My Last Purchase?

[mulveling]

If you like a warm tubed phono stage, I prefer $1200 Hagerman Trumpet MC over ~$3K phonos like Rogue Ares Magnum and Herron VTPH-2A (though the Herron will be the better match for a darker system). It's flexible enough to match any MM or MC cartridge. I've run it with $230 Ortofon 2M Blue all the way to Koetsu Coralstone Diamond, and have always been pleasantly surprised at the results. The best I've heard my Benz LPS (still, to this day) is on this cheap little phono stage. It hangs better with the ~ $15K phono stages than it has any right to (mainly ceding in a bit higher noise floor at the highest MC gain, but NEVER any hum thankfully).

[prepress]

There is a new wrinkle to this saga and, like the $2.3K bank bill I'd forgotten about, comes something else I'd forgotten about, and to a much greater degree.

Part of a contract negotiation between my union and employer is a check for back pay, going back several years in fact. That check is supposed to come next week, and if my calculations are anywhere close (I based them on my regular paycheck), I could be looking at as much as $8K after taxes and other deductions. More than enough to cover the glasses, mattress, and the two trips, with some left over. The phonostage might be back in the mix sooner than I thought.

On the other hand, the local rent guidelines board is poised to authorize a rent hike on rent-stabilized apartments at the next meeting in October, and it could be the largest in years, even double digits (this is NYC after all; shouldn't be a surprise). That would take effect with my next lease, a year away. Maybe I'll wait to see what happens with THAT. Still, it won't stop the research on a potential new phonostage just yet.

[miner]

The C2300 has a formidable phono stage. Enjoy it in the meantime. You have a fantastic analog front end.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by miner

The C2300 has a formidable phono stage. Enjoy it in the meantime. You have a fantastic analog front end.

This is a good idea, especially since that retro paycheck isn't as big as I thought it would be. Instead of near $8K, it's only a little over $6.3K. Still enough to cover the glasses, mattress, and the 2 trips, but not enough for the phonostage, at least at this point. I have an eye exam scheduled tomorrow, my first in 4 years. If I'm told I don't need a new prescription, great; I could just get a frame that my current lenses will fit. If not, well, then new glasses altogether. The first step in this scenario is to see how much damage the glasses will do.

[prepress]

Ok, the glasses did $1234.16 of damage, but that includes a second pair as a backup. Next up is the mattress. Must be methodical about this.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Originally Posted by prepress

Ok, the glasses did $1234.16 of damage, but that includes a second pair as a backup. Next up is the mattress. Must be methodical about this.

We prefer Saatva mattresses if you like an adjustable mattress. If you want to stay with a standard design try Purple.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Jack in Wilmington

We prefer Saatva mattresses if you like an adjustable mattress. If you want to stay with a standard design try Purple.

I've heard of Saatva. How are they with back support? That's a prime concern for me.

Another concern is that my computer is starting to misbehave. It's an iMac, and the dock doesn't always show up when I start it. I have to go into System Preferences/Dock to get it to show. Could it be on its way out? That would definitely kill any thoughts of a phono preamp, at least anytime soon.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Originally Posted by prepress

I've heard of Saatva. How are they with back support? That's a prime concern for me.

Another concern is that my computer is starting to misbehave. It's an iMac, and the dock doesn't always show up when I start it. I have to go into System Preferences/Dock to get it to show. Could it be on its way out? That would definitely kill any thoughts of a phono preamp, at least anytime soon.

Like Sleep Number you can adjust the firmness by letting more air into the chambers and dial in what's right for you. I would say that most people spend more time on their mattress than listening to their stereo, so it should be addressed.

[clpetersen]

[QUOTE=prepress;1074446]
Another concern is that my computer is starting to misbehave. It's an iMac, and the dock doesn't always show up when I start it. I have to go into System Preferences/Dock to get it to show. Could it be on its way out? [QUOTE]

Cannot comment on the mattress, but a hidden dock is standard on a Mac. Just hover the cursor near the bottom and it should appear. You can change this behavior in System Settings to be always visible.

Nothing wrong with the computer!

[prepress]

[QUOTE=clpetersen;1074506][QUOTE=prepress;1074446]
Another concern is that my computer is starting to misbehave. It's an iMac, and the dock doesn't always show up when I start it. I have to go into System Preferences/Dock to get it to show. Could it be on its way out?

Cannot comment on the mattress, but a hidden dock is standard on a Mac. Just hover the cursor near the bottom and it should appear. You can change this behavior in System Settings to be always visible.

Nothing wrong with the computer!

This is a recent occurrence so I wasn't sure what was going on, having never seen it until recently. Occasionally the dock isn't there at startup, and I was wondering. May still go for a new iMac, as this one's 11 years old. Better check the settings to be sure, even though I never changed them.