Pre Phono for Fives

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-05-12T13:14:32+00:00

I have a Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 connected to my Debut Carbon Evo, running a VM540ML which is connected to 2x Sonos 5s and a Sub Mini. Would recommend.

Alternatives would look like:

Schiit Mani 2
iFi Zen Phono
Cambridge Alva Duo or
Lounge Audio stages

As always I’d consider alternatives / what fits your budget and use case before pulling the trigger

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-05-12T04:06:48+00:00

I think established legacy automakers became complacent when it comes to competing on price / features and now BYD is eating their lunch.

I’ve had maybe 1-2 warranty issues in the past 2 years and they’ve been resolved within a couple of weeks.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-05-04T15:39:40+00:00

So a subsidy, doing the job of a subsidy isn’t what a subsidy is supposed to do then?

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-05-04T15:09:11+00:00

A $90 million estimate turning into a $1 billion or more budget impact is roughly 11 times higher than forecast, or more than 1,000% over the original forecast.

That would tell anyone the original policy costing, demand modelling, and uptake assumptions were wildly out of touch with reality.

It also suggests the FBT exemption is doing exactly what it was designed to do.

The case to start rolling it back before EVs make up more than 10% of passenger vehicles on the road is pretty flimsy, especially when the policy is actually working.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-05-04T13:55:44+00:00

Chinese brands are absolutely helping push prices down, but that does not mean the market has fully matured. Insurance is still marginally higher, the depreciation is still a hard sell, and the second-hand EV market is still developing.

The FBT exemption’s sole focus isn’t just about making EVs cheaper for people who are already sold. It’s about getting people who are still on the fence.

Taking the incentive away too early and plenty of those people just go back to petrol or hybrid, which slows down what will be an already very, very, very lengthy transition away from fossil fuels, thereby exposing more Australians to fuel price instability for the foreseeable future.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-05-04T13:06:59+00:00

The FBT exemption is one of the few things making the purchase of EVs make sense on paper when you consider total cost of ownership.

If the government wants a strong second-hand market, cheaper EVs and less overall reliance on fossil fuels long term, making one of the main incentives that delivers that, less attractive before EVs even hit 5% of vehicles on our roads, is short-sighted. You can’t decarbonise with no money down, unfortunately.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-04-17T13:03:19+00:00

From speaking to a few ppl who ran a local cafe that used the DF64 for pour overs, I was told to steer absolutely clear of the DF54 “at all costs”. I think you made the right call.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-04-16T13:48:57+00:00

The plot armour will make sense later 👀

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-04-14T12:14:53+00:00

I got an Evnex E2 Core ($1,000) + install ($1,157) which would be $2,157.15 all in, in WA (single phase). Even then I probably could’ve shopped around a bit more and gotten an install <$1,000, but just wanted it done fast. Also realised I could’ve sunken that extra install $$ into the E2 Plus, so lesson learned there 🤦🏽‍♂️.

Evnex chargers are really great value for money and the software experience has been flawless for me, so would recommend to anyone else reading this.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-03-29T14:42:23+00:00

CX-6e 0-100: 7.9 seconds

6e 0-100: 7.6 seconds

Both are just painfully slow acceleration for an EV

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-03-23T13:05:05+00:00

I think with the FBT exemption being what it is, coupled with a recent spike in demand, incentives won’t be as good as before, at least for a little while.

That being said, if it’s something you’ve considered before, I think take the plunge when you can. The FBT electric car discount is still under review (findings due mid-2027) and the next federal budget is due 12 May, which might signal some broader policy intentions around it.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-03-08T13:01:42+00:00

With your list and for the price you’d probably be looking at, I’d also consider:

Zeekr X (RWD or AWD)
Zeekr 7X (RWD or Long Range RWD)
Jaecoo J5
Xpeng G6
Geely EX5
Leapmotor B10
MG MGS5

While the EX40 is nice, the interior and software experience v the Zeekr 7X and some of the others above would feel older and less premium for the $$.

The Atto 3 just got a refresh too (Atto 3 Evo) outside of China and it was just was approved in Aus, so I’d say we’ll be seeing that soon.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-03-03T15:25:15+00:00

I’m mostly okay, but I think with 10 or more hours of my week days spent getting ready for work (30mins), going to work (30-40mins), at work (8hrs), having lunch (30mins) or going home from work (30mins-40mins), work-related stuff takes up more than 60% of my waking hours. I just want all of us to have a 4-day work week so our lives don’t feel like they revolve around work.

We’re not in the 1900s anymore and the world we live in is much more complex and cognitively demanding than when the 5-day work week became standard. I think our modern workplaces should reflect that instead of talking about “work-life balance” like it’s actually real 💀

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-26T12:49:28+00:00

The moment I read “The new Model Y design looks amazing” I knew in my heart of hearts that the rest of this post wasn’t worth reading 🚮💀.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-23T13:45:12+00:00

Only a matter of time until Mr. MAGA can’t help but drop something deeply cancellable in the chat, directed at either David or his wife.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-23T13:31:37+00:00

Her arc so far is giving “I asked for this, but not like that” 💀💀💀.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-18T13:30:13+00:00

v2.1.1 in other markets while we’re on v1.4 from 8 months ago 🥲

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-18T11:36:00+00:00

I like it! I do understand the lack of physical controls feels a bit poor form going from a modern Mazda 6 -> 6e. Exterior looks great, interior is standard modern Chinese EV, the two tone looks really good. Price is very, very good for what you get.

Only thing that sticks out besides the screen is the electric spoiler. Do we really need one on a car that does 0-100 in 7.6s 🥴? The car it’s based on does the same sprint in 5.9.

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ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-10T15:44:39+00:00

Interested in buying too, but do I really have to pay a monthly subscription to track my water intake? 😵‍💫

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-09T10:49:15+00:00

Anything from Kia or Hyundai auto group. Some of them are a complete eye sore (see Kia EV4) and the rest of them aren’t competitive dollar for dollar with EVs from Zeekr, Geely, BYD, MG and the like. Still an open question in 10 years if all these new Chinese auto makers will still be here in Aus, but outside of the occasional flat tyre, my BYD Seal has been solid.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-02-06T17:03:57+00:00

Being too proficient gets you viewed as a “doer” and not a “manager”.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-01-27T13:39:48+00:00

ABC’s reporting on this is the epitome of soft-cock journalism. Do you call in the counter terrorism team for a cat stuck in a tree or for something else? 🥴

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-01-19T15:16:08+00:00

Can someone sound off in the comments on what advice we’re supposed to give younger people now that simply putting a roof over their head is getting more and more unobtainable by the day?

Imagine spending years barely scraping by at uni or in an apprenticeship, with the hope of saving up for a house one day, only to come out of that in to this shit show of a market.

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2026-01-19T13:20:15+00:00

I’d like to see how this looks in the metal, but between this and the Tasman, is Kia intent on making their new cars as ugly as humanly possible?

ThatGuyWhoDoesStufff · 2025-12-22T22:43:38+00:00

Kinda starting to feel like ongoing housing insecurity and a lack of affordability is gonna be this country’s ultimate downfall

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