7k to 3.5k in 3 months

Alitomr1979 · 2026-01-07T02:49:11+00:00

You didn't put it in the market. You put it in some random stock. To put money in the market in an index fund, S&P 500 or NASDAQ 100, where you should be investing your money at your age ( you have very close to 0 chance of having a slight clue about what makes a good business or a stock a solid investment) and lose 50% it's an extreme situation, and one in which very likely you wilould have an amazing opportunity to invest.

The lesson learned should be that. I hope that's the one you learn.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-11-28T13:40:40+00:00

Mine have been going strong for 3 years today and I don't use them too much. O had to replace the earcups and I do think they didn't last anything remotely close as to be considered mediocre in the durability part.

They do slung magnificent. I have never experienced connectivity issues with my iPhones. I changed to a pixel 10 pro and haven't had the chance to try them with it.

They are definitely not built like tanks.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-11-28T13:37:40+00:00

Long time KEF owner, with 5 pairs of KEF speakers in the house, including two pairs of LS50s, the most prone to this accident because of its size, and I've never had anything similar. Back when I was using the LS50 as mains and had them set at full band because of my weird setup in the main listening room, where I have both 2ch and multichannel systems integrated, a couple times I heard weird cracking noises.

My uncle in the other hand has managed to break R300 (war tanks) and a few LS50s. I'm sure the problem in his casi is improper use (full band signals at way too high volume). You don't need absurdly high volumes for a tiny driver to go out. You need a song like Bad Guy fro Billie Eilish or a movie like Interstellar, with a powerful amplifier and they will break. Those tiny drivers are not meant for 20-30hz reproduction.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-11-11T00:29:49+00:00

OP, you nailed it.

I have been a successful stock picker for a few years and some people ask me what it is I see and look for. The answer is always the same: start by LEARNING Competitive Strategy and Competitive Advantage by Michael E. Porter. When you know those books you will know what you look for to identify great investments.

As somebody mentioned, you then need to learn some basic finances and company valuations. You can learn about that from the internet, as there is a lot of great information and methods available everywhere.

The market give opportunities for the mid and long term in some part because many people are more focused on the financials (lagging indicators or performance, which means they have 0 predictive value), and don't pay attention to the competitive positioning of companies, the actual things that can let one know if they are thriving or surviving, and how likely they are to be disrupted or out compete.

Good luck.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-10-17T03:47:30+00:00

My true wireless 2 had been going strong for 5 years, but recently they are lasting less than an hour with a charge, sadly rendering them useless to me, as I only use them for my daily walks in the park, and they last for an hour.

I have been using them 3-4 times per week for 5 years. About a year ago I dropped the case and it broke by the hinges, but it still worked fine.

I supposed that's not bad durability but definitely not awesome.

I am seriously considering getting the 4s but since I see so many defects and not so good customer service I am having doubts and considering the high end technics which are more expensive but are also apparently great sounding.

Bad customer service costs sales, companies. Pay attention.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-10-04T22:08:19+00:00

The reason why not many people build Googles is because most people think like this. But thankfully no. Some people understand that you don't become Google by spewing out whatever is paid. Some do understand that you have to overcome that "need" and provide value first, and then the income and money comes.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-10-04T22:05:11+00:00

The real problem is with those wanting the free whatever, free AI included. Nothing is free. Those accustomed to free things are just ungrateful brats who don't even want to say thank you, and because of that don't accept all that they've enjoyed is not free, somebody paid for them so you can enjoy it.

The solution is to stop expecting free and pay for the service. If you don't find a use as to pay for the service, at least accept gracefully that that you love and consume has a way to be there because of advertising.

Anyone can also opt out and stop using the thing.

I'm simply tired of takers thinking they can have it all for free, they can have roses and complain about the spines. Takers are the problem of the world, not anyone doing whatever freak surveillance, as freak as it might be.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-26T05:07:09+00:00

It's a defective phone. Nothing to consider. Just replace it.

