2. amps-preamps
  3. 127127-90011

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

Showing 3 responses by cdn38

cdn38 OP
4 posts
 
The room for now is a bit of an odd size, 10' x 20' with 7' ceiling, so about 1400 cubic feet, carpeted floor. Potential in a year or two for a home reno, at which point I will have a dedicated listening room roughly the same 10' x 20, but 10' ceiling. Hence, the plan for listening now, and renew in a couple years

Most of the listening I'll be doing with these will be jazz, blues, some classical. Rock wise, Pink Floyd, and similar types Alan Parsons, so on.  From what I understand, they not a heavy rock type speaker. I'm after imaging, clear sound at medium volume.

Source will be CD for the foreseeable future.
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.
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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