Author Topic: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks  (Read 11489 times)

pmkap

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A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« on: September 24, 2012, 05:13:13 AM »
I had the opportunity this Saturday , along with some others who can chime in if they desire, to compare the Merrill Veritas monobloc amplifiers  -
http://merrillaudio.net/veritas.html
to my own NC400 stereo single chassis [2 x Nc400 + 2 x SMPS600] amplifier.

I've had the Nc400 for a few months and have gradually tweeked it with my own mains input cabling and signal input cabling, as well as my own speaker wire, as well as some other tweeks. My initial dissatisfaction with the NCore's midrange and treble were largely mitigated by these changes. Actually, I was thrilled with this amp, and IMO, its is the best amp I'd had in my system.

Using all my own cabling, we listened to my remote controlled Ear Acute III CD player primarily to CDs (also fed via Itunes from a Windows laptop via a cheesy USB cable, with less than spectacular results. I really need a better usb cable) feeding my NC400, and later the Veritas NC1200 monoblocks, and then to my Marten Miles II speakers. The Acute III was fed from one of the isolated 3 amp isolated duplex on my Alchemist power conditioner, and the amps were powered via the 'pass-thru' duplex on the Alchemist with no series reactive components and simply some parallel small 'X' capacitance.

We first listened to my Ncore400 to establish a baseline. All felt my Ncore400 a very good amp. Before switching to the Merrill Veritas I wanted to hear my amp with the Merrill supplied Synergistic Research Mechanical Interface Grounding (MIG) footers in lieu of my brass cones under my Nc400. I'll be ordering a set. We listened a bit more to re-calibrate our (improved) baseline.

So we substituted Merrill NC1200s, and it was quickly apparent that this NC1200 is subjectively a better amp. Not a 'knock you on your ass', I can no longer bear to listen to my POS amp, but an easily perceived and very worthwhile, substantial  improvement. Where I loved the dense, slightly warm midrange of my NC400s, the midrange of this Nc1200 was simply mo' betta. Same goes to the ability to do that difficult task of presenting tambourines and bells, or recreating accurately the brass 'blat' from a Balkan brass band. Whereas the bass on my amp is taut and controlled, aiding in the the recreation of the recording venue, the Merrills were tauter and more controlled.  The Merrill Veritas amps are simply, IMO, wonderful amps. I really don't know how to convey in words how exactly it is better, but as Justice Potter Stewart said of pornography 'I know it when I see it', with amps 'I know it when I hear it'.

I don't know what to attribute my subjective preference to, the intrinsic qualities of the Nc1200 vs those of the Nc400s, or the different choices Merrill Wettasinghe made in selecting the connectors, wiring and tweeks; its probably a combination of both.

I spent a goodly amount of time with Merrill discussing audio and music, and will simply say he seems a very knowledgeable EE and audiophile, and a really nice guy.

FWIW,
Paul
« Last Edit: September 24, 2012, 05:17:20 AM by pmkap »

Offline richidoo

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2012, 07:46:28 AM »
Thanks for the recap Paul. I share your impression of stock NCore, glad to know it can be improved with wire, footers, etc.

I too listen to brass as tonal reference. When the tweeter is able to show it, brass signal often beats solid state amps - they just can't do it really right when price is this side of $10k.  The harmonics are just too complex. Add a harmon mute or a real sizzler like Dizzy or Maynard and it can really be awful. Soft domes and softer caps to the rescue... but Dizzy is gone.

I heard another mid-priced, new generation class D amp this weekend which passed the brass test, NAD M2. It's exciting to hear about these new amps making great music and finally leaving the class D stigmata behind.

cab

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2012, 07:10:54 PM »
Does the Veritas use the Hypex smps?

Offline _Scotty_

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2012, 08:49:27 PM »
The Merrill Veritas is based on the OEM Hypex NCore 1200 module.
See Hypex link below
http://www.hypex.nl/index.php?option=com_weblinks&view=weblink&id=107&catid=42
Scotty

lonewolfny42

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2012, 10:11:30 PM »
Paul....

Sounds like you've found your next new amp....good review. :beer:

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2012, 03:48:37 AM »
Does the Veritas use the Hypex smps?

Yes.
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Offline Emil

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2012, 04:57:38 AM »
Paul....

Sounds like you've found your next new amp....good review. :beer:

$4500 per monoblock?
Cable business must be good :thumb:
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Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2012, 08:23:16 AM »
Paul....

Sounds like you've found your next new amp....good review. :beer:

$4500 per monoblock?
Cable business must be good :thumb:

Not if ordered prior to 12/1/12... http://merrillaudio.net/ownership.html ;)
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
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cab

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2012, 04:24:12 PM »
what is the "charter pricing"?

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2012, 04:52:00 PM »
what is the "charter pricing"?

I believe there are introductory pricing discounts available, as it says on the web page, contact them to discuss...
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Offline Triode Pete

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2012, 09:10:25 AM »
I had the pleasure to hear these prototype monoblock amps  at Paul's (Putz) Rave in NJ on September 8th. These amps were driving Salk HT3's (~ 84 dB efficient) speakers. I also had recently listened to the Hypex NC400 amps on my Tannoy system that were on Jason's (jtwrace) tour (see http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105310.600 for details) and I was extremely impressed with these Merrill Audio Veritas amps.

We switched out Paul's Classe CA200 amp and inserted the two Veritas amps. The bass became tighter & more well defined as well as deeper. Midrange and vocals became more realistic and the highs more transparent. Overall, the listening experience improved, with much better cohesiveness. Since this was a Rave, critical listening was not done; however, the improvement in sound quality was not subtle. Associated equipment included a Belles 22A Hybrid Tube preamp, vinyl source was VPI Aries 1/SDS/Dynavector 20xl, CD source was a Pioneer DV563A DVD/CD player with a Maverick DAC. Both sources sounded very, very good with a edge to the vinyl playback.

It would be cool to compare Merrill's Veritas amps to some really expensive esoteric amps!

Cheers,
Pete


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Offline rollo

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2012, 06:58:48 AM »
   Does anyone know if the Hypex OEM boards differ from the kit Hypex boards.


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cab

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Re: A visit with the Merrill Veritas(Nc1200) monoblocks
« Reply #12 on: October 07, 2012, 09:42:42 AM »
Yes, they are different output power so they are different. They most likely also have different input topology as Bruno designed the input on the nc400 especially as a high end, discrete only input section for the diy market.