What about a product can irritate you?

Practicality in design:

one pre I used, had the two pre OUTputs on EITHER side of "pro in", at the back of the unit, the unit being large and deep of course (so, no visibility from front). So, 9/10 when I changed IC, one of the amps was mute OR one channel on one amp was mute -- and I'd invariably get a small heart attack wondering what the H blew and why... until I realised I'd connected the pro-in.

The Thiel engineering hurdle, as per Ketchup above. To visualise the problem, think of THICK cable and trying to screw it on UNDER each spkr, when the nut rolls away... majestic!

The Valve Conundrum, as per Redkiwi:

*Am I burning IN or burning OUT?????

The "deep class A" solid-state challenge:

*whether 'tis better to leave it on all the time and foot the bill and risk burn out if high ambient temperatures BUT enjoy the music at guise OR, switch it off/on as required and sleep at nights and stick to being PATIENT (until it reaches optimum operating conditions by which time it's usually other peoples' bedtime).

Gimme a boomblaster

How about The titles on CD jewel cases being written so small , or in illegible script. Trying to read a track name in a relaxed low lighted listening room is close to impossible and unnecessary . The purpose of writing something is so we CAN READ IT.

Honest1
Great laughs with your post.!!!
Thanks
George

IEC's - aftermarket power cords never fit tight so you wonder when is one of these monsters going to fall out while jammin and send a tweeter across the room.

One little pet peeve I have about products is that they will sometimes suddenly perform miraculously immediately before totally failing. You go off to bed saying to yourself 'wow, the stereo really played music tonight'. The next day it blows up on you. If it was performing like rubbish the pain would be much less severe, and you would use it as an excuse to just buy something new anyway.