July 2026

World Premiere Review!
Merrill Audio Element 116MX Review: High-End Monoblock Power Amplifiers With Exceptional Clarity & Dynamics
Our exclusive In-depth listening tests reveals the 116MX's exceptionally low noise floor, expansive immersive soundscape, and reference-level transparency.
Review By Tom Lyle

  In this review, I will describe and sonically examine Merrill Audio's Element 116MX monoblock power amplifiers. Given the number of Merrill Audio reviews I have written over the past decade, I suppose some may accuse me of favoritism. I'm often chosen to review their components simply because I live close to their factory. As a bonus, they can deliver their products personally and then help me set them up, rather than simply shipping them to me.

The Element 116X Amplifier
The Element 116MX is Merrill Audio's newest component, and the most powerful and most pricey amplifier I've reviewed from them. It is a significant upgrade over their earlier Element 116 (sans MX), which Dr. Michael Bump reviewed in the summer of 2019 in Enjoy The Music. In this very positive review, he remarked that the Element 116 "delivers some of the best amplification anywhere."

Merrill Audio claims that the Element 116MX "offers greater clarity, detail, and dynamic range." But honestly, that is exactly what impressed me when I reviewed Merrill Audio's much less expensive $4,800 Thor monoblocks in 2105. But everything is relative; the Element 116MXs monoblocks are in a completely different league. I was told by Merrill Audio that the Element 116MX even surpasses Merrill Audio's Element 110, which I reviewed only two years ago. In its review, I proclaimed this amplifier as a "significant achievement." So, one could understand why I was looking forward to hearing the 116MX monoblocks.

Attractive
It is difficult not to notice the Element 116MX's large, very attractive full-color capacitive LED touchscreen display on its front panel. This capacitive touchscreen responds to the electrical properties of one's finger, making it more sensitive and accurate than older touchscreens. Each amplifier has a 7-inch screen, upgraded from the older 116's 5-inch version. This screen lets the listener adjust the VU meter settings, operate the amp's mute, and control the screen's brightness, among other features. It's a full color screen, and in my opinion, the display on each monoblock looks outstanding.

More importantly, Merrill Audio claims that the 116MX's sound quality is now "closer to that of the mighty top-of-the-line Element 118 due to improvements in its power supply, power filtration, and input stage." I reviewed these huge monoblocks in 2018, calling these 400 Watt monoblocks a "transparent, very powerful, refined, good-looking, but admittedly pricey brute."

According to Merrill Audio, these improvements, compared to the older models, lead to greater sustained bass power. Its power-supply improvements have reduced background noise, and its input-stage improvements provide better response and faster transients. Also, Merrill says that this allows for longer interconnect cables thanks to its high input impedance.

Website
On any high-end audio equipment manufacturer's website, one might expect to read through some advertising hyperbole, besides reading the specifications of a component or a speaker system. I'm not saying that the Merrill Audio Element 116MX webpages contain only hype; they don't. But beyond the understandable amount of hype, Merrill has a way with words.

For example, they compare these amplifiers to musical instruments. They describe them as having "an emotional sinew that is analogous in every case to the art which flows through their meticulously crafted circuits." They continue in this almost lyrical manner, so I would recommend this website as both informative and a good read. Regardless, I'm reviewing a pair of Merrill Audio high-end audio monoblocks, not the Merrill website!

Cabinets
The cabinets of the 116MXs are very impressive looking. On its website, Merrill Audio continues its eloquent language about its cabinets, saying that "We design the Element 116MX Power Monoblock Amplifiers to be beautiful, a showpiece that looks as good as its best in the world of performance." The main body of the amplifiers is finished in gloss "pearl black." The description of these amps on the Merrill website continues with their evocative style, saying that the cabinet has a "beveled rose gold fascia, that includes a vertical ‘V' profile that is precision cut into channels that frame a subtly outlined engraved center space in which the artfully radiused, deeply recessed LCD is framed."

