What's the most overrated/disappointing gear you bought?

[james]

I can (maybe) see the (possible) advantages of separate volume controls for each channel.
Less crosstalk?
But why not couple them with string as used on old style tuners with an analogue dial?
Maybe for true double-mono you should have a 2 box preamp.

[Fran]

I know the dual controls can serve as balance adjustment. Cybot - you are right, it is a pure preference thing and just my own bias!

The airtight integrated amps are not dual mono, so why bother separating them into two controls is what pops into my mind. Anyway as I said, its not that it subtracts anything from the sound quality, just a user preference.

Back to the original topic - I suspect that many of the low cost products from Aliexpress etc might fit this category. I've had mixed results there - the cartridge I mentioned elsewhere is a winner, and a few other things have been real successes. But I suspect some are massively limited and sales are only bouyed up by fanboys on internet forums/discussion groups.

[Derek]

My mistake was a pair of B&W DM610 speakers bought new. Great if you wanted balls-out-rock all-night-long, but about as much finesse as a house brick. Female vocals were kept in each respective speaker. Dynamics were on or off. Never got them to work better than I described regardless of amplifier I put with them. Great for head banging though.