What's the worst high-end set-up you've had?

A complete Gryphon system, cables and all, on loan from a dealer. Didn't work with my Quads and Sound Labs I had at the time. Dead, lifeless, edgy, but very hifi.....)-:

Krell integrated, Coincident Tech Conquest, Musical Fidelity E624 CDP. So bright and edgy it torn the enamel from my teeth. Skull piercing, ear icepicks where no amount of adjustment or cable changes would tame the sonic pithing this combo delivered.

This configuration lasted one week before I traded the Conquests for Dynaudio 50's and sold the Krell. The E624 is still in secondary use nicely matched with an Electrocompaniet AW70 amp and a Promethius passive preamp.

Celestion SL6S being driven by a Carver Receiver and connected with Monster Cable IC's and speaker cables. Grating was the best it could do. A Counterpoint SA 3.1 and Sumo 9 fixed that problem.

Entrope, that's funny, man!

That's by far the best chuckle I've had all day.

C-bob,

Unhappily it is also an accurate description of the sound.