I learned the hard way

@slaw - I became aware of this issue because I have a NAIM amp and they promote the use of low capacitance cables as stated on their web site, probably because they have had to deal with the issue before.
Their NACA5 cables have pretty low capacitance values

The acquaintence that had the Ayre amps went on to borrow the Gryphon after the Ayre had the issue.

Unfortunately the Gryphon suffered the same fate - OUCH!

Neither Ayre or Gryphon had anything posted on their web sites at the time (over 2 years ago)

Even the technician that fixed the Gryphon had never heard of the issue. He was quite nervous when I hooked up my Van den Hul D352 cables - also very low capacitance - he even asked "are you sure" - YES was the reply - they presented no problems.

The cables that caused the issue were Cardas - I don’t recall the model - but a few of their cables do have quite high capacitance and they do publish the capacitance values, so perhaps they are at least aware of the possibility?

As for the Dealers - I have only found NAIM dealers I have dealt with do advise customers of this issue - probably in order to sell you the NACA5 cable :-).

Is this a case of "Buyer Beware" - or should the manufacturer "state the obvious"

I think it should be - ON THE BOX - at least in the manual - in BIG RED LETTERS!

It’s funny to think the manuals contain text that warn you of electric shock hazards - but not this issue?

It would be interesting to know if it is covered under related warranties?

All I know is - the Ayre and the Gryphon were in the $10k snack bracket - they should have a $0.50 sticker on the top stating the obvious

Regards - Steve

I learned twice that the stylus guard protects the stylus only when installed.  I also learned when buying a used cartridge the same rule aplies for a total of three stylus guard lessons.  

@slaw , did the same exact thing about 2 to 3 years ago, still have about 1/4 bottle left because I only use it once in awhile.

@williewonka - This amplifier/ high capacitance speaker cable issue is discussed by Roger Russell (former Macintosh designer) in the attached URL below.  Scroll down to the "Amplifier Stability and Amplifier Performance" section.

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#silverwire

@mikexxyz - Exactly so.  Pathological cables connected to pathological amplifiers may well cause sonic (and electronic) problems. Put another way, cables designed to affect the frequency response (i.e. tone controls) and/or amplifiers designed to have a particular 'sound' (i.e. a tone control with gain, versus a straight-wire with gain approach), will indeed affect the sound, and/or result in liberating smoke previously trapped within the electronics...