discussion Whats your latest purchase?

[crazyea]

Grabbed an iPad Mini 6 off eBay for $245 from Surplus Design. Even though it was labelled used, looks basically new with only a very minor scratch on the screen that I can see. Even seems to have warranty until Feb 2027 somehow. Took about a week of bidding on various listings from them, but at least they post daily. (I had a mental $250 price limit)

I've generally kept an Alldocube Android tablet around in the living room but even the newest one I bought last year is having touchscreen issues already. A reboot fixed it, but I suspect it'll end up like my older one and stop working shortly.

But this iPad is technically 5 years old already, so I suspect software updates will eventually cease. Upgraded it to iPadOS 26 though so hopefully it lasts for at least a couple years!

If you have a phone with 120hz refresh, this ipad is going to drive you crazy.. Like mine did.

 

[JD]

If you have a phone with 120hz refresh, this ipad is going to drive you crazy.. Like mine did.

Yeah, it's not great, but these cheap Android tablets aren't anything above 60Hz either even if they claim otherwise. Usability is overall better though and hopefully durability. My work provided iPhone 11 is also 60Hz, so it's a consistent iOS experience for me

 

[FreeKnight]

2026 Lexus UX300H Luxury. Nori Green exterior, Palomino interior. Only shame is the trunk is kind of pathetic, and the cargo liner doesn't fit correctly.

 

[clshades]

Does that help in dialing in the efficiency of a natural gas furnace, or is it more about ensuring you're not putting out excessive CO2?

Both. It's especially important for HE appliances as the piping is CPVC

 

[JD]

Grabbed a Douk Audio A5 amp, not sure if the high pass filter will be necessary but at least it's there. Just need to find a relatively cheap sub, thinking maybe the Edifier T5/T5s.

For testing, I used the Yamaha subwoofer I have on the TV, that lacks any crossover controls, and only has LFE input. It seemed to work but perhaps not as good as it could. The high pass filter didn't seem to offer any improvements, just made noticeable points of missing bass. I think the line out on the amp is still stereo, so a subwoofer that takes stereo RCA input and has crossover control is likely a better match.

Speakers are just an old pair of Klipsch Synergy B-10's (4" driver). Still heading down the path of replacing the Logitech Z-5500 set cause it just really doesn't sound good.

 

[sswilson]

Is this your first class D mini amp? Anything in particular that pointed you to the Douk A5?

 

[JD]

Is this your first class D mini amp? Anything in particular that pointed you to the Douk A5?

It is, and not really, other than it being one of the cheapest with a line/sub out. It also has PFFB which supposedly makes for more neutral output. Was only testing with my Pixel 9 Pro + USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (unsure where I got this from). It did sound a bit bright, but those Klipsch horn tweeters tend to be as well.

 

[sswilson]

It is, and not really, other than it being one of the cheapest with a line/sub out. It also has PFFB which supposedly makes for more neutral output. Was only testing with my Pixel 9 Pro + USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (unsure where I got this from). It did sound a bit bright, but those Klipsch horn tweeters tend to be as well.

Yeah, Klipsch is generally known for being a bit crisp.

I've had no complaints with my Fosi BT30D. Plenty of power to push my Polk RT A1s. It's surprising how much grunt this little boxes put out.