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My ears, a few friends, and a few acquaintances. Magazine reviewers? No, not really. With the exception of a few . . .

I am the one and only expert on my opinion. I may use newsgroups, journals, friends, etc. as data points, but in the end, it's my ears that make the final judgment.

Hearing is believing! Although I will read article about a particular component or speakers I never believe the hype until I can sit down and listen. Forget about what the saleman has to say and trust your ears.

Professional reviewers---but they can't always be relied on!

The ears is the reason for purchase and those to trust.

i'm somewhat frustrated that the 2 stereophile reviewers who seemed to hear music & eqipment similarly to me (CG & RH)are no longer with you.

I find that Sam Tellig and I have similar tastes in sound, so I make my "Must Audition" list after reading his column.

It is always a tremendous pressure that one's hifi components should be well reviewed in the major magazines. At the very least, there should not be any adverse comments, because one's mind then starts the painful process of component rejection. To avoid heartache and dejection I would audition only those components that have received rave reviews. But my ears will always be the final arbiter in the choice I make.

Actually, all the above. But in the end it's my music taste, my money and what I hear and not somebody elses except maybe my wife's.

In the end, it is, after all, up to you!

If you're waiting for a reviewer, editor, or Recommended Components list to validate a purchase, you'll never be happy. Always trust your ears!

I always trust my ears first, but a good relationship with an educated (and like-minded) audio dealer/sales person is always helpful.

Though a particular audio component may have identifiable sonic traits, this does not preclude that it will be a unimous "like" or "dislike" attribute. For instance, what one listener discerns to be added detail, another will discount as "steely" treble, or even distortion. Audio and music are so peculiarly subjective that one must trust one's ears first.

I like to read colorful descriptions of the sounds as married to the equipment I see being reviewed. But this is like learning to read only by hearing. When I finally get a chance to HEAR FOR MYSELF, all (O.K., most) of my theoretical ponderings become questionable. I then curse Wes Phillips (love-hate, Wes) and begin again.

It really depend's on the individual as far as friends reviewers sales people, newsgroups especially like soundstage where everyone contribute you get much more information about the topic's involved. then again if you have a friend who is a professional reviewer, you have it made...someone who know's a great deal and you can trust.

The only way to tell if something works for you in your system is to listen to it. It really doesn't matter how good a review any piece got if it doesn't work in your system.

Although favourable reviews may get you into the store, most audiophiles will only trust their ears before acutually purchasing.

Professional rerviewers and your local dealer is a great start. But I would not buy a thing util I can hear it in my own home for at least a few days. Compare with your own ears is the best way.

I wish you had allowed us to choose two choices and rank them in order of preference. I always trust my ears and what I hear above all other sources of information. I also appreciate the time and effort that many of Stereophile's writers put into attempting to describe what they hear in a product. I have found that I agree with some writers more than others. My assumption is that we hear things in the sound that have roughly equal importance to our enjoyment of the music. I appreciate what professional reviewers do to help further our understanding and appreciation of music and the equipment that brings it to us. Keep up the good work!

Despite the influence reviewers, journals and sales people may have, I trust my own instincts before shelling out money. But I do need to compare first before I trust my final judgment.

Really it is a combination of the above. One can pick up a lot of information from web sites and the newsgroups and combine that with the professional reviews to give them a starting point. From there you can talk to your local salespeople. But in the end it comes down to what sounds best to you, not to someone else listening to different music in a different system, in a different room from your own. I do believe that in this day of access to so many sources, that reliance upon professional reviews is diminishing. At one time, they were the only game in town for many of us. Dana B.

If it's not already, then it should be understood by everyone that the final arbiters are the ears. At least for those capable of thinking for themselves.

Professional reviewers..They see and play with ALL the new stuff every day. No one else does at their level really...

PT BARNUM is alive and well in HI-FI

IF IT DON'T PLEASE THE EARS, IT AIN'T WORTH A FART. FORGET THE CIRCUIT TOPOLOGY AND COMPONENT QUALITY, REVIEWERS' OPINIONS AND AD GIMMICKS. PERCEIVED GOOD SOUND WILL GRAB ATTENTION. PERIOD!

professional reviewers get us in the ballpark, then I trust my ears

I generally tend to trust the professional reviewers, but have found a tendency on their part to avoid saying anything bad about anyone's product. If they say they noticed that it "lifted a veil," it might be snakeoil. If they go absolutely rabid over how good it was, it probably has something to offer.

sales people can be helpful, but often they tend to sell you the best product for your needs according to what they will profit on the most and what they have in stock.

Reviewers usually provide a concise point of view that can be used as a reference point for purchases. This point of view might prove erroneous to one's ears, or, a right-on recommendation that shuts down all cognitive dissonance. Either way, the reviewers point of view serves as a hinge for the correct decision.

Objective reviewers like "Stereophile" and :Guide to Home Theater." I don't think I've ever seen "Audio" or "Stereo Review" seriously criticize a product. Sales people and mail-order would be at the bottom. I find that with a little research I know as much as the salesperson, and they're paid on a commission and they're going to push what they sell. Manufacturers' web sites help distinguish features of different models. Advertising helps catch the eye. I do enjoy different comments on the internet. My ears at my house. In summary, your reviews and my pocketbook help me make my decisions.