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What has been your costliest mistake in this hobby?

For example :I recently learned a hard lesson- I accidentally ran voltage thru my $3000 MC cartridge (kiseki purple heart).  I have a TT with 5 prong connector and a phono cable with a 5 prong connector.  I accidentally swapped where they plugged into and ran electric thru the tonearm into the cartridge.  It was a stupid - not thinking- hasty mistake. When I corrected the problem the cartridge was fried.  An avalanche of four letter words followed!

So what has been your biggest and/or costliest mistake?
polkalover

Showing 2 responses by janehamble

janehamble
123 posts
 
@cd318 thanks for your sympathetic words.  You're correct that these expensive components are extremely vulnerable on my particular speakers.  Tiny protective grills for the tweeters would be helpful.  

After my expensive accident, I've taken to using the mesh grills most of the time.  Unfortunately they diminish the sound quality so I remove them whenever I settle down for serious listening sessions.  As they attach magnetically it only takes seconds to remove them.  My wife prefers the look with the grills on and I do appreciate the peace of mind, knowing there's some kind of protection.
janehamble
123 posts
 
Last year I moved house.  For months after the move I couldn't understand why my sound quality was apparently worse than before.  I blamed the acoustics of my new room.  

Only when doing some REW testing did it come to light that both my Seas tweeters were pressed in.  $900 a pair, plus installation.  I have no idea how this happened.  Could have been a visiting child or dog - but most likely it was clumsy carrying by me.

That being said, the new tweeters are great and my Kudos Super 20's sound better than ever.
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