Search found 38 matches

by ttjt_99
Sat Mar 16, 2019 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in and around San Diego
Replies: 33
Views: 2617

Re: Things to do in and around San Diego

I recommend Joshua Tree national park on top of the other great recommendations here. It’s a day trip so maybe go on a day weather isn’t great at the beach.
by ttjt_99
Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

Doom&Gloom wrote: Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:17 pm
ttjt_99 wrote: Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:04 pm
carol-brennan wrote: Sun Feb 10, 2019 1:09 pm Take that money burning a hole in your pocket and put it in a CD or something.

The 301s are fine. I'll keep mine till I die.
Very good advice I’ll probably wind up following.

I did rerun my Sony’s calibration and it did set my speakers somewhat appropriately. I had to make a few tweaks.

With my new sub, all the speakers are now sounding full and beautiful.


Wonderful result!

Upgrade fever spreads like wildfire. Sometimes it is great to give in to it. Other times it is great to resist! :beer
You’re exactly right. It’s hard to fight sometimes, but you just gotta say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
by ttjt_99
Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

carol-brennan wrote: Sun Feb 10, 2019 1:09 pm Take that money burning a hole in your pocket and put it in a CD or something.

The 301s are fine. I'll keep mine till I die.
Very good advice I’ll probably wind up following.

I did rerun my Sony’s calibration and it did set my speakers somewhat appropriately. I had to make a few tweaks.

With my new sub, all the speakers are now sounding full and beautiful.
by ttjt_99
Sat Feb 09, 2019 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you eat lab grown meat?
Replies: 64
Views: 2795

Re: Would you eat lab grown meat?

If it moos or oinks after they grow it, I’ll eat it.
by ttjt_99
Sat Feb 09, 2019 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

GmanJeff wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 9:37 am I use Amphion Argon tower speakers for listening to music. Their fidelity is remarkable.

https://amphion.fi/
I’m not familiar with Amphion, but their lineup is impressive.
by ttjt_99
Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

keanoz wrote: Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:45 pm Elacs would be the best for that price
The Elacs have gotten some excellent reviews and yeah the price looks very good.
by ttjt_99
Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Subwoofer for music recommendations
Replies: 17
Views: 1614

Re: Subwoofer for music recommendations

Holy crap you guys were spot on with the SVS sb1000. Just got it delivered set up this evening. Still getting it dialed in but I wish I had bought it sooner!
by ttjt_99
Fri Feb 08, 2019 8:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

Haha yes the wife knows I'm looking. We've both been trying to get back into listening to music as opposed to watching t.v. in the evenings which I'm all for. She was the one to convice me to buy the SVS sb1000 oddly enough! Love that woman lol You should try a used Decware Zen amp. It’s a little vacuum tube amplifier that is amazing. The Decware classified forums have them for sale every so often. You could probably pick one up for $750. I think you’ll find that a tube amp has a lot less listening fatigue than you might get with a solid state. Plus you can get a holographic soundstage by messing around with different tube combinations. I run my amp probably an average of 10-12 hours a day when I’m home and never tire of it. I bought it to...
by ttjt_99
Thu Feb 07, 2019 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

This thread is making me feel old… still using the pair of Magnepan MG-III speakers and Hafler DH500 power amp that I bought back in 1984! Back then it was strictly an audio setup also using a Dynaco PAT4 preamp and AF6 tuner. Later replaced the PAT4 preamp with a Hafler DH101 preamp. Then came home theater… added a Magnepan CC2 center channel, Velodyne F1800XR sub, Yamaha receiver and fairly cheap rear surrounds. Still using this setup today, but it’s about time for a receiver upgrade. :sharebeer If you love the setup, don’t change! I got a new receiver a couple of years ago because my Pioneer theater receiver gave up the ghost. I stream a lot of music from Amazon Music Unlimited through my Amazon echo dot so I have that paired through th...
by ttjt_99
Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

Does the wife know? :o [/quote] Haha yes the wife knows I'm looking. We've both been trying to get back into listening to music as opposed to watching t.v. in the evenings which I'm all for. She was the one to convice me to buy the SVS sb1000 oddly enough! Love that woman lol Fortunately Crutchfield's home store is a mile from my house and they have great customer service. You can find deals with open box items, but they can still be pricey. They had a pair of KEF LS50s set up and they played for me with a nice amp, and wow they sounded good, but it was a different sound complete from my Bose. It wasn't enough to convince me they were so much better. To answer the question on the center channel. It's a Polk TL1 which isn't the highest end, ...
by ttjt_99
Wed Feb 06, 2019 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Re: Upgrade from Bose 301

