottom end. I'm probably using very different amps to most VSM owners, where fine valve amps are common. I use two big Meridian 557 amps running bridged mono and I guess they may play a part in this, with practically endless current and control. In my system the MMes go deeper than they should – very deep indeed and with absolute weight and conviction. This is all the scale I could want. Anyway, time to stop ranting and sign off. If you have an older set of VSMs, get them upgraded! Or just take the plunge and buy the latest version. These speakers tick all the 'Hi-Fi' check boxes, but it's the way they play music that will make you happy and keep you up late at night. SUMMARY: Incredible speakers at any price & ridiculously good at the US retail price. You\'ll soon hear why these speakers are class A recommended by Stereophile.

Review submitted: 2008/10/22

Category: Miscellaneous
Title: Isotek Cleanline	views:648
2 days ago I plugged a mains filter (an Isotek 'Cleanline') into my hifi chain. I've always been sceptical about mains filters and conditioners and have never really been interested in purchasing one. Unfortunately I'm an impulsive guy, and after a recent visit to the Heathrow Hifi show (at which EVERY exhibitor was using a mains filter of one sort or another) decided to get me one! Irrationally I sourced the cheapest rack width silver fascia filter (for an aesthetic match with my MuFi kit) I could find - a second hand Isotek Cleanline on 'ebay'. And placed a bid without ever having auditioned any mains filter, let alone the Isotek Cleanline itself. After winning the item I had that sort of sinking feeling of regret and stupidity that one gets when one realises that one has made an entirely impulse buy. Nevertheless I honoured my bid, stumped up the cash and waited for the package to arrive. Once the postie had fulfilled his part of the process I quickly fitted the Cleanline into my system. "At least it looks good" I mumbled resigning my self to a post-facto justification of the purchase based around its pretty blue LED. I stuck in a CD and hit play. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. I was gobsmacked: The difference to the sound of my hifi was NOT subtle. Indeed, I would say that only amp and speaker upgrades have benefitted the sound of my system more. In a nut shell the Isotek did exactly what it says on the tin - it cleaned the sound, lending instruments and voices far greater definition. The trebble was more detailed but at the same time midrange was more pleasantly present. The bass had more gravitas and the sound stage was really phat(?!). I would go as far to say that the Cleanline (£185 SH) has been, pound for the pound the most cost affective addition to my hifi that I have ever made. Whether the Cleanline is in itself a great piece of kit, or whether it was simply the final missing link in my hifi chain I don't know. I guess I'll have to switch other bits of kit (DAC, X10 v3, cables, ect.,...) in out to see if the improvements they bring are now more apparent with that filthy mains purified! I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who has anything o say about mains filters generally, and especially from anyone who has experience of other Isotek filters that I could consider as future upgrades. Cheers DocFoster

Review submitted: 2005/9/23

Category: Miscellaneous
Title: Isotek Gemini GII	views:3224
I read the review of the Isotek Cleanline by DocFoster and found it useful, so thought I should likewise contribute a few words about my recent purchase - an ex-demo Isotek Gemini GII 6-way filter block. I have a fairly modest hi-fi: what may be termed "budget" - and much of it purchased second hand. While I'm keen to upgrade (in particular my amplifier) I'm aware that it "works", so it’s rather difficult to justify upgrades to my partner. One area I had considered looking at was the mains – particularly since we had our flat re-wired and electricity was on my mind. This was partly because I kept reading about the difference it made – allegedly even to budget kit. Also because the idea of 1 upgrade influencing the amp, CD, tuner, cassette and DVD seemed good value. After much research I concluded I had no room on my rack for an extra component, so the Isotek Cleanline/Solus and MiniSub were ruled out. Instead I looked to the multi-way types. While the Orion strongly appealed, it was more than I could afford so I opted for the Gemini. Even being slightly less sophisticated compared to the Orion and also an ex-dem, I still paid £249 – making it a not-inexpensive upgrade. After parting with my cash I waited anxiously, my partner smirking, for it to arrive. First impression: it’s a beast! Really big and heavy, not at all like the white plastic multi-socket it replaced. Next problem: no cable. I did purchase one on eBay but it has a Wattgate HC 16A plug on it, so until I get round to purchasing a replacement I’m making do with a less-than-ideal standard kettle plug. Even given this limitation, I was stunned at the sound! It REALLY does make a difference. Music just has more detail and sparkle. Even my cynical partner admitted (reluctantly) that yes, it was an improvement! I don’t know enough about hi-fi to be able tpo provide a technical description of the ways in which the sound is better, except to say it is - a great deal. Am so pleased with it. Am now looking forward to a new IEC plug from Santa which should hopefully make it sound even better...

Review submitted: 2007/11/25