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Listening to it! Listening to other similar devices. Getting the opinions of others. Check the wallet.

Arm with 5 favourite and familiar CD, change one component at a time. Narrow down to 2 or 3 components. Do a second round. Choose the one I like most! Pay for it. Take it home. Wire it up and run in. And it never sounds as good as in the demo room...

I have to get the equipment into my system. Only long term listening will show me the products merit!

First reading recommendations, audio lecture. And then listen at home! When everyting is alright, listen sessies and price then il buy!

I like to buy my equipment used, first I determine how much I can afford to spend. Then, I start looking in the paper, online, go to different stereo stores etc. After I locate a piece of gear, I try to do as much research as I can, then listen to the equipment, preferably in my system.

1) Develop a "short list" of components from reviews, ads, company reputation etc. 2) Home audition, 3) Home audition 4) Home audition.

1. Listening to the product. 2. Listening to others. 3. Reading Professional Reviews. 4. Learning about the company.

The music is either more or less involving. If it is more involving, it playing through a better component.

In store trials, reviews, friends comments

Listening to my current system and making comparison listens to various upgrade products. Some of the first components I bought on instinct, or recomendation, or price, and also comparison shopping. I try to listen and compare when possible, either in the salesroom, or my own listening room.