I once replaced a worn-out big bucks stylus and broke the new one in a matter of minutes by being a klutz.
what the _____
I noticed this poll question in the Stereophile site...Have you ever broken,wrecked etc a piece of audio gear? I will contribute the time I was mounting a Grado Sonata and my hand slipped tearing the tonearm wires out of the arm.My Grado went onto the floor where the "previous" cat slapped it around till I could get it away from her.The Grado was fine.Tone arm ruined.Luckily it was a cheap arm from my old Music Hall and Roy sent me a new one ($60)