u/Lilditty02

Currently in SE Michigan with a budget around $2k

So in my upgrade journey, I am at the point that I have a marantz 2250B as a preamp running to an emotive basx A2 which is powering vandersteen model ii’s. I was thinking of replacing the marantz with a dedicated preamp. Right now my top choice is a rogue audio RP1 which would be significantly more expensive than anything else in the set up. At this point is it worth it to splurge like that on a preamp or will I not really see much benefit since it wouldn’t be aligned with the rest of the system?

I’m sure at some point down the road I will upgrade the power amp again and possibly speakers, so this would future proof against that. it could cause problems. Appreciate any insight you all might have!

Love my runt 20 but would love even more to be able to use headphones. I’ve seen running an xlr out into a headphone amp or something similar so was wondering what you recommend as an interface to use headphones. Would prefer to spend as little as possible.

I’ve seen the schitt headphone amp for $120 or so but wasn’t sure if xlr to l/r inputs would work. Appreciate any suggestions!

So my son and a few friends are trying to put a band together for an upcoming middle school talent show. They have keyboards, drums, guitar, and singer but haven’t found a bass player. So I’m trying to find songs that have guitar parts and piano parts and aren’t fully reliant on bass.

Main pick right now is let it be by the Beatles.

Not sure how good the guitar player is so something like while my guitar gently weeps might be over their head. Any other suggestions of songs that might fit the category and that some middle school kids could pick up? Appreciate any recommendations!

A couple years go we build raised beds in our backyard with the intention of planting flowers and also built a bed along the back of the house. We also have a section on the side of the yard that had a row of cedar trees and bushes that were destroyed one winter that has now become overgrown. Because of some health issues we have not touched the yard the past couple summers and the beds especially are super overgrown. My goal was to put mulch down around the perimeter of the yard, including around our fire pit and now into the beds. But with how overgrown they are I’m trying to figure out the best way to prep for mulch without feeling overwhelmed.

To go through and thoroughly weed the entire spaces we want to weed would probably take the entire summer with focused work so I’m trying to figure out the line of pulling the big obnoxious stuff and hopefully burying the rest. Any tips on where that line is or how to maximize future success for the mulch in terms of keeping things under control and still being able to plant? Should I spray weed killer first or drop a bunch of pre emergent? What would you suggest for tackling this project? Thanks!