"Budget" amp for original Amazings

I just bought a pair of original Amazings. I understand that they require a high power/high current amp that is stable at a 1-2 ohm load. I'm currently unemployed and probably shouldn't have bought the speakers, I already have a pair of Silver ALS, but I couldn't pass them up ($600). So, now I need an amp. The biggest amp that I have is a Hafler DH-500 (250 wattts @8 ohms/400 @ 4 ohms). I'm fond of vintage stuff, I'm sort of vintage myself. What is the most "cost effective" way for me to power these? I have a 12X20' listening area with 8' ceilings. I listen to rock music, sort of loud. I realize I'm asking for a lot, but I can't afford Silver 7t's or 9t's. I appreciate any and all suggestions? Thanks to all who answered my last post. Bob

What is your maximum budget including shipping?

I'd like to do it for what I paid for the speakers, $600. Maybe after the holidays, things will get better job wise and I can get more serious about an amp. I realize that that wont buy much, but I'm on a budget and I'm not in a hurry. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Man, that's a tight budget. What I would do is bide your time and wait for a deal to present itself on a pair of 9t's or 7t's. Mr Carver built them specifically to power those speakers since not many amps could handle that kind of load. If you can hold out even longer and pull up even more cash, consider a Sunfire or Lightstar amp.

All of the aforementioned amps will power them correctly, the Lightstar being the top choice for sound quality.

Man...unemployed at the holidays...what a bummer!!! I think I would take Trietz 3's advice to wait. 1) you need more $$$ to get what you really need 2) with no money coming in, the last thing I know I would be doing is looking to spend $$$ on amps and stereo equipment. Things will get better!!! Keep the faith!!!

IMO you will need at least a Sunfire 300~2 to drive them since you like to listen to your music loud.

They can be had at your budget. I saw two go this month for that price. One on ebay and the other on audiogon for just over $600 but they normally go for over $800.

If you really must buy someting, and I know how much it is killing you to have those speakers sitting there without an amp, you could buy a TFM 45, TFM 55 or a M1.5t. I know were you can get the M1.5t for well below your budget price and later you can sell it to pay for something bigger.

The M1.5t will not power the original Amazings properly. They will play, mind you .....but nowhere near what you would want them played at. Even an old fart would agree.

I know, I've tried it.

IF you just want something cheap to get by with until "your ship comes in", you might consider a new Behringer amp at ~350 w/c for something like under $300. I know someone who "auditioned" a bunch of "average" amps using a web site that had FREE 30 day trial on anything and he said that the Behringer (don't remember the exact model number but it one of the ~350 w/c ones) was heads above anything else he auditioned (with his Klips)...

The M1.5t will not power the original Amazings properly. They will play, mind you .....but nowhere near what you would want them played at. Even an old fart would agree.

I know, I've tried it.

I hear you on this not being ideal amp for these speakers. With what he can afford what would else could he use?

I already mentioned them. That is, if you want to stay with Carver based products. Beyond that? Good luck and happy hunting......

Grab a 1.5t to give then some play. Save for the 7t's then sell the 1.5t. How is that for a plan? Or, save longer for a TFM-75.

Hey, you guys (girls?) are great! You gave me a variety of options; just what I was looking for. So, the M-1.5t will power these to moderate volumes without melting down? They seem to be moderately priced. Somebody on here had one to sell. How much? I'll wait until after Christmas and see how the money goes, but that looks like a good option. I've had experience with low impedence speakers (Infinity RS-II's, great speakers) and know what they can do to an amp. My brother has Infinity Kappa 9's and, after several amps, had to finally buy a Krell KSA-250. It works great. It should for what he had to pay for it. I don't really need for them to get too loud as I have several pairs of speakers in my listening room, including a pair of ALS Silvers, already going. I'm sort of a stereo collector/nut, as opposed to a true audiophile. I like to build "Frankenstereos" out of various combinations of equipment. I have a lot of vintage stuff from the 70's and 80's. I still have a lot of Quadraphonic equipment ( Sansui QRX-9001 pushing 4 big EPI speakers). Anybody on here remember those? They still sound quite good. It's my bedroom set-up now. I'm very happily divorced. Can you see why? Thanks, Bob

PM beemers417. He has an audio shop and he has a M1.5 in stock.

www.vintagehifishop.com

How about the M-500t? You guessed it, I like VU meters. They seem to be reasonable and I was reading about the Mk II upgrade option. Will it handle the low impedence loads of my Amazings? Also, will the old Phase Linears handle this load? Thanks, Bob

I don't think the M-500t has the balls for the original Amazing ribbons. Maybe if you had a pair of them bi-amped with an active crossover in front of them so they wouldn't have to amplify the entire audio spectrum, they might do.