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After reading Stereophile and other lesser publications for the last decade, what advice could I need? Now most people ask ME for advice. They don't always take it, but they do ask (or do I just tell them?).

I ask the opinion of others but I let my ears be my guide.

I have a great dealer, John Rutan of the Audio Connection, who has a great ear and is incredibly concerned with helping me get the best sound from my system. He has installed every piece of equipment that I own, whether I bought it from him or not. He has also kept me from spending money on useless tweaks and upgrades, and he remains dedicated to helping his customers get the best possible sound quality from the equipment they own. He also takes the time to make sure that the equipment you buy works well with the equipment that you already own, a rarity among high-end professionals.

I think it is important to have someone helping you, especially in a hobby like hi-fi.

In spite of all I think I know, I value the advice and opinions of friends and "experts." Ultimately, I make the final decision on what makes pleasing music for me . . .

I value the comments of better reviewers because they have the opportunity to expose themselves to an enormous variety of equipment under usually very good conditions. Hence they can get quite a good sense of a product's relative value and relative capability. Those are two primary questions for me when evaluating a purchasing decision.

The magazines of course are my major source of audio advice Magazines include Stereophile/TAS.

I value a small number of magazine writers. Martin Colloms and Paul Messenger are the two I value the most. They writes honest.

Sometimes you just have to ask for some help, but that takes most of the fun out of this hobby.

Living in a rural area, I rely on the printed word to direct my search for new components and music. Once in a dealership, I will ask for input from a knowledgeable group of sales reps.

The toughest aspect of getting good advice (for me) is identifying sources whose value chains are aligned with mine. To make matters worse, this is typically a trial-and-error process. I trust my ears over all else.

I'm only 20 years old and I know more about audio than anyone one I know or have met, so there's no need to ask for advice.

It makes no sense not to seek some advice, no one can know it all.

I rely mainly on magazine reviews.

Experts can point out products I might want to hear. But they can have their delusions---Shun Mook is proof of that. I buy for and with my ears. Nobody else can do the job for me but me.

I've had bad advice from mags in the past, which I've happily ignored. So now I trust my own ears. I like mags for ideas more than opinions.

I work for a living. I don't have the time or the inclination to spend traveling to audition equipment.

Even though I see myself as a knowledgeable audiophile, I have come to the conclusion that even the most knowledgeable among us do not know everything, and sometimes even we seek advice/opinions from others. For any audiophile, it's a natural way of life. Should've seen me 16 years ago.

With the vast amount of equipment available, I find it extremely helpful to receive expert guidance with respect to equipment choices. The next step, of course, is too listen to yourself to recommended equipment.

Usually rely on magazine or net equipment reviews and discussion with audio store sales people.

I have learned over the years: it is better to listen for yourself.

I value an audio expert's opinions as much as that expert respects my sensibilities. Sometimes that means that I value the opinion, but more often then not I can not pay any credence to the opinions of an expert. There is one exception---the only audio experts I unfailingly trust are my two ears. They will lie to me far less than anyone else.

I have a great audio dealer who helps me with my sound system.

I ask others for brands and products I should listen to, then I evaluate the products for myself.

I ask others for brands and products they like, then I evaluate these products for myself.

I get "some" advice, but then I listen! That is the true test.

Since I work every day as an A/V engineer, I do take the advice of others in the field very seriously. But when it comes to a final decision, I let my ears and a LOT of research be my most influential guides.

I find that TAS and Stereophile are good starting points. But ultimately it's my ears and my seats at OCPAC, L32-33, mid-orchestra.

ADVICE!! No thanks, I have two ears..

Nah, never ask for a second opinion, because I are practically a geenuis to begin with. MP3's and 8-track tapes are the way ta-go man! (you're welcome)