Let's have a chuckle but please don't overwork the moderator!

[Jasonovich]

It's been a while since we had a debate/altercation 😉 about things we consider taboo in HiFi.
I don't hold my cards close to my chest, I tell you straight, I'm a cable guy. Just like puppies, they all have a heart but come with different personalities.

Headphonesty went for the jugular with this, which prompted me to ask the question, which of those snake oil products hold water or have some value or credibility and explain why.

There's a proviso, let's be respectful and polite to each other.
This is meant to be fun!!!! 😁

15 Worst Audiophile Snake Oil Products That Break the Laws of Physics but Still Sell in 2025 | Headphonesty https://share.google/54FGyxZ3ktut7Rtds

 

[RTHerringbone]

I think like any market, there are speculative manufacturers looking to apply a marketing spin to a placebo effect.

Of all the things in that list, the ones that sound plausible to me are isolation feet. For me, everything else is just smoke and mirrors and should be avoided.

I strongly doubt that any of those other things will make an audible unmeasured difference. And even if measured and they show a deviation, it doesn't mean the human ear can hear it anyway.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Having one speaker much closer to the setup than is ideal, to the point that very loud volume would occasionally cause CDs to skip before I addressed it, I'll defend vibration absorption to the death!

 

[nopiano]

A salutary reminder to avoid any product with nano or quantum in its name! Shunyata and Nordost are firmly on my ‘fabulous to look at, but a complete waste of money’ list. YMMV.

 

[Jasonovich]

Having one speaker much closer to the setup than is ideal, to the point that very loud volume would occasionally cause CDs to skip before I addressed it, I'll defend vibration absorption to the death!

Simple tweaks shouldn't cost you almost as much as your setup. I totally agree with speaker/amp/turntable absorption pads, really do help in isolating unwanted vibrations that can adversely affect the sound quality.
AudioSerenity ISO pads are my favourites, do the job well and inexpensive.
I think somebody mentioned in an old thread, cutting tennis balls in half do the trick. I'm tempted to try that! 🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

A salutary reminder to avoid any product with nano or quantum in its name! Shunyata and Nordost are firmly on my ‘fabulous to look at, but a complete waste of money’ list. YMMV.

That is why I don't have the slightest bit of remorse in purchasing faux Nordost Valhalla 2 speaker cables from AliExpress.
Don't cost an arm and a leg, constructed well and are very very very GOOD!

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

Has anyone here, been daft enough to try one of these? https://www.audiodestination.co.uk/...-ten-grounding-points-includes-entreq-cleanus