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Very influential, and made in U.S.A. is even more important.

Extremely influential when you are new.

a product is like a saxs or violin it should be listen to for what it sounds like and to your tast and enjoyment stay true to the musice as it sounds.

I am result oriented.

The brandname doesn't matter. Sometimes it is even the contrary - and vice-versa - you know what I mean? Good. If the sound is good, if the future customer service is assumed, and if the gear has a great value for money, I'll buy!

The brand name will give insight into quality of sound and of build. There are, however, new brands released with high-quality in both those areas. The thing is, I like an impressive track record, if you will, to take some of the risk out of my high-end purchase. I don't have the money to pay for my mistakes.

I said very influential based upon several factors. I guess, in general, I tend to trust a brand name because of the reliability/warranty issues. Quite frankly with the high-end companies, they tend to be small operations. This in and of itself isn't a bad thing because service MAY be better. BUT, the vagaries of economics may necessitate their demise. So, do I really want to purchase a good sounding expensive CD player or whatever only to learn that the company has gone under? The bigger brand names have longevity and stability. So, ALL other things being roughly equal, I would tend towards the security of equipment (especially expensive) of the more established companies.

A brand name can show what type of sound a product has. Most brands have their own sounds, and to deny that is to not pay attention. A company can only show how good it is by building a quality product and putting its name on it. Marketing cannot influence quality.

I am a person who firmly believes in brand names. I would even venture to say that you get what you pay for. I therefore believe that more expensive, more established companies will give you higher quality. I also think that a company with an established name has more stability and more money for R&D. Plus, the more units they sell, the more they can spread out those R&D costs. However, there seems to be a point of diminishing returns. For instance, Sony is huge, but I don't think that they deliver more performance for the buck than say Krell or Mark Levinson. That's just an opinion though and I'm mostly referring to Sony's really high end stuff. I think a company of say 100 to 200 people sounds like a good size. Back to the point though, a good name to go along with it is always reassuring. I'm influenced by the name to the point that if I really didn't like the name, I would be reluctant to buy it.

I may listen to a name brand product first, but I will buy the product that sounds the best to me.

It's often hard to believe that a company with a crappy product one year, can magically have a good product the next. Reputations often affect your willingness to give someone a second chance.

as far as the brand name could indicate some sound concept and build quality - yes it influences me, but not enough to be the only factor when buying. my ears are.

THE LONGEVITY OF A COMPANY AND IT'S COMMITMENT TO PRODUCE A QUALITY PRODUCT AT A RESONABLE PRICE IS VERY IMPORTANT. I WOULD NOT PURCHASE A PIECE OF EQUIPEMENT FROM A COMPANY THAT I THOUGHT MIGHT GO OUT OF BUSINESS OR DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. I ALWAYS TRY TO CONTACT A COMPANY DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY ARE ACCESSABLE BEFOR I SHOP

Works for me.

The amount of research perceived, the long term support, the market target of the company say a lot

bit hard decide to have unbranded product in without exception how good the sound..when I bored, very hard to find who wanna buy the used product

The brand names of the "usual suspects" (VTL, c-j, Meridian, et al) are indications, but not guarantees, of quality. Of course, if you buy used gear, you should already be familiar with that product's performance, even with a not-so-famous logo on the faceplate. So, a well-respected brandname may open the door to my consideration, but if something I've never heard of is recommended by someone I know, it will get a listen. Then and only then will I decide.

Brand names are a good starting point. However, I feel that one company is not likely to produce the price/performance champions in each area.

None.

AR-JBL ELECTROCOMPANIET CLASS A OK ERGONOMIC PRICE (ROBA DA TELEVISORI) 2 SAT + SUB JBL 46 " !!!!

A company is on the line with each piece of equipment it makes. If a company has great sound, a good history, good customer service and has been around for a while I will buy from them. Not much wrose then spending a package of money and then haveing the company close down.

Would you feel more comfortable buying a name brand amp like a Bryston with a 20-year guarantee, or some no-name "garage" amp from a company you've never heard of?

I judge by what I hear from the paticular product I'm looking for. In that regard, how you trust your dealer is more important then the brand name.

things(companies) change. music does not.

A GOOD COMPANY MAKES A NAME FOR ITSELF.HOW A PRODUCT IS MADE ALOS INFLUENCES HOW I BUY,PARASOUND USES ASIAN LABOUR(OR SLAVE LABOUR) and i dont buy them.i like how they sound but i will never buy them for that reason! fuck em

It is always nice to get that "name" equipment, however I like to let the performance do the talking. Then you have to weigh the reliabity history of the company's products, and the probability the company will be around for the next few years, just in case it breaks and you need parts. Also, since I am a common Joe I look for a good performance/price ratio.

Past performance should mean good products know

Most of the audio outlets I've visited here in Southern California are miserable places, with obnoxious and/or ignorant sales people. Shopping is torture, so I buy known brands that have been well reviewed and call it a day. Have not been disappointed yet.

it is the sound that counts along with product reputation