Buyer's remorse - your worst purchase?

OK - OK!! I was one of those Nordost takers who violated the first rule of Audiophilia (listen first) and spent a lot of money on Quattro-Fil and SPM Reference based on the press. It simply did not sound good in my system at all. Fortunately (for me at least), there were eager takers on Audiogon so the pain has been eased somewhat.

I am one of theose "Nordost takers" that recently upgrades to Red Dawn Rev II speaker cable (Bi-Wire) and SPM interconnect and could not be happier (I did listen first). I firmly believe that anyone that listens to these cables in a high quality system will be quite impressed. Also, not to get off track, I think my worst purchase was a Audio Alchemy DTI Pro (not the 32).

Oddly, I have never had a "worst purchase" until two months ago. I bought a Monster Power HTS3500 line conditioner after reading Robert Harley's rave comments in TAS about the HTS2000. I assumed that since the HTS3500 offered another filter stage, it had to be better than the HTS2000. WRONG!! When I installed the 3500 in my system (which is a pretty decent one with Bryston amps, Vandersteen 3A Signature speakers, etc.), there was a noticeable deterioration in the overall sound quality. My wife said it sounded like I had substituted some really bad speakers, or a bad preamp. After several weeks, I read a couple of comments in "AudioReview" by other owners of the HTS3500, who had the same experience I did. At that point, I sold the 3500 and bought two of the HTS2000's. BIG DIFFERENCE!! The sound quality of my system not only returned to its previous state, but showed improvements in the deep bass and high end, plus an improved video quality on the TV. So, I guess the lesson here is that more features and higher cost doesn't guarantee anything. For anyone considering the purchase of the HTS3500, I'd strongly recommend getting the HTS2000 instead.

Lexicon CP2. The MOST sterile sounding processor/pre out there. Not only that, it spent more time in the repair shop than in my rack.

SDcampbell, I am one of those who posted the "warning" in AudioReview about buying Monster HTS 3500 thinking it is even better than HTS 2000......I immediately noticed drop in overall sound quality, returned item immediately for HTS 2000 and Robt Hartley was right on, a very noticeable improvement in all respects, I agree that for the money there is no other product that offers same degree of improvement to ones system......BTW I hope you didn't overpay globe-mart.com has HTS 2000 for $125 new, Sam