May as well get a new AVR too. Denon AVR-X1400H for $300 (originally $600). I bought one of these last month and it works great for my home theater. If you're just listening to music than forget getting anything new. Even for TV, I don't see any significant reason to upgrade the AVR from a ~4 year old model. It might not be a high end model, but the OP is only using it for 3.1 with modest bookshelf speakers. They only catch I see is if they need HDCP 2.2 compliance to do pass through of 4K content, but that's not strictly needed unless you want passthrough for the receiver. Thanks for the pointers guys. No, I’m not in the market for a new receiver. The Sony I’ve had for only a couple years and it puts out some respectable sound. I don’t ye...
by ttjt_99
Wed Feb 06, 2019 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade from Bose 301
Replies: 44
Views: 3763

Upgrade from Bose 301

After fellow Bogleheads were so helpful recommending a new subwoofer for me, I thought I’d get some recommendations what may be a good upgrade for my Bose 301s. Don’t get me wrong, I really have enjoyed my 301s and am not yet set on replacing them. I’ve had them for almost 20 years. They put out very nice sounds to my ears. I’m currently running them with a small sub (svs sb1000 being delivered tomorrow) and a Polk center channel. If I were to upgrade though, what would be your recommendations? I’m currently looking at Martin Logan Motion 35xt.

I have these hooked up to a Sony DH 750 receiver for both music and movies.
by ttjt_99
Wed Feb 06, 2019 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Crazy lady backs into my car...don't think she will pay me out of pocket
Replies: 103
Views: 11849

Re: Crazy lady backs into my car...dont think she will pay me out of pocket

If they're at fault, kindly dismiss any discussion of cash, contact the PD, and file either through their insurance or yours. If you do it through yours, you'll have to pay your deductible until the subrogation process concludes.
by ttjt_99
Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Tech Gadget Would you Buy?
Replies: 85
Views: 7886

Re: What Tech Gadget Would you Buy?

My wife and I just picked up the Philips Hue colored lightbulb and hub for our livingroom. It was a little pricey, but on eBay you can get them for a bit cheaper. It's really nice when listening to music or watching a movie to set the lights to a color other than your usual white bulbs. Works nicely with Alexa too and other smart devices if you're into the home automation thing.
by ttjt_99
Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco for Mercedes tire set
Replies: 29
Views: 4577

Re: Costco for Mercedes tire set

I have a rim I'd like replaced due to a gash. Does anyone know if Costco will install tires on wheels that are purchased online and shipped to them?
[/quote]
Years ago Costco did this, and I'd have Costco install tires ordered from Tire Rack. They stopped that over a decade ago.
[/quote]


I figured as much since I didn't see it on the website. It would be only the matching rim I'd order online, I'd buy the tires from Costco. I'll talk to the local office and see if they'd be willing to do that for me. If I order the wheel and bring it in when getting new tires I'm sure they'd swap them out no trouble.
by ttjt_99
Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a rear dashcam to deal with tailgaters?
Replies: 50
Views: 4498

Re: Should I get a rear dashcam to deal with tailgaters?

It's called the speed limit for a reason. It's not the "go at least 10 mph over this speed" limit. If someone's tailgating you, then if there's a collision, they'll be at fault. Concentrate on the road ahead of you. I ride a motorcycle and don't like the idea of someone not looking ahead in order to see what's going on behind them.
by ttjt_99
Wed Feb 06, 2019 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco for Mercedes tire set
Replies: 29
Views: 4577

Re: Costco for Mercedes tire set

I've used Costco for tires before for a Honda and got a great price during one of their promotions with using the Citi Visa card.

I have a rim I'd like replaced due to a gash. Does anyone know if Costco will install tires on wheels that are purchased online and shipped to them?
by ttjt_99
Mon Feb 04, 2019 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066567

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Polar on Netflix. It was....different. Kind of a had Kill Bill feel to it.
by ttjt_99
Mon Feb 04, 2019 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SW USA vacation spots w/teens. Scottsdale->Grand Canyon->Eastward (Santa Fe?)
Replies: 32
Views: 2280

Re: SW USA vacation spots w/teens (Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, ???)

