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What's the most overrated or overpriced piece of equipment you own, have owned or come by?

This hobby of ours is extremely rewarding, but can also be very expensive. I don't mind paying the big bucks (if I can afford it) for better sound. But many companies out there take advantage of us poor bastards and sell us snake oil equipment at exorbitant prices. Well...This is your chance to share with other Audiogonners.

This is your chance to GET EVEN :-)
mozart4040
dgarretson
2,600 posts
 

The $4K represents everything in the loom.  Materials for the speaker cables cost $750.

BTW, I'm not suggesting that cables are unimportant-- rather that this endeavor is accessible to the average DIYer with almost no knowledge of electronics.  Once understood you could hire a high school student or my sister-in-law to make cables... 

zavato's avatar
zavato
1,405 posts
 
The only item that I've purchased that ultimately proved a disappointment was a Thorens turntable in bought in the mid 80's. Motor issues and tonearm bearing issues were routine. Admittedly it was not a very pricey table, and I did have it for about 5 years. Sold it and bought a Rega Planar 3 which was problem free. 

I did did have a California Audio Labs CD player that needed several warranty repairs. Without jinxing anything I would say all my present gear has been quite problem free. For instance, I've had my turntable for 18 years now and it has never needed any repairs. 
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
DarTZeel

nice finish, sound like Kenwood
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
Lots of nice post here, very interesting. I can really agree with Mitch4T. I started this game in mid 80’s with a much lower income. Over the years I’ve been disappointed with a lot of the so called Giant Killer products but that’s where we go when the funds a low. Once my disposal income reached a little higher level, I’ve been real happy with my buys. Of course, the education I have received along way helped.
bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
This one is easy...I bought one of the Carver "The Receiver" and I ended up counting the hours until that thing sold in the newspaper classifieds.  It literally sounded awful.   I don't think there was anything mechanically wrong with it, it just turned my Infinity speakers into echoing soup cans, and not due to an impedance or power-requirement mismatch. 

The shame is, I’m sure Carver makes lots of great gear (I assume?) but after that purchase I’ve never been able to go back to that brand.
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