If you’ve been following my journey into Pokémon investing, you know I’m all about transparency—tracking every cent spent versus its current market value. It’s not enough to just have the cool cards; you need to know if they are performing as assets.

Today, I’m doing a spot-check on my top 5 “heavy hitters.” These are the items that make up the bulk of my portfolio’s value and volatility. I’ve updated their values based on current market data from TCGplayer and recent auction sales as of November 2025.

Here is the current snapshot:

Key Takeaways

• The Crown Jewel: The PSA 9 Van Gogh Pikachu continues to be an absolute monster. I bought in at $190, and it has since tripled in value to roughly $600. This single card is doing major heavy lifting for my portfolio’s green ink.
• The Comeback Kid: My sealed 151 Ultra Premium Collection (UPC) was previously showing a loss. However, the sealed market for Scarlet & Violet: 151 has heated back up, pushing its value to ~$550 and putting me back in profit by $53.
• Steady Performers: The Bubble Mew is holding its high value steady at $640, and the PSA 10 Charmander Promo has seen a nice little bump up to nearly $400.
• The Dip: Not everything only goes up. My PSA 10 Pikachu VMAX has slipped slightly, currently showing a small $17 loss on paper. It’s a good reminder that even popular cards have fluctuations.

The Bottom Line (For These 5 Items)

• Total Original Cost: $1,618.86
• Current Market Value: ~$2,461.00
• Total Profit: +$842.14

Overall, just these five items alone have secured over $840 in profit. It validates the strategy of mixing high-demand sealed product (like 151) with chase slabs. I’ll continue to monitor that Pikachu VMAX to see if it bounces back, but for now, I’m holding strong

She was right. Less than two years ago, I used a water-based deck paint that promised the world. The reality? It started peeling almost immediately. It looked terrible.

I figured I’d start by cleaning it off. I broke out my Ryobi pressure washer with the 12″ surface cleaner attachment. I thought I was just going to knock off the dirt, but I ended up knocking off… everything. The remaining paint just started flying off in sheets.

The deck didn’t just need cleaning anymore; it needed a full restoration.

The DIY vs. Pro Debate

I immediately hit YouTube. I’m a firm believer that you can learn anything there, and sure enough, I found exactly what I needed. I could rent a massive deck floor sander from Home Depot, spend a weekend grinding it down to bare wood, and do it myself.

My wife, however, had a different vision. A vision that involved us not spending our entire weekend covered in sawdust. She voted to hire a professional.

We got a guy out for a quote. The price tag? $2,000.

Ouch.

The Unexpected Value of a Quote

While the $2,000 stung, having the pro there actually paid off in a different way. While he was inspecting the deck, he pointed to the black “dirt” on our siding that I’d been ignoring for years.

“That’s not dirt,” he said. “That’s mildew and mold.”

Great. Another project.

The 3-Minute Miracle

Faced with a $2,000 deck quote, I wanted a quick win that didn’t cost a fortune. I went back to YouTube to figure out how to handle this siding mold without destroying it with high pressure.

I found a video recommending something called “30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner.” The claim: spray it on, wait, hose it off. No scrubbing, no pressure washer.

I was skeptical—nothing is ever that easy. It cost me about $40 at the hardware store, but it was still a lot cheaper than hiring another pro, so it was worth a shot.

I hooked it up to the regular garden hose, sprayed down the nasty black mold on the siding, and waited. True to its name, you could practically watch the mold disappear. Three minutes later, I rinsed it with just the standard hose pressure.

It was spotless. Years of grime, gone in literally minutes.

The Verdict

We are still debating the $2,000 deck refinish. I still think I can tackle it with that Home Depot rental sander.

But if you have “black dirt” on your siding, save yourself the professional cleaning fee. That $40 bottle of 30 Seconds Cleaner is the real deal. Sometimes the easiest fix actually is the best one.

But recently, the relationship turned toxic.

