$1,500 Amp budget - Best options?

Seconding Jl35 on Odyssey. (Though I didn't know "fiends" were into audio.;) Various models can be had for your pricepoint or considerably less. Klaus is a good guy who offers great service on used pieces. He's often able to upgrade/update older pieces: eg, you might find a used Stratos here or on AC for less than 1k, and the seller could send it to Klaus for upgrades and then on to you, and you'd come out with an updated, factory serviced, piece at your pricepoint. This was the arrangement when I sold my Stratos Dual Mono, which I used happily for 6 years. If the B&Ws like a bit of of juice (as I seem to remember they do), Odyessey a top option.

John

Second the C-J MF 2500

Yes John, those MS4's somehow got from my living room, to that fiend's basement! (though maybe I remember carrying them down the stairs...)

I second the ODYSSEY option. My KISMET mono amps have been great for the price, and the C4 signatures like them. The STRATOS line is a real good value, and should fall in your price range. I too looked for good amps at a reasonable price, and took the ODYSSEY route.

The Emotiva XPA-2 has the power to drive them.