Good budget amp for Mirage M1

I'm a long time owner of Mirage floorstanding speakers, including a pair of M5si's I've had for 16 years. You definitely want both power and current, and large gauge cable going to the woofer inputs. I use a 6-gauge cable run to my bi-wirable M5si's. I'd use *at least* 12-gauge wire with the M1s.

The factory specs for the M1 indicate a sensitivity of 83 dB. This is *low*. You need to aim for the most power and current you can get at your budget, preferably high current amps in the 150-200 wpc neighborhood. You can find used high current, high power amps within your budget from Adcom, Parasound, Rotel, older PS Audio, and--as mentioned--Aragon.

If you're willing to go a bit above budget, you can get a new warranteed pair of 200-watt Outlaw Audio M2200 monoblocks for $700.

I just remembered: They aren't nearly as common as used Adcoms, but a *really good* amp well within your budget is the Heathkit AA-1600. I use one of these to power a pair of Mirage OMD-15s and it's marvelous. It's rated at 120 wpc but I think it's actually more like 180. It weighs 41 lbs which is more in keeping with a high current 150-180 wpc amp and it acts and sounds like it.

I picked mine up in very good condition just last summer for $239 at a retail hi-fi store. That's about what they go for on eBay. Even better is its high-powered big brother, the AA-1800. Those go for more like $600-750 but are easily worth it. Very well built, really good-sounding, fast and articulate without being edgy. The AA-1800 was rated at 250 wpc but typically puts out 350.

04-09-12: Doug99
The M1's need a lot of power. ...Look to the Emotiva XPA-2. This amp lists for $800 and is built like a tank. It weighs like 75 pounds and is high current with a really good sound.

Yes. That's an even better suggestion than the Outlaw monoblocks I mentioned. 100 wpc more for only an extra $100. Right now they're on backorder but worth the wait. Given that the 1st-gen M1s weren't bi-ampable (except by special order), a fast 300 wpc high current stereo amp is a good idea.

Also, carver is a name I came across with some rather powerful amps for relatively low price. The amps tend to be on the lighter side though (<20lbs). Would anyone recommend this brand to drive the M1's?

Go with the Heathkit AA-1600 or AA-1800. I've used a fairly beefy high current Carver P175 and currently use a Heathkit AA-1600. The Heathkit is crazy good for the money and has an engaging combination of crunt, current, and very musical, non-clinical neutrality. Good resolution for the money too.