Merrill-Williams

Merrill-Williams Origins

The origins of Merrill-Williams Audio, the manufacturer of the R.E.A.L. 101 turntable, can be traced back to George Merrill’s early work in the audio industry. In the 1970s, Merrill was the owner and operator of an audio salon in Memphis, Tennessee, called Underground Sound. His interest in turntable design, particularly in the areas of energy management and isolation, led to the creation of successful upgrades for legacy AR turntables.

Merrill’s innovative work continued with the development of the Heirloom turntable, which was known for its use of acrylics and plastics for major components like the platter, motor pulley, and suspended sub-chassis. This was a departure from traditional materials and set a new standard for turntable design.

In 2002, Merrill collaborated with Anthony Scillia to create the Merrill-Scillia Research MS-21, which further refined the Heirloom design with aerospace-grade materials and advanced spring suspensions. The MS-21 was highly praised for its performance, despite its pedestrian appearance.

The Merrill-Williams Audio company was formed when George Merrill partnered with Robert Williams to develop the R.E.A.L. 101 turntable. This collaboration aimed to address the limitations of previous designs by introducing a new approach to energy management and isolation, using a patented rubber elastomer acoustic laminate (R.E.A.L.) technology. The R.E.A.L. 101 turntable represents a significant advancement in turntable design, offering improved clarity, transparency, and detail retrieval.