Merrill

Merrill Origins

The origins of the Merrill audio company, manufacturer of Heirloom turntables, can be traced back to George Merrill’s passion for sound reproduction and his work with Acoustic Research (AR) turntables in the 1970s. In 1974, George Merrill started experimenting with AR turntables, developing methods and tests to verify his modifications. This led to the creation of AR modifications, which gained popularity and financial success.

In 1978, George Merrill designed the Merrill Heirloom turntable as an extension of his previous work and experimentation with AR turntables. The Heirloom was the first turntable to use acrylics and a periphery clamping ring, and it also featured a dedicated motor controller for enhanced speed accuracy, fluid damping, and other unique features to control resonances and manage energy dissipation. The Heirloom was produced until around 1996 and was known for its lifelike sound, transparency, and open midrange.

In 2002, George Merrill collaborated with Anthony Scillia to create the Merrill-Scillia Research MS-21 and MS-2 turntables, which incorporated the original Heirloom design with innovative 21st-century materials and manufacturing methods.