The rear panel of each Element 116MX monoblock has two pairs of robust WBT speaker binding posts. These are complemented by gleaming rhodium-plated power cord connectors. While rhodium commands a premium, Merrill highlights on their website that this durable material "is what we require in our design."

For this reason, Merrill Audio has a 20-amp power inlet. The 20-amp power inlets have a tighter connection, is stronger and able to tightly hold heavy power cords as compared to the 15amp inlets. Since the amp itself does not draw a lot of current, this inlet is one refinement done for better connections and hence better sound. It leads to better dynamic response, tighter bass, and also reduces the chance of the amp shutting down during very high signal peaks.

Reference
My reference power amps are also a pair of monoblocks, the Pass Laboratories X600.8, which has a list price nearly identical to the Merrill Audio Element 116MX monoblocks.

Even though I have reviewed and heard many amplifiers like these Class D Merrill monoblocks, still, the hefty looking, elegantly designed Merrill Element 116MX monoblocks weigh almost three times less than my reference. But in contrast, the 116MX's cabinets remained cool regardless of how loud I listened, while my reference monoblocks could easily double as space heaters. The Element 116MX's output into 8 Ohms is 300 Watts. My Pass Labs monoblocks are rated at 600 Watts and are Class AB amps, operating in Class A for the first 10-50 Watts, then Class AB.

The Element 116MX cabinets are compact and don't weigh very much, considering that they are 300 Watt monoblocks into 8 Ohms. Class D design means high efficiency, lower heat output, and a smaller size. Each unit weighs only 44 pounds and measures about 22 inches wide, 10 inches tall, and 22 inches deep.

Audition
Early in the audition period, I spun Kraftwerk's The Mix album through the Qobuz streaming app on my iPad. This album is a sort of "best of" compilation, though all the selections were rerecorded by the band in 1991. I've often used the first track, "The Robots," when beginning the review period of a new component. This track was an excellent test of how the Merrill Element 116MX handled the track's frequency extremes, as well as many other sonic traits of these monoblocks.

I wasn't listening to "The Robots" to hear how close the Element 116MX came to sounding like "the real thing" since there are zero acoustic instruments on the entire album. But this track let me quickly hear the overall sound of these monoblocks, especially how well they handled separating sounds in the crowded soundstage Kraftwerk created on many of its tracks, including this one.

I was able to raise the volume on "The Robots" to what I consider a realistic level, in other words, loud, with absolutely no audible distortion at peak levels, and my preamp's volume didn't come close to its maximum setting. "The Robots" on The Mix opened with a synth bassline, and before long, a second bassline with a different timbre joined it. The Merrill Element 116MX not only separated the two basslines but also showcased these monoblocks' excellent bass response, a trait I've heard in many Class D amplifiers. When I raised the volume, the lowest bass frequencies shook the room's window frames and my gut.

The Merrill monoblocks had a radiant sound. My speakers came to life, creating a soundstage that cast a cloudlike aura around them, extending far behind them and to their sides. Although the Merrill monoblocks sounded a tad brighter and had more detail and contrast than my reference monoblocks, their presentation also sounded a bit forward. I am not trying to be negative; I just wasn't accustomed to their sound. These amps had tons of detail without sounding etched; instead, these traits let me explore the 116MX's huge soundstage depth and gave me the sensation of peering into the recording. The Merrill Audio 116MX amps stand out for clarity and detail.

Contender
Choosing my favorite symphony is nearly impossible, but a contender for mid-twentieth-century British orchestral music is the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams' Sinfonia Antart. Vaughn Williams gave his seventh symphony an Italian title as a stylistic choice. The title translates to Antarctic Symphony, and major portions of the symphony were used as the soundtrack for the film Scott of the Antarctic, about Robert Scott's fateful polar expedition.

I first discovered this LP in the 1990s, when many people were dumping their vinyl for CDs. That was when I found the EMI pressing of this symphony in nearly perfect condition. It was recorded in 1969 and conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, who was present at its premiere. I've heard other versions, but this remains my favorite.

