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Looking for recommendations - vintage amp & preamp to go with Ohm Walsh 2's

After 20+ years of not owning anything that qualifies as being beyond being an entry level "home theatre in a box", I'm going to go back to my 80's roots in "hi-fi" I have picked up a pair of Ohm Walsh 2's in very good condition, and now am looking for an amp, preamp. I think I need a reasonable amount of power as from what I understand, the Walsh isn't the most efficient speaker.

I'm wanting to start out with something that's better than I have now (LOL... which is nothing) Found a Carver TFM-25 Paired with CT-17 Preamp, which seems like a descent deal just under $400 for starting out, Would expect that should be a fairly good combination based purely on specs on paper.

Eventuality is to upgrade the drivers in the Ohm's with the Super Walsh 2.2, and then start looking at upgrading the amp & preamp.

Seem like a good plan to start? Would be interested to hear options/opinions for amp & preamp based on the speaker set up. Wanting to keep to the vintage 80's equipment.


cdn38
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Hi cdn38

In my experience with my Ohm Walsh 3000s or Ohm Walsh Micro Walsh Short SEs I found that a vintage Sansui AU-517 got them to sing really well. Deeper bass and very good mids and highs. With an Oppo DV980 as a source and in my smaller rooms the Sansui/Ohm combination was great.
cdn38 OP
4 posts
 
The driver upgrade for the speakers is in the plan. It's a $1400 upgrade, and to do it first out would be great, but then I would have these nice speakers all ready to go and nothing to hook them up to. Not enough in the budget at this point to do the speakers, AND get components. It's going to have to be one step at a time. That was my thinking behind the Carver set up for under $400, it's got enough power, and it's an extremely low starting cost. Again, my first goal is to get something to actually listen to, as I am starting from ground zero.

Once the drivers are replaced, then I could start replacing components with upgraded ones. All the while, I actually would have something to listen to.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,333 posts
 
The carver gear is fine to start.  I had it for many years.   

If if you have lively floors with some give I'd set the Walsh 2s  on an isolating platform to keep the bass under control and not obscure the rest.   The bottom ports in particular  can interact heavily with floors.    Try it without then with maybe.  

You can make a platform from covered bricks or something similar for very little.   I use Auralex subdude platforms under my Walsh 2s.  They are perfect for those.   Will cost about $100 pair on Amazon.  
waxwaves's avatar
waxwaves
206 posts
 
I used Ohm Walsh 3 for a good period of time and really enjoyed them. I think jedinite24 is on target with the Sansui AU-517 integrated amp recommendation. The AU-717 would also be a good choice IMO. Last but not least, I think that a McIntosh MA6200 would be great with your Ohms. Good luck and have fun with it. Ohms certainly are fun to listen to and a great bargain in the audio world.
cdn38 OP
4 posts
 
The flooring should work out pretty well, its a concrete floor with a short pile carpet and underlay. If it seems to be soaking up to much of the sound I'll make some platforms for them from MDF, and maybe experiment with some different coverings. 

Speakers arrive in a week, and I have yet to pull the trigger on the components.... but I'm really excited about getting this all put together.
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