RIP Bobby Palkovich - Merlin Music Systems

[Bruce B]

Just learned of his passing. Displayed with him a few times at audio shows years ago.

Merlin Music Systems

 

[DaveC]

RIP Bobby... and my condolences to his family and friends.

I met him and heard his system a few times at RMAF, it was always a very nice sounding system. I included him among my favorite rooms at RMAF one year in my AudioCircle reviews and he was nice enough to send me a message thanking me for the review.

 

[FrantzM]

RIP

I didn;t know him or his systems. I do however see many luminaries of High End Audio going out ... Who are they passing the torch to?

 

[DaveyF]

Many moons ago, I had the pleasure of listening to a pair of Bobby's very first speakers. At the time, they were a small tower with simple off the shelf drivers. Nothing exotic at all, but I remember thinking that even though there were a number of better speakers available, these had promise and were an excellent first effort. I subsequently bought into the Hales line and never looked back, but i remember fondly this first encounter. Having heard many of Merlin's later itineration's, I can definitely say that the high end hobby lost a great designer with excellent ears when Bobby passed. RIP Bobby Palkovich.

 

[MadFloyd]

Very sad news. I did meet him at RMAF a few years ago. I didn't think he was very old so I'm assuming he fell ill?

 

[DaveyF]

Actually, I think Bobby tragically took his own life.

 

[LL21]

Yes, that is what it says on the Audio Beat news brief. Very sad.

 

[marty]

I am truly saddened. I cut my high end teeth working at Paul Heath Audio in Rochester during college in the early 70s. And of course, Bobby was sort of a local legend. In fact, he and Paul lived not that far apart outside the city and I believe enjoyed good rapport. He not only produced some fine, award-winning speakers at a modest price, but was an innovative designer who truly enjoyed interacting with his clientele. He was also a willing educator and engaged his detractors with equal commitment and without apology. He was indeed a widely recognized gentleman of the high end audio community. RIP, Bobby.
Marty

 

[scouter]

I bought a pair of Merlins from Taylor House in 1988. Went to buy Vandys, but the top end was sweeter on the Merlins at that point in time. I had the speakers for almost 20 years- a testimony to their quality, as I moved them from house to house 5 times. In the end, gave them to my nephew in law, who sold them to his brother. ( Should have known from that he would be the type to divorce my niece a couple of years later!). Those speakers were responsible for many of my friends becoming audiophiles. Sad to hear of his passing.