Besides sounding very modern for a popular symphony, I'm a sucker for a symphony that contains either a choir or a pipe organ. This symphony has both. The choir appears in both the second and the final movements, and the organ appears in the third movement. Plus, many might be surprised. Many of Vaughan Williams' works are not sedate snooze-fests, especially this symphony, and especially not the third movement that morphs into the fourth, the second side of the EMI vinyl.

Thanks to the Element 116MX's enveloping soundstage, I felt as if I could see into the multi-layered, detailed sound and point to the different instruments and sections of the ensemble. This was true even during the explosive third and fourth movements that make up the climactic portion of the symphony. This section describes the adversaries that Scott encountered, which led to Scott's demise.

Although no home audio system can replicate the sound of a large orchestra and hall, for example, the 50-foot proscenium of the concert hall stage, the Merrill Element 116MX monoblocks placed me in the 10th row of Kingsway Hall in London, where they created a vivid sonic picture of the orchestra, the choir, and the pipe organ.

Above all, Merrill Element 116MX's midrange was extremely transparent. The upper strings sounded plush and inviting, as the London Philharmonic in the 1960s was a talented group of musicians, including the masterfully sounding string section. The Element 116MX monoblocks enveloped me in a luxurious string sound, revealed the musicians' talent, and drew me further into the music.

Considering
If one is considering these $30,000 Merrill Audio MX116MX monoblocks, one should obviously discuss spending this kind of cash with one's partner. I also suggest, depending on where one lives, auditioning them. I also encourage that both of you read about these monoblocks on Merrill Audio's excellent website.

As a bonus to the extraordinary sound quality of the Merrill Audio Element 116MX monoblocks is their stunning exterior. If one does not have a dedicated listening room, anyone considering their appropriateness to one's home decor can rest easy. They will suit even the most extravagantly designed homes.

I give the Merrill Audio Element 116MX my highest recommendation.

Associated Equipment
Analog Front-End: Basis Audio Model V turntable, Tri-Planar 6 tonearm, Lyra Atlas Lambda phono cartridge, Pass Laboratories XP-22 dual-chassis phono preamplifier

Digital Front-End: Computer-based music server, Simaudio Moon 681 DAC/Streamer, OPPO UDP-203 Blu-Ray/universal disc player

Linestage: Nagra Preamp II-S with PSU power supply and VFS isolation platform
Power Supply: Stromtank S-2500 battery power supply.
Loudspeakers: Raidho TD 4.2
Subwoofers: SVS SB160Ultra (pair)

Cables:
Interconnects: Kimber Kable Carbon 8 between DAC and linestage, Crystal Cable Microdiamond 2 between disc player and linestage, Ansuz DTC3 between phono preamp and linestage, MIT Shotgun S3.3 between monoblocks and linestage.

Loudspeaker cable: Kimber Carbon 18XL
Digital: Accusound Digital Link
USB: Wireworld Platinum

Specifications
Type: Solid-state monoblock amplifier
Power Rating: 300 Watts @ 8 Ohms, 600W @ 4 Ohms, and 1200W @ 2 Ohms
Signal to Noise Ratio: 110 dB
Gain: 26 dB
Input: XLR Balanced Input (Merrill Audio Custom XLR)
Speaker Binding Posts: WBT 0710 CuMc, Accepts Bananas, Spaces, and Wire 
Power AC: 20 Amp AC Inlet, Rhodium Plated Inlet
Footers: GAiA II from Isoacoustics
Dimensions: 16.9" x 4.3" x 16.5" (WxHxD)
Weight: 44 lbs.
Price: $30,000 per pair

Manufacturer
PEMerrill Audio Advanced Technology Labs, LLC
208 Lenox Ave Unit 416
Westfield, NJ 07090

Voice: (415) 562-4434
E-mail: sales-123@merrillaudio.net 
Website: MerrillAudio.net