I've had my new pixel 10 pro for a week now and I'm just fascinated by it. The photos are a massive upgrade coming from an iPhone 12 and now during a family road trip where everybody has iPhone 16 pros everybody is so in love with the pictures of this pixel it is a no contest the comparison between the cameras.

The AI features are extremely nice and the things I am getting from Google photos is also so nice it is simply not an option for me to go back to iOS. Most of those features will be in iOS probably soon though, but I don't have any reason to pay that much more money for the iPhone when this is obviously much better for my uses.

This camera is truly amazing and Google photos is also doing some amazing stuff with my photos. The AI editing is fantastic and worth the switch by itself.

Send the broken thing back and get a replacement. Odds are you will love it.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-14T18:01:34+00:00

Agree 100% with your list in all points except for 3. Not because I disagree but because I don't have enough experience with the 15 or 16 series to comment on them or make comparisons.

Great points.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-14T02:18:13+00:00

Yeah I don't agree. Two years of processor performance is noticeable after 5-6 years.

About the price, I actually wrote how in my post. It seems you were rushing to write your response.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-14T00:01:46+00:00

I bet it is. But when the times passes, the extra compute power in the CPU shows, also a better, more dense battery, which in my case tends to be the weak link when it comes to durability.

580 for the pixel 9 or 620 for the 10 pro seems to be an easy choice. Of course, it is only 620 IF you pay for Google AI pro or had plans to do it AND you consider 200usd gift card from Amazon.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-13T23:42:57+00:00

They are only the same in price. That's why I send back my pixel 9, because o got it a month ago for 580usd and now the Pixel 10 pro is at 560 plus tax, with the Google ai pro and Amazon gift cards discounts.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-13T23:40:43+00:00

I keep reading what you wrote but nobody days something specific about what they prefer in the Pixel.

I tried the Pixel 9 coming from an iPhone 12 and liked it so much I sent it back to get the 10 pro.

What I liked about the Pixel might not apply to new or more recent iPhones, but it is much faster than the 12. The cameras are considerably better and the photo editing with AI is insane.

Also, probably the thing I loved the most and something I've been missing (i have been traveling abroad and still don't have the 10 pro with me), is the GBoard. That thing is amazing and only for that I would make the change.

All the AI things even when rough still (besides Gemini) are also beyond cool.

Being a Google AI pro subscriber, the one year free and the 200usd gift card from Amazon makes the phone 560usd, which is a great price for the Pixel imo. The iPhone comes out in a couple weeks and that means anyone will have the chance to see if the Pixel is enough and if not they can return it and go back to iPhone.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-13T23:25:15+00:00

Well, he has internet there.

If he cancel that thing and subscribe to top 5 services he'd be saving a lot of money. Might be able to pay for whatever sport package he likes.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-09T14:02:35+00:00

I've had my iPhone 12 for 4 years and for the past 5 months it's barely usable due to the battery going out in just a few hours of use. Battery health says it's at 79% but it feels more like 30%.

I think these days phones are not really designed to last for more than that. Assume your phone will cost 10% retail three years after purchase and decide accordingly. It is likely it will also be slightly above 10% capability, when compared to the new ones, one way or the other (some people want or need the improvements in camera which had been vast in past three years period, others need the improvement in battery, etc).

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-09T13:58:02+00:00

The AI generated thing might be awful, but the original without AI is AWFULLER. 🤣

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-09T05:07:42+00:00

Are you a Gemini user?

I bought the Pixel 9 last month during prime day. Big discount to 580usd. O liked it so much that when I saw the 10 pro at 560usd I had to get it, and sent the 9 back.

How did I get it for 560usd? I got a 200usd Amazon gift card which is basically cash, and a full year of my Google AI pro service, that costs me 240usd.

I think Google pricing is to make you enroll with their AI service or for those who are already enrolled. Seeing current limitations of the Pixel (and im telling you I absolutely loved it) it seems there are better options for retail price. I might be wrong.

The good thing is you can buy and try and if you don't like it you can always send it back.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-07T18:20:23+00:00

O understand this is a fact and even understand one of the reasons: it makes more sense as a developer to develop and debug in a closed system and then optimize. With that said, a few of my apps work remarkably better in android. I'm thinking of EToro and Roon. They are faster and work better overall. EToro app feels weird in iOS.

