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I bought some stuff from a rummage sale or thrift store. That's where my vintage Marantz gear came from! No chance to listen to it there. But when it came to the digital end, I had to have a Theta and I bought mine from someone on ebay. I remembered the sound at the store where I first heard a Theta DAC many years earlier. When I shell out big bucks, I'm gonna have to listen to the gear first.

Many times I hear the component before a purchase, but there are times when you gotta go by a review, not necessarily from Stereophile magazine. Amatuer reviews on the internet are also valid. It may not be the best way to audition a piece of equipment, but it may be the cheapest.

I purchased a pair of Revel M20 speakers based on the reviews that I had read and the fact that the M20s had received a perfect "5" on the AudioReview website. I ended up returning them because they were not what I had expected.

I've taken chances on un-auditioned equipment. I will usually base such a purchase decision on advice from a trusted friend or out of town dealer, rather than a magazine review.

eBay is a great way to buy gear for bargain prices just to audition. I have purchased my entire system (pre/pro, amps, DVD, CD) this way.

A Marantz 2216 reciever, a Garrard table, Denon AVR 3300, and two pairs of AR speakers—all off e-bay for pennies on the dollar. Couldn't see where I could lose, even if something turned out to be more trash than treasure.

Bought a PS Audio HCA-2 and Lab-2 Power cord used. Hooked it up to my PS Audio IV Preamp and Vandersteen speakers, and was blown away by the treble from the CDs and phone. Why did I wait so long to get a great amp?

Frequently, due to starting on Hi-Fi's yellow brick road with a pauper's budget. You go for what is available at the price, or more often (thanks to Richer Sounds and their ilk) the most expensive component that has been discounted down to your financial level. Now I'm in a situation where I can pick and choose a little more, but back then the object was to acquire a complete working system as quickly as possible, rather than the best available at the price. Maybe I was lucky, but I was fairly satisfied with everything I got this way, except a rather cheap'n'nasty turntable, which was the first item that got upgraded.

Dynavector 17D2 phono cartridge. I previously owned the XX 10 MkII and was quite comfortable moving up in the line.

CARTRIDGE - YOU TRY AND DEM ONE VERSUS THE OTHER?

I bought my cables unheard, relying on reviews and hearsay, because they are so system and break-in dependent that extended home testing is mandatory. Also, the brands I have been interested in were not available locally, there were pricing advantages in buying mail order or used, and they ship safely and easily. I also purchased a Musical Fidelity A3 DAC on the web because of its reputation and price, and am glad I did. Everything else was auditioned.

I purchased Pinnacle Classic Gold Tower speakers based on reviews, and was very satisfied with the outcome.

Bought a Music Hall MMF-5 turntable from on online dealer...on blind faith of fellow audiophile's reviews. I'm happy with it.

I bought my Music Hall MMF-2.1 turntable "sound-unheard" three years ago. I was just getting into vinyl, and with a price of US $300 and the convenience of mail order, it seemed to be worth the risk. The gamble paid off ten-fold—I love it!

What: TacT Audio products, an RCS2.2X digital preamp, two S2150 digital power amps, four W210 subwoofers. Why: Unique products, excellent reviews in the major mags, no-cost trial period, good user support, and, last but not least, only direct sales in US.

Because I'