I'm working on installing a Merlin II system in my home, I have all the voice terminals and console, but need a few system cards. Looking on eBay, it seems that the card for 4 lines/8 stations, has the same name (408) on both the Merlin II, Legend and Magix. I know that some Merlin II successors stopped using 4 pair for the stations. So I'm searching on ebay, and descriptions are not often the best; is the "408" card for the Merlin II and Merlin Legend interchangeable? Also, is the main carrier, and the extension carrier interchangeable? Thanks for any help.

If I am reading correctly what John Shelton wrote in his "Overview of Merlin Phone Systems" (1/18/2004) there are two 408 boards that should be usable with the Merlin II. The first is the 408 LS/ATL with codes 517A1 through 517D1. The other model is the 408 GS/LS which has codes 517A26 through 517D26.

While the ATL was the dominant phone found with older Merlin systems, a digital model was created for the Merlin II.

The only 408 that is supported by the Magix are the two MLX variants. ATL sets and cards are not supported by the Magix.

Would installing a Merlin Legend as opposed to a Merlin II be doable? Lots of MLX sets & cards on the aftermarket and the R7 V14.2 processor supports Caller ID as well as voicemail.

Hi, Your suggestion of the Legend turned out to be great! I spent half a day researching the Legend forums and reading tons of manuals. Then I spent an hour on eBay building my system. Lots of quirks to watch out for, such as the processor model and cards it can support, caller id, and what cards are interchangeable with the Merlin II. Turned out I spent a little over $300 in card purchases and one set to do the programming. Everything should arrive in next 2 weeks, then fun starts! I'll be posting my results.