My Last Purchase?

[prepress]

Bought the iMac; should be delivered Monday. Then, I saw a Steve Guttenberg review of the Technics 1200G on his "Audiophiliac" channel. In it, there was a GORGEOUS photo of the JC3+ when discussing the equipment. I think I'm hooked, and looking for a way to afford the JC3+. Trouble.

[prepress]

The best way to deal with these types of things is to let them sit sometimes. It came to me yesterday that a new phono preamp isn't an urgent or necessary thing since, as some have mentioned, the C2300's phono section is pretty good. Plus, I'm not playing records much; a new phono pre would change that only temporarily perhaps, and having one might be a redundancy of sorts.

I have therefore just ordered a SweetVinyl SC-1 Mini. There are older records here that could use its help, and the device offers greater system utility. This doesn't mean the phono pre is off my radar permanently, but it is for this year at least. I think. Other ideas are swirling in my head, like replacing my Sanus equipment racks with Salamanders, considering trading my current TT for the one I wanted initially, a Pro-Ject Xtension or a Technics; and a total pipe dream, speakers. That last one would be tough, but I'll contemplate it anyway; I already have a short list.

I've also set a limit on how far down I can take my checking account. I am currently $5K above that limit; the SC-1 Mini will take a chunk of that. I'm sure as well if I let everything sit with me rather than try to figure it out I'll get to the proper conclusion.

[njcardave]

DS Audio DS-E1 cartridge and transformer. Optical phono cartridge. This is the entry level. I encourage anyone looking for a new setup to give this a listen.

[George Prentice]

I remember doing my last upgrades before I retired. I wanted to have everything in order to be sure no additional expenditures were required. So, I retired. I managed my finances carefully for the first couple years… and realized I could do the most significant upgrade I have ever done. So, I was able to double my investment in my system by investing an additional $80K.

Three years later, three hours a day enjoying my system… I am really happy.

You are doing the right thing… the right attitude. Hopefully you will find yourself in a great position after retirement to upgrade again.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by George Prentice

I remember doing my last upgrades before I retired. I wanted to have everything in order to be sure no additional expenditures were required. So, I retired. I managed my finances carefully for the first couple years… and realized I could do the most significant upgrade I have ever done. So, I was able to double my investment in my system by investing an additional $80K.

Three years later, three hours a day enjoying my system… I am really happy.

You are doing the right thing… the right attitude. Hopefully you will find yourself in a great position after retirement to upgrade again.

Things seem to have worked out well for you, and you're enjoying your system even more. I'm hoping for the same, whatever configuration I have.

The only thing I'd want to do once retired is repair or replace as needed; if I could swing an upgrade that made sense though, then yes, I'd go for it. The key would be "that made sense." I'm already at a place of satisfaction with my 501s; if anything, I'd downsize them because of my inability to manage them physically. My speakers had their 30th anniversary in February and are still going strong, but I am scouting possible replacements despite not having the money at the moment; I have a shortlist already. The phono preamp idea I started with is still not off the table completely, though it's a want not a need. And at the job, a new contract means a raise, though I might not see the money until next year; that could influence what I do as well.

An unfortunate note: the SC-1 Mini I ordered arrived with something rattling around inside it. Could be something came loose or is broken, or a nut or screw fell into it at the factory. I'm in the process of exchanging it for a new one.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by prepress

Things seem to have worked out well for you, and you're enjoying your system even more. I'm hoping for the same, whatever configuration I have.

The only thing I'd want to do once retired is repair or replace as needed; if I could swing an upgrade that made sense though, then yes, I'd go for it. The key would be "that made sense." I'm already at a place of satisfaction with my 501s; if anything, I'd downsize them because of my inability to manage them physically. My speakers had their 30th anniversary in February and are still going strong, but I am scouting possible replacements despite not having the money at the moment; I have a shortlist already. The phono preamp idea I started with is still not off the table completely, though it's a want not a need. And at the job, a new contract means a raise, though I might not see the money until next year; that could influence what I do as well.

An unfortunate note: the SC-1 Mini I ordered arrived with something rattling around inside it. Could be something came loose or is broken, or a nut or screw fell into it at the factory. I'm in the process of exchanging it for a new one.

Music Direct fixed the problem with the SC-1 Mini and will return it to me; i gave the okay for them to do so. It will be interesting to hook it up and see what happens when I play a scratchy LP; I expect it to sound better!

[prepress]

So I got back the repaired SC-1 Mini today. Surprise—it's not fixed. I have sent Music Direct an e-mail asking for another unit or a refund.

This is unfortunate, as I'm not working with two hands due to surgery last week on my right arm and will have to carry the the box 3 blocks to the UPS drop-off location. This is the first time I'd bought equipment from MD; depending upon the reply to my e-mail, it may be the last time.

UPDATE: heard back from MD, and I'm going with the refund since they don't have any more SC-1 units and I don't trust them to fix this one now.

[prepress]

The SD-1 Mini is on its way back to MD. In the meantime I went for an exercise walk, and stopped in a couple of record stores. I purchased the following:

Barbara Lea—Lea in Love
Willie Bobo—Latin Beat
Sergio Mendes—In the Key of Joy
Miles Davis & Milt Jackson—Quintet / Sextet
Berlin Philharmonic / Simon Rattle, Kristin Zimmerman (piano)
—Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1

Who knows when I'll play them?

[prepress]

Heard from Amex. The credit has been applied to my account. I went out and bought more LPs, 7 over the last two days:

Charlie Daniels Band—Off the Grid: Doin' It with Dylan
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers—Moanin', The Big Beat
Gal Costa—India
Pink Floyd—The Wall (James Guthrie remaster)
Willie Bobo—Bobo's Beat
Bill Evans—At the Montreaux Jazz Festival

I'm going to need a new printer, as there aren't upgraded drivers available for my current printer, so I can't print from the newer iMac. My last (audio) purchase may have to wait a bit longer. I already bought a new scanner. I prefer to keep the scanner and printer separate, as opposed to getting a multifunction printer, and I've picked one that has drivers for both iMacs, Ventura and Catalina.

[prepress]

It seems to have come down to three options. New phono pre, new equipment racks, new speakers.

Phono Pre: The Parasound JC3+ reared its head again recently. Maybe the least necessary of the three options but I've seen a price drop and that makes it an option (unless the price drop goes away).

Equipment racks: Salamander Synergys to replace my Sanus Euros. The synergy racks are more stable. I haven't decided which finish, but it would be a Synergy double and two singles. Previously the base design would be a little over $2K plus tax and delivery.

Speakers: The new Martin Logan XT-F200s. Been researching them heavily. Not that I don't like my Mirages, but they're 30 years old and I might not be able to replace them with anything comparable if they quit on me once I'm retired. Plus the F200s might be a better fit for my room. The Mirages are bipolar and are limited by the room; the soundstage is nowhere as deep as it was when I auditioned them at the store. The F200s seem like they'd do a better job in that regard, but at $5500 (MSRP) they're a bit of a stretch.

Will update if something significant occurs.