I took my son to San Diego a couple years ago. We took a day trip to Joshua Tree National park and we both loved it. It is a desert, but if your teen is in to the outdoors, I think its well worth the trip. I'm hoping that with the government now open, they were able to get it all cleaned up.
by ttjt_99
Mon Feb 04, 2019 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Subwoofer for music recommendations
Replies: 17
Views: 1614

Re: Subwoofer for music recommendations

Thanks everyone, I just ordered the SVS sb1000 from SVS's outlet. based on everyone's recommendation. I was hesitant until my wife said "just buy the damn thing already, you've been wanting it long enough". I guess that's a sign my frugality is driving her nuts. Who am I to argue? I'll be working on placement once it comes and I rearrange some livingroom furniture.

I will be watching movies with it and am sure this will more than suffice. There were definitely tons of good reviews for this model.

I appreciate everyone's help!
by ttjt_99
Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Subwoofer for music recommendations
Replies: 17
Views: 1614

Re: Subwoofer for music recommendations

It is at the top of your budget, but you may like to check out the SVS (svsound.com) SB-1000. I have the SB-2000 and it is wonderful, as is the company. Also, will it be used for home theater as well, or music only? Given your taste in music, and depending on your speakers, they may not need much help reaching lower frequencies. Have you tried listening without your subwoofer to see if it's adequate? Finally if you do want to check out the SVS, you can save a few bucks by buying from their outlet, which is what I did: https://www.svsound.com/collections/outlet-specials/type_subwoofers Yes, my setup is also for home theater. I have Bose 301s as my mains with a Polk center and generally keep my listening levels moderate due to living in a co...
by ttjt_99
Sun Feb 03, 2019 7:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Letting Dog out everyday for lunch... the roundtrip drive is killing me.. ideas?
Replies: 182
Views: 24512

Re: Letting Dog out everyday for lunch... the roundtrip drive is killing me.. ideas?

Let him hold it. Most likely he will since he’s no longer a puppy. Just take him out right before you go to work and immediately when you get home. If he has an accident oh well.
by ttjt_99
Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Subwoofer for music recommendations
Replies: 17
Views: 1614

Subwoofer for music recommendations

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for a subwoofer upgrade to my current 50 watt Sony. The Sony is about 15 years old and can sound a little muddy at times. My living room is approx. 13x35’ so not very large.
Music tastes are anything from rock to jazz.
Preferably I’d like the sub to be more on the small side but still have clean tight punch. Also prefer to stay below $500.

I was looking at the Cambridge Minx x301 since size and price seemed reasonable.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Cheers
by ttjt_99
Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What lifestyle creep made you happier?
Replies: 626
Views: 96593

Re: What lifestyle creep made you happier?

Upgrading from a Civic to an Audi. (Wife had the Civic totaled by a teenager). Just happened to drive by a local dealer and got a good deal.
by ttjt_99
Sat Nov 10, 2018 7:33 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Is NOW a good time to start ETF saving journey? [Ukraine]
Replies: 13
Views: 1802

Re: Is NOW a good time to start ETF saving journey?

Look at the DOW historical chart for the past 30 years. Even the financial crises in 09 looks like a mere wiggle in an otherwise steady upward track. Invest, diversify, and don’t sell when it drops.
by ttjt_99
Tue Oct 09, 2018 8:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much interest do I owe if I don't pay credit card balance in full?
Replies: 18
Views: 2572

Re: How much interest do I owe if I don't pay credit card balance in full?

Transfer balance to new credit card with no transfer fee option and pay off before bill due.
by ttjt_99
Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cheapest thing you ever heard of to save money
Replies: 34
Views: 4056

Re: Cheapest thing you ever heard of to save money

Using both sides of a piece of toilet paper.
by ttjt_99
Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Let's talk about your FI # and family income [Financial Independence]
Replies: 183
Views: 26595

Re: Let's talk about your FI # and family income [Financial Independence]

I'll probably make everyone here feel better about what they're making. Life's not all about money, it helps, but the simple things in life are what add up. My story: I'm 42, married with a teenager. We're a single income home. I work in a state job and it pays as such. It's taken me quite a while to even work up to my current salary, but right now I earn $62k. I have really good medical, have a pension system I'm paying in to which currently estimates me being able to retire with my full pension at at 57 with a payout currently of around $2600 a month. That's not very much, but I do also have a 403b and some other random investments that currently total a little over $62k currently which I hear may actually be well above the national avera...
by ttjt_99
Mon Sep 18, 2017 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 1620

