What's your biggest surprise in hifi?


After being in this hobby since the 70's, my own 2 biggest surprises are: [1] records sound better than cds. [2] More expensive isn't necessarily better. [for example, I once paid well over $10,000 for a set of separate components which were bettered by a $1500 integrated amp....What were your biggest surprises?
boofer
Response to Jafont: It was a Naim nait, which later was later replaced by a Supernait, which produced no better sound.
How important a tonearm is in the reproduction chain, and how great a really old turntable (Garrard 301) can sound.
"4. That some have thousands of records and keep buying more."

They're like tribbles!

"That stock fuses degrade the sound so spectacularly."
Nelson Pass once told me to change the input fuses in my Adcom GFA535 to 5amp ceramics. Just wow!