What are some of the mistakes, failures or bad purchases of your audio history?

Buying a McIntosh MA252.

Going back aways here,… the Terk Pi amplified FM antenna. I got better reception with manufacturer included “T” wires tacked on the wall.

B&W Matrix 803, Classe CA-200, Clearaudio Delta -S, what really hurts is that i bought them brand new. Fortunately sold them quick with min loss.

Buying expensive speaker stands before I knew -- for sure -- I'd not be upgrading the speakers. I think it was a way of affirming my speaker purchase, but it was short-sighted and I regret it.

Years ago I decided that I would try "free cryo" on a power cord (had 3 of the same model).

The instructions were to seal it in a plastic bag and freeze it for 24 hours, then remove it from the bag and let it set out for a day, or so.

I forgot about it and found the cord approx. 3 months later (pushed to the back of the fridge) with the plastic bag breached.

Let it set for a few days, plugged it into my DAC (Bel Canto 1) and found that it made my setup sound like a small portable transistor radio.

I then submerged both ends in a bowl of raw rice and came back to it a week later (still sounded the same).

Cut the ends off, tossed them, and saved the cable which was eventually used to snake our new @ the time water saving toilet.

I then tossed the cable.

It was one of the first Absolute power cords (sold on A’Gon) for $30/each.

I still have the other two, plus a third one I found @ a local thrift.

DeKay

PS:

Around that same time placed a photo of myself in a plastic bag and then into the freezer, but now don't recall what the purpose of doing so was.

I take the photo out for viewing from time to time (this is over a 20 year time span) and am still amazed that to this day I have not aged one bit.