Re: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed

Reason I was asking is I wanted to know what you hoped to accomplish by spending all this money on getting a new loan and so forth. I don't see the benefit of this. The primary reason for me to want to purchase the home or get my name on the deed is to avoid any problems that may arise if something were to happen to my mom. Since I'm not on the deed, I'm not sure how I would obtain control . I guess that's the part I need help with answering. In many states, there is something called a transfer on death deed. Think of it like a beneficiary designation on a bank account. She signs it and lists you as a beneficiary and the deed is recorded with the state. When she passes, you provide the county with the deed and a death certificate, and the ...
by ttjt_99
Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 1620

Re: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed

Has your mom been reporting the income from the home on her taxes and taking the mortgage deduction? Or did you use the mortgage deduction on your own taxes? My mom claims it on her taxes since the mortgage is in her name. I don't believe I'd be able to technically claim that deduction. Reason I was asking is I wanted to know what you hoped to accomplish by spending all this money on getting a new loan and so forth. I don't see the benefit of this. The primary reason for me to want to purchase the home or get my name on the deed is to avoid any problems that may arise if something were to happen to my mom. Since I'm not on the deed, I'm not sure how I would obtain control . I guess that's the part I need help with answering. In many states...
by ttjt_99
Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 1620

Re: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed

Has your mom been reporting the income from the home on her taxes and taking the mortgage deduction? Or did you use the mortgage deduction on your own taxes? My mom claims it on her taxes since the mortgage is in her name. I don't believe I'd be able to technically claim that deduction. Reason I was asking is I wanted to know what you hoped to accomplish by spending all this money on getting a new loan and so forth. I don't see the benefit of this. The primary reason for me to want to purchase the home or get my name on the deed is to avoid any problems that may arise if something were to happen to my mom. Since I'm not on the deed, I'm not sure how I would obtain control . I guess that's the part I need help with answering.
by ttjt_99
Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 1620

Re: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed

denovo wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:36 pm Has your mom been reporting the income from the home on her taxes and taking the mortgage deduction? Or did you use the mortgage deduction on your own taxes?
My mom claims it on her taxes since the mortgage is in her name. I don't believe I'd be able to technically claim that deduction.
by ttjt_99
Sun Sep 17, 2017 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 1620

Re: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed

123 wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2017 5:42 pm What is the interest rate on the current loan? What would the likely rate be if you did the refinance/purchase? The payments could be significantly different with a new loan.
The interest rate on the loan is 4.5%, which I believe falls in line with current rates. The only thing that may impact that is that I have another 2 years before the bankruptcy falls off, though right now my credit rating is around 720, so I don't believe it should have as a big a negative impact anymore.
by ttjt_99
Sun Sep 17, 2017 5:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed
Replies: 14
Views: 1620

Would like to buy my mom's second residence. advice needed

Hey everyone, I couldn't fit everything in the subject line, so I'll do my best to explain my situation below. Approximately 10 years ago, my wife and I went through some financial hardships which ultimately lead to filing for a chapter 7 bankruptcy. We were renting an apartment at the time. As a result, home ownership was out of the foreseeable future. Enter mom. Instead of my family continuing to pay rent to a landlord during the rebuilding of our credit, she suggested purchasing a home in her name in the town where my wife and I resided, the idea being that she could essentially be our landlord until we got back on our feet. We ultimately decided on a condominium (which I can get in to more detail if need be), due to the affordability si...
by ttjt_99
Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Name something you had to have and now you regret purchasing it?
Replies: 505
Views: 80045

Re: Name something you had to have and now you regret purchasing it?

Russian mail order bride. A black van with tinted windows now parks itself across the street from my home.
by ttjt_99
Sat Sep 16, 2017 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066567

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Dune (1984). I hear a remake is on the way.
by ttjt_99
Wed Sep 13, 2017 9:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What If U.S. Stocks Stay Expensive For Years?
Replies: 50
Views: 9442

Re: What If U.S. Stocks Stay Expensive For Years?

One word: Dollar cost averaging.

There are three types of people in this world, those who can count, and those who can't.