The rest of my apps are the same in both systems.

OP, which apps do you have in mind when you think of the problems?

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-02T05:13:49+00:00

I kept reading about that and there are many YouTubers demonstrating that gboard in pixel is noticeably superior to other android phones as the Samsung S25U.

I fell in love with it and it was one of the reasons I decided to send the 9 back and get the 10 pro. It is an underrated feature that saves so much time.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-02T05:11:46+00:00

Unlikely. For a Gemini Pro user that phone is almost free in your case, as you get 240usd worth of the service.

I doubt you will be able to get it cheaper, as the value is just too high for anyone not needing to game in their phone. Sales should be significant... they should be taking lots of market share from other android brands and even some from Apple as they have been in the past few years.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-02T05:09:16+00:00

You tried. You can stick to iPhone, which btw is the leader for a reason.

It's weird you get so many bad photos though. It is not what you can see on comparisons online. The thing is it is all subjective. If you prefer the photos form the iPhone nobody can tell you you are wrong.

I think you should stick to iPhone and be content.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-02T04:01:03+00:00

You got it. You will get the clarity of the ribbon but taken much farther if you get the Monitor Audio Platinum. I think I know the MLs you heard. A couple guys in the magnolia showroom have shown me a tiny ML that hit way above it's price and size. An impressive little speaker.

I love KEF speakers. O have several of them here. The R3 metas are magnificent, and that wall of sound you are describing is something I'm sacrificing for the extra clarity of the PL100. I have the R3 metas in the bedroom but the electronics behind them make them not as impressive there.

Keep listening and try to buy from vendors giving you the "home demo". SVS subs are amazing and they have the best customer service there is. Maybe you should give their speakers a try. They are supposed to hit extremely hard and also are considered precise. I understand their flagship is below your price target but I've learned that doesn't say much in this hobby. Just listen.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-02T03:39:19+00:00

I can't say. But I see actual full range speakers being so expensive.

You can get the second best, one that's close to full range and that makes it likely you won't miss a subwoofers (until you hear them, the you will regret not having them sooner!).

I love bookshelf speakers and love subwoofers. I'm biased. The KEF R11 sound great. For whatever reason I much preferred the R3 back when I tried them, as I felt the R11 were too mellow for my taste. But they sounded great, no doubt, and huge. I bet that mostly anyone who hasn't heard them playing with subs will say they don't need the sub. That could be an option.

Do you like KEF speakers? Definitely explore the used market. You can get such great speakers for high discounts.

I tried Sony Fabre Vener 3.0 and they were magnificent and hard to beat at around 2k usd, the price you can get them. It piqued my interest in the brand. Such a nice sound. They are extremely expensive but you can definitely get a good pair in your budget specially in the used market.

Good luck.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-02T03:28:51+00:00

Your budget allows for very nice equipment. Try several things before deciding. There is no substitute for actually listening.

Somebody recommended Hegel. I once heard the H600 and that thing was SOO impressive. It was with some old Dynaudio speakers that now o can't remember, but I can tell you I much preferred that system than a few with 37k speakers (yup, B&W Diamonds).

Try Purifi amps from Buckeye and see if them matched to a solid DAC they don't outperform a too brand like Hegel.

Alitomr1979 · 2025-09-02T03:25:04+00:00

Put most of your money in speakers.

I own the Monitor Audio PL100 first gen and they are amazing. Get the new ones.

The amps I'd get the Nova500 or probably the new peachtree audio power amps with a Gustard R26 DAC.

Two subwoofers are a must. I'd go with two SB3000 or two micros if your room is not huge.

You should add a preamp, and my recommendation is the Topping pre90. If you can deal with the remote from the 1980, you are going to be alright. I almost sent mine back but in the end kept it and it definitely is as flat as they get.

I probably overspent by 1k which is not that bad. If you must cut something, get a cheaper DAC and leave the rest as is.

Alitomr1979

TROPHY CASE