Your fav online resource for high end gear is....

My first and foremost resources are my ears. If I've heard it, than I know what is best for me. When researching gear, I try to listen to my friend's systems, and go to the stereo shows, so I can audition gear myself. (I don't go to B&M stores, as I feel that is ethically wrong to use them for demo's, when I know that I will not be buying from them.)

Second, would be the opinions of my friends and online acquaintances, especially those whose sonic tastes are similar to my own. If they say they have heard a particular piece that I am interested in, and they liked it, then that gives me some more clues as to whether to pursue auditioning that piece myself.

Third, (and this is starting to get pretty far down my reliability list), are online forums such as Audiogon and Audio Asylum. While I don't trust everyone's views, I can usually get a decent feel for where they are coming from. I have found some good information from some of the members of both sites. (Usually I use these sites pretty early on in my research, in order to narrow the rather broad field of equipment.)

Fourth, would be the rock bottom of the resources that I use, which would be the print and online magazines and websites. HiFi+ used to be my favorite print magazine, (when Roy Gregory was there), followed by Stereophile and The Absolute Sound. Online magazines and websites such as 6moons, Positive Feedback, 10Audio, etc... Most of these people either get paid, or get freebies, or heavy discounts, for their reviews, so I really take their opinions with a large grain of salt!

My two cents worth anyway.

I research from many sources and look for patterns of positive comments. If you get several similar comments or observations from multiple sources, then there is a better chance that they are true.

Then I go out and listen to gear wherever and whenever I can.

I second Kurt Tank's response of yourself, friends, Audiogon, and magazines in that order.

Michael

I turn to everything from magazines to Audioreview and of course Audiogon. Still, there is no substitute for listening for yourself if possible. In my case it isn't always possible. I read many glowing reviews of the Pass Labs X250.5 for example, and it was not what I expected, and not at all suited to my perferences, even though it seemed from what I read that it would be. On the other hand, I bought Spendor speakers based on professional and consumer reviews, and they were pretty much what I had expected,and I was satisfied.

At the end of the day the ears will decide. But before one can do that, one has to know what is out there crying "buy me". Also, auditioning the object of desire is not always possible (take the example of the splendid SRA platforms that are model-specific and custom-made).

So, even when I'm not looking to buy something, I continuously gather information mostly from magazines and online publications to get as broad an overview as possible of various gear, this may include technical specs as well as listening reviews. That way one also gets a fairly good idea of the reviewer's tastes and biasses. I may therefore be more "forgiving" than many 'goners when it comes to reviews. I just keep in mind that: 1) phrases including the words "The Best ..." are plain balderdash; 2) the overwhelming majority of magazines will never review products of manufacturers that do not take out ads with them (there seem to be exceptions), so the overall picture can never be complete; 3) mostly, you've got to read carefully between the lines to spot critical tones (yes, there are exceptions as well). You asked which ones: on a more or less regular basis HiFi+, LP, Hifi&Records, 6moons, positive feedback, Haute Fidélité, Stereoplay, Image Hifi, Stereo (Germany), Stereo (US), Stereophile, hifi.nl, Music Emotion, High fidelity online, Enjoy the Music, I'm sure I forgot a few. Some of these are more convincing than others, but at this stage all are merely information.

Whenever possible, I try to check that information by listening extensively at fairs and shows, where I also look for opportunities to listen to and compare with gear that is not in the mags or on the web. When I am actually looking for something, I try to broaden the base by asking specific questions on Audiogon (no other forums for me, take that as a compliment everybody) and discussing matters with manufacturers and (only) such dealers that I know very well. Friends and other acquaintances? Sorry not a preferential source, as many of them turn out to be the most biassed of all.