What’s your vote for the most ridiculous, overpriced, and useless tweak?

Anyone else find an inverse relationship between the amount of hyperbole used to describe a tweak type product and the actual performance enhancement brought about by the product?  
How about a similar inverse relationship between the packaging used for certain products and the value those products bring to a system.  For example, why would a device designed to be installed in your breaker box need to be delivered in a watertight Pelican case?  Finally, add a mystical connotation by sealing the case the item is in (i.e., opening this case voids the warranty) and "mums the word" about what is inside, and then you have a product that can sell for many multiples of what you put into it.

Anti-audiophiles and tweakaphobes see hyperbole behind every rock. 

Most of the times people lack the experience linked to an audio system functioning at his peak potential... they bought to upgrade without never knowing the potential of what they already owns... then for them tweaks are only marginal in the final upgrading effect, and they called snake-oil practically anything, especially what seems too costly...For me I dont buy any thing costly and I tweak myself...There is no snake oil if you experiment by yourself...And for me all my tweaks gives more upgrading effect than buying another dac or amp or speakers...My amp and dac and speakers are already top of the line(relatively speaking for sure)…. My best to all...

Okay, I’ll try to answer each of you.

glow_worm ...

A $5k power conditioner to improve the picture of a rear projection TV?
Does this mean that I could breathe new life into my Philco fridge, Zenith radio (6 transistors), and Admiral TV (color) with one of these babies?
Would that be $5,000 each, or could I get by with just one?

All documented improvements are made with just one "The Gate," so you don’t need more than one. TV improvement is a side benefit as far as I’m concerned. The major benefit as far as I see it is the improved sound quality of my audio system. You most likely will have to turn the temperature in your fridge down because it will be operating more efficiently. No, it won’t affect your battery operated radio. Duh!

fsonicsmith ...

Yes, modern refrigerators have thermostats. See the response above to glow_worm. I don’t have air conditioning, so I can’t speak to that. On the overall electric bill ... My electric bill fluctuates so much during the year, it is hard to keep track. With every PPT product tried so far, including TC and the Omega E Mats, I’ve noticed an improvement in TV performance. I use mats under my satellite box and under the DVR, and I have pasted all of the connections of the satellite box, the TV and the DVD player with TC.

I can’t answer your question about my wife’s hairdryer. I don’t have a wife. I used to have a wife, but she told me one day that if I brought home one more piece of audio equipment or one more vinyl LP, she’d leave me ... and you know ... goshdurnit! ... I kinda miss her sometimes.

mitch ...

What seems to be hyperbole to some, is actually an overabundance of enthusiasm for the astounding results attained by PPT products, especially The Gate. You should try one ... 90-day return policy, remember?

On the pelican case. Look, this case brings an air of quality to a quality product. Think of the jeweler who shows you a fine diamond. He doesn’t just throw it on the glass counter-top. Heck no ... he sets it on a nice, plush, black velvet pad in order to show the diamond off in it’s the best light. Besides, the pelican case is the ideal size and an added bonus that can be used as an additional carry on piece of luggage in which to store your adult diapers. :-)

You seem to feel that "The Gate" is being sold for "many multiples of what’s in it." Evidently, you have some insight that the rest of us don’t have. How about sharing with us, exactly what’s in "The Gate," how it’s built and the total cost of production to produce just one "The Gate." I, like you, are curious to know that information too.

Thanks, guyz ...

Frank

I kind of do like Elizabeth’s idea of using toilet paper spools to elevate cables. It does work very well.
I’m a bit surprised that someone hasn’t taken the idea, added a bit of cryo treatment, some fake graphene to the inside of the spools and a secret, special coating to the outside and presented as the next new hi dollar audio tweak,
It wouldn’t work any better or worse than plane old toilet paper spools, but with a healthy dose of hype and a bit of slick marketing - could, no doubt, sell them for thousands.......Jim