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How did you choose your equipment?

As I surf this site and look at different systems, certain questions arise for me: What actually makes people choose one manufacturer over another? What was the influence or recommendation that made you decide on an amp from company "x" instead of company "y"? I'm guessing it's from one of these possibilities:

1) Read a review from an audio magazine: This is probably (and unfortunately), the most common way.

2) Visiting your local audio retailer: Honestly, how many of us do this anymore? The internet is a big place...

3) Hearing a friends system. This seems like the most likely way. Think about it: Brick and mortar audio stores are so scarce that it makes it difficult to go somewhere and listen to a variety of equipment. When locations to hear music are rare, going to your friends house is the most likely method. Obviously, the possibility of you purchasing one of those components increases.

4) Finding a deal on the internet without actually hearing or reading about the component: Basically, taking a chance on something.

So, what determines your decision?
devilboy
mingles
775 posts
 
I want to echo what Entrope said:
finding local audiophiles and listening to their gear.
This is one of the best ways to learn. I've met a number of great people through the classifieds. As long as you're upfront and honest about your intentions, you'll find that most audiophiles love an audience to listen to, and talk about, their gear. Some of my best experiences have been in these situations.
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
I am very conservative and change components very slowly: Research+ears, and serendipity+ears. I do my research in a variety of ways: Internet, mags, and a lot of phone calls to friends, dealers, importers, manufacturers. Eaquipped with my own test compilation CD, I listen to the equipment I researched at friends, dealers, RMAF, my own system. . . I am open to being surprised. . . by equipment I thought I would like and didn't. . . and by devices I never even considered and ended up loving at first audition. In the end, I seldom acquire anything I haven't listened first to a fair extent. Oh yes, She Who Must Be Obeyed must be obeyed all the time. . . and must approve. . . which She does very seldom. . . so errors in judgement must be avoided at all cost, because correcting them may take years.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I place all the pictures of stereo stuff spread out on the garage floor. I put a chicken in the garage. Whichever picture the chicken shits on.. THAT is the equipment I buy.
(8^Q...
Actually I just buy what is well liked (good comments, reviews) and available in my area to audition.(if new) or I can find it on the goN' used
My stuff:
B&W 805s new local demos with free stands
Adcom pre new local special order someone else did not buy
Sony SC777ES local demo
Forte 4a amp local new
Kimber cables, new speaker cable local, some interconnect from the goN' and some Blue heaven from the goN'
Audio Research phono PH-1 and a PH-2 from the goN'
TT's: one from eBay (when I still used eBay) and one from a Audioasylum member who emailed me after I posted about something on the site.
surround sound speakers local blowout sale Canton 300CS and 360CD.
Receiver Denon 4806 demo local
DVD local new blowout sale Denon 5910
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Elizabeth,

The only problem with your chicken---- approach is that I think chickens hear differently than people and more like turkeys!
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Mapman, Elizabeth got an audiophile grade chicken. . . she got it used on Agon for a song.. . . and that was of course a used song.
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