It wasn’t just that it was old; it was that it actively stopped working. The “sure-fire” ignition became a game of chance, eventually turning into a game of “click-click-click… silence.” I was tired of manually lighting it with a long match like I was lighting a 19th-century lantern just to cook a hot dog.

Worse yet was the realization about materials. When I bought it 15 years ago, I saw “stainless steel” on the box and thought I was set for life. I learned the hard way that there is high-quality stainless steel, and then there is whatever “cheap stainless” my Brinkmann was actually made of. It wasn’t just dirty; it was rusting through in ways metal shouldn’t if it truly is “stainless.”

Finding replacement parts for a defunct brand (Brinkmann went bankrupt in 2015) to fix a rusting hulk that wouldn’t even start felt like throwing good money after bad. It was time to upgrade.

The Research Rabbit Hole

Diving into the modern grill market after 15 years was a shock. I knew I wanted something that wouldn’t just look nice for a year and then start corroding. My research quickly narrowed down to the gold standard: Weber.

Here is the breakdown of my research journey, fueled by my desire to never hear that futile “click-click-click” again:

1. The Material Reality Check

Coming from my rusting “stainless” experience, I paid close attention to materials. I learned that Weber’s porcelain-enameled hoods (the classic black ones) often outlast cheap stainless steel competitors because the coating is baked on and virtually rust-proof. If I was going to go stainless again, it had to be the real deal this time.

2. The Ignition Factor

I read extensively about Weber’s “GS4” grilling system. The biggest selling point for me? The “Infinity Ignition.” They actually guarantee the thing will light every time. After months of wrestling with my Brinkmann’s failed starter, this sounded like a luxury feature.

3. The Contenders

• Weber Spirit II E-310: The logical, responsible choice. It has the good ignition system, solid materials, and fits the same space my old grill did.
• Weber Genesis: The temptress. Bigger, heavier, and built like a tank. The lids feel substantial, not tinny like my old grill had become.

The Decision

I hauled the old Brinkmann to the curb last weekend. Seeing the rust spots in the daylight really confirmed my decision—it had served its time.

I’m looking forward to a summer where I don’t need a backup plan just to get the grill lit, and where I don’t have to worry that my “stainless” steel is slowly disintegrating while I cook.

Time to fire up the new one. (On the first click).

• Scarcity is Key: These were not mass-produced main-set cards. They were available for a limited time, often through lottery systems or tied to in-store purchases at specific Pokémon Center locations in Japan. Once they were gone, they were gone.
• Insane Value Growth: Today, the value of graded (PSA 10) copies of the most desirable Poncho Pikachu cards, like the Mega Charizard X or Mega Rayquaza Poncho-Wearing Pikachu, can fetch figures well into the four to five digits—a staggering return on their original retail price. For instance, some of the most exclusive cards from this era are currently realizing prices in the range of $3,000 to over $10,000 depending on the specific card and grade. They represent the high-water mark for modern promotional card investment.
  The Poncho Pikachu series is a powerful lesson: exclusivity, combined with a unique and visually appealing design, creates generational collector value.
  
• Investing in the Next Generation of Exclusives
• 
  For collectors who missed the boat on the 2016 Poncho promos, there’s always a new wave of potential “golden tickets” emerging from Japan. And it looks like you’ve made a phenomenal choice by investing in the latest regional releases!
  The Special Box Pokémon Center Tohoku, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka releases are the newest contenders following this proven formula. Released to celebrate recent store renovations and reopenings, these boxes contain unique merchandise, most importantly:
• A Special Exclusive Pikachu Promo Card: Each box features a mirror-foil Pikachu promo card unique to its respective region: Tohoku’s Pikachu, Hiroshima’s Pikachu, and Fukuoka’s Pikachu. These cards showcase Pikachu with local cultural motifs or landmarks, guaranteeing a distinctive, one-of-a-kind design.
• Extreme Limited Availability: Like their predecessors, these boxes are Japanese-exclusive and were initially distributed via a competitive lottery system on the Pokémon Center Online, and later in limited quantities in-store. This intentional scarcity drives up demand significantly on the secondary market, even before the boxes officially ship.
  Why Your Investment is Poised for Growth
• Proof of Concept: The incredible growth of past Pokémon Center regional promos (Poncho Pikachu, Kanazawa Pikachu, etc.) sets a strong expectation for these new cards.
• Uniqueness: These cards are directly tied to a specific physical location and event (a store opening/remodel), which is a powerful narrative for collectors. They are “proof” of a moment in Pokémon history.
• International Demand: Global collectors are increasingly recognizing the superior quality and unique art of Japanese cards. As the population of graded copies remains low, international buyers will pay a premium to secure these exclusive regional pieces.
  You’ve done well to secure these special releases. The early resale value is often high, but the true growth of these unique promos typically accelerates a few years after release, especially once the original stock is depleted and high-grade copies start hitting the market.
  

If you asked me a year ago what an “ETB” was, I probably would have guessed it was some new government agency. Back then, I was just a parent trying to buy Pokémon cards for my kids. It was simple: go to Target, grab a couple of booster packs off a fully stocked shelf, and watch their faces light up when they pulled a shiny card.

Then came 2025.

I don’t know if it was the release of the Pokémon Pocket app that brought everyone back to the hobby, or just a perfect storm of hype, but suddenly, the shelves were bare. I’m not talking “low stock”—I’m talking completely barren. Target, Walmart, Best Buy—it didn’t matter where I went. The card section looked like a swarm of locusts had moved through it.

The Scarcity Mindset

When you can’t find something your kids love, a funny thing happens to your brain. You enter “hunter mode.”

Because I couldn’t just casually pick up packs anymore, I went on a mission. Every time I walked into a store, I’d check the card aisle. If there was anything—a lonely blister pack, an obscure collection box, things I normally wouldn’t look twice at—I bought it. I wasn’t even thinking about what set it was from; I was just desperate to have something on hand for the next birthday or good report card.

I was spending more money and time just trying to maintain a simple hobby for my children. I realized I was caught up in the panic-buying frenzy that was leaving those shelves empty in the first place.

Entering the Rabbit Hole

Frustrated with overpaying for scraps left by scalpers, I turned to the internet for answers and stumbled onto a corner of Reddit that changed everything: r/pokeinvesting.

I spent hours reading. I realized that while I was desperately trying to find packs for my kids to rip open immediately, others were playing a completely different game. They weren’t just opening; they were holding.

The Hard Lesson of Grading

Once I went down the rabbit hole, I didn’t just stop at sealed product. I learned about professional grading—how turning a raw card into a PSA 10 Gem Mint slab could exponentially increase its value.

I started buying already-graded slabs for stable investments, but I also got a little greedy. I looked through my kids’ binders, pulled out their best “chase” cards that looked perfect to my untrained eye, and sent them off to PSA. I was dreaming of perfect 10s.

Reality hit hard when that submission returned. Instead of a box of gems, I was staring at 7s, 8s, heartbreaking 9s, and even a dreaded 5 (turns out my kids had enjoyed that card a little too much before I sleeved it). The elusive 10 remained completely out of reach. It was an expensive lesson that reinforced why keeping things sealed is often safer than gambling on a grader’s magnifying glass.

A New Strategy for Their Future

That experience shifted my mission entirely. I realized I could still collect for my kids, but instead of short-term fun (or failed grading submissions), I could build them a long-term nest egg.

I stopped frantically buying random loose packs. I started being strategic. Following the advice from the PokeInvesting community, I began targeting:

• Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs): These often have exclusive promos and are better long-term holds than retail versions.
• Sealed Booster Bundles & Boxes: The “gold standard” for holding value.

Now, when I manage to find good stock, I don’t immediately hand it over to be torn apart. I tuck it away in a safe spot in the closet. My kids still get packs to open here and there, but the bulk of my “hunting” now goes into their future. Maybe in 15 years, we can pull out those dusty, sealed ETBs from 2025 and realize that the “great shortage” was actually the best thing that could have happened to their collection.

Trading infinite digital choice for the finite, deliberate selection of physical albums was a tough but exciting prospect. Choosing our first records was a big decision—we wanted a starting lineup that offered a great blend of classics we both cherish and modern albums we’re obsessed with.

Here’s a look at the albums that made the cut in our inaugural vinyl haul, mostly scooped up from a treasure hunt at Target:

The Eclectic Initial Collection

Our goal was an eclectic mix that guaranteed a great spin no matter the mood. This pile is the foundation of our new collection:

I can’t wait to drop the needle on Dark Side of the Moon and hear what it truly sounds like!

What’s Next?

• What do you think of my starter collection?
• What classic album am I missing that should be next on my list?

I quickly realized that diving into vinyl isn’t just about buying audio gear; it’s about committing physically to the hobby. You need space. You need stability. And frankly, you want it to look as good as it sounds.

The “Wobble” Problem

My initial thought was to just clear off some space on an existing bookshelf. Bad idea.

I learned quickly that turntables are sensitive. A wobbly side table or a lightweight shelf means that every footstep near the record player can cause skips or distortions. Furthermore, my 3-part setup (turntable, preamp, amp) meant I had more wires and components than a simple all-in-one player. I needed something dedicated, sturdy, and with decent cable management potential.

I scoured the usual suspects—generic furniture sites, big-box online retailers—but everything felt either too cheap and flimsy, or insanely expensive custom audiophile furniture.

Discovery: Turntable Lab

In the middle of my desperate late-night Googling for “audiophile furniture that doesn’t cost a fortune,” I stumbled onto a site that felt like hitting the jackpot: Turntable Lab.

How had I missed this?

It wasn’t just another generic electronics store. It felt like walking into that cool, curated local record shop where the staff actually knows what they are talking about—but online. Instead of wading through thousands of unrelated TV stands, they had a curated section specifically for vinyl setups.

The Winner: Line Phono Cube Plus

After browsing their selection, I found exactly what I needed: the Line Phono Cube Plus Turntable Stand.

Here’s why it was the perfect fit for my specific setup:

• Dedicated Component Shelf: It has an 8-inch shelf right below the turntable surface. This is absolutely perfect for housing my Sonos Connect:Amp and U-Turn Pluto preamp, keeping them accessible but tucked away from the main surface.
• Rock Solid: It’s designed specifically for turntables, meaning it’s heavy and stable enough to prevent those dreaded footstep skips.
• Record Storage: It has built-in storage for about 90 records, which is more than enough to get my collection started (and give me a goal to fill it!).
• Cable Management: It has pre-drilled holes to keep all those RCA and power cables neat and tidy, which is a huge plus for a multi-component system like mine.

A New Go-To

I’ve officially bookmarked Turntable Lab and given them a follow. It’s a relief to find a dedicated specialist shop that feels accessible to a newcomer like me, but clearly has the depth for when I (inevitably) get deeper into this hobby.

My setup finally has a proper home. Now, I just need to wait for everything to arrive so I can finally spin that first record.

The Final Setup

It all started, as so many wonderful (and slightly obsessive) things do these days, with Blackpink’s Lisa. I was scrolling through Instagram, admiring her effortlessly cool style, when my eyes landed on something small, quirky, and utterly captivating clutched in her hand. It was a little figure, undeniably cute, with those signature mischievous eyes and impish grin.

“What is that?” I wondered aloud, immediately diving into the comments section and then, of course, Google. That, my friends, was my introduction to Labubu.

And so began an 11-month rabbit hole that has transformed my shelves, my spending habits, and my understanding of the sheer joy of collecting. Initially, finding Labubu felt like a quest worthy of an ancient legend. They weren’t readily available, and the few listings I found online were either suspiciously priced or sold out instantly. The scarcity only fueled my desire. I refreshed pages, joined Discord groups, and set up notifications, all for this adorable, elusive creature.

Then, slowly but surely, the world of Labubu started to open up to me. I learned about POP MART, the genius behind these art toy phenomena. And oh, the sets! It wasn’t just a Labubu; it was an entire universe.

My first major discovery was the Labubu The Monsters – Macarons series. The concept alone was enough to hook me – these playful monsters disguised as delectable French treats! Each blind box was a gamble, a moment of pure anticipation. Would I get the strawberry, the pistachio, or the elusive secret chase figure? My collection started with one, then two, and before I knew it, I had a colorful display of these sweet little characters, each one a miniature work of art.

I’ve had an inkling for a while now. It started as a small curiosity when seeing huge, beautiful album art in shops, and it’s grown into a full-blown itch I need to scratch. I want to get into vinyl.

There’s something about the digital music experience that, while incredibly convenient, feels a bit… disposable. I currently run my entire home audio setup on Sonos Beams. It’s fantastic for streaming Spotify instantly or watching movies, but I’m realizing I’m missing out on the ritual of music.

Here’s my journey into the world of records, what I think I’ve been missing, and the specific—and slightly complex—gear I chose to bridge analog history with my modern digital soundbar.

What Am I Missing?

Why vinyl in 2025? It’s not just about being a hipster. For me, it boils down to three things I currently don’t get from my streaming setup:

• • Intentional Listening: Vinyl requires you to commit. You have to physically pick an album, drop the needle, and listen to a whole side. No endless skipping.

• • The Tangible Art: A 12-inch album cover is a work of art you can actually hold.

• • The “Warmth”: That debateable but beloved depth of analog sound that digital sometimes strips away.

The Hurdle: The Sonos Beam Problem

Here is the first wall I hit in my research: You cannot just plug a turntable into a Sonos Beam.

The Beam is a digital fortress designed for HDMI ARC and Wi-Fi. It completely lacks the old-school RCA (red and white) jacks needed for a typical turntable. I needed a way to get that analog signal into the Sonos ecosystem wirelessly.

The Research & My Chosen Setup

I went down the rabbit hole of forums and reviews. I could have chosen an “easy” route with a turntable that has built-in Sonos streaming, but I wanted higher-quality components that I could upgrade later if I wanted to.

After much research on /r/vinyl/, here is the 3-part system I decided on to make this work:

1. The Turntable: Fluance RT85

I decided not to skimp on the actual record player. The Fluance RT85 kept coming up as the best value for serious beginners. It comes with a fantastic cartridge (the needle part) and that stunning acrylic platter looks amazing. Crucially, it does not have a built-in phono preamp, meaning it’s purely focused on the mechanics of playing the record.

2. The Boost: U-Turn Pluto 2 Preamp

Because the RT85 doesn’t have internal electronics to boost the signal, the sound it produces is incredibly quiet. I needed a dedicated preamp to bring that signal up to a listenable level. The U-Turn Pluto is simple, well-regarded, and perfect for this job.

3. The Bridge: Sonos Connect:Amp

This was the missing puzzle piece. To get the sound from the turntable to my Beam, I needed a Sonos device with analog inputs. The Sonos Connect:Amp acts as the bridge.

• • How it works: The turntable plugs into the Pluto preamp -> The Pluto plugs into the Connect:Amp -> The Connect:Amp broadcasts the music wirelessly to my Sonos Beam.

Ready to Spin

It’s a bit more gear than just buying a Bluetooth record player, but this setup gives me the best of both worlds: the tactile, high-quality analog experience of the Fluance RT85, seamlessly integrated into the whole-home digital convenience of my existing Sonos system.

Now, the only thing left to do is buy that first record.

]]> https://vietfella.com/hobbies/scratching-the-itch-diving-into-vinyl-with-my-sonos-setup/feed/ 0 https://vietfella.com/cars/project-dad-van-phase-1-the-stealth-audio-overhaul/ https://vietfella.com/cars/project-dad-van-phase-1-the-stealth-audio-overhaul/#respond Wed, 14 May 2025 21:53:41 +0000 https://vietfella.com/?p=1015 I recently picked up a used 2021 Toyota Sienna XSE. It checks every box for a family hauler—great MPGs, tons of room, and sporty looks—except one: the audio. The stock 8-speaker non-JBL system is flat, muddy, and totally uninspiring.

I wanted concert-quality sound without losing any cargo space to a subwoofer box. Following the legendary build log by user ‘cowdog360’ on SiennaChat.com, I decided to tackle a full front-stage upgrade using his “killer value” equipment recommendations.

The Master Plan: Active Bi-Amplification

The secret sauce here isn’t just replacing speakers; it’s changing how they are powered. The stock Sienna powers the dash tweeter and door woofer off a single channel.

I’m converting this to active bi-amplification. I’ll use a 4-channel amplifier to power each of the four front speakers individually. This lets me use active crossovers to send perfectly filtered frequencies to specifically chosen drivers.

The Gear List

Taking a page directly from ‘cowdog360’s’ recommendations for high-value performers, here is the loadout:

• The Brains (Amp): Kicker KEY200.4. The “AI” amp. It’s tiny, powerful (50W x 4), and includes a microphone for auto-EQ and time alignment.

• Dash Speakers (Mid-Range): CDT Audio Unity 8.0. While many use Audiofrogs here, ‘cowdog360’ pointed out these CDTs as a “giant killer” alternative at nearly half the price. They are “wideband” speakers, meaning they handle virtually all vocals and highs without needing a separate tweeter.

• Door Speakers (Woofer): CDT Audio CL-69 SUB CF. These are 6×9″ carbon-fiber dedicated subwoofers. Since I’m not running a big box in the trunk, these will handle all the mid-bass and low-end duties right in the doors.

Installation Notes

1. Mounting the CDTs

This wasn’t exactly a drop-in affair.

• Dash: The CDT Unity 8.0s sound amazing, but they don’t have factory Toyota mounting tabs. I had to get creative with some universal backstraps (some forum members 3D print custom mounts) to get them secure under the factory grilles.
• Doors: The CDT Carbon Fiber woofers are heavy beasts. Flimsy plastic adapters won’t cut it. I followed the forum advice and used heavy-duty HDPE speaker adapters (like those from Tacotunes) to make sure these woofers had a solid foundation to kick hard without rattling the door.

2. The Bi-Amp Wiring

Because Toyota hides the splitter for the front speakers deep in the dash, you can’t easily use the factory wiring for standard bi-amping.

• I used the existing factory wiring to feed the powerful new door woofers (Channels 3 & 4).
• I had to run new speaker wire from the Kicker amp directly up to the dash locations for the Unity 8.0s (Channels 1 & 2).

3. The “AI” Tuning

Once installed, I utilized the Kicker KEY’s auto-setup. You plug in the included microphone, play a specific pink noise track, and let the amp do its thing. It analyzes the response of the CDT drivers in the Sienna’s unique interior and automatically sets the EQ, time delay, and crossovers.

The Results

The combination of the CDT Carbon woofers and Unity widebands is incredible.

The Unity 8.0s on the dash raise the soundstage right to eye level—vocals are crystal clear and centered. Meanwhile, those carbon fiber 6x9s in the doors provide shockingly deep, tight bass that makes you think there’s a small sub hidden somewhere in the back.

It’s a stealth installation that looks 100% stock but sounds completely aftermarket. Huge thanks to the SiennaChat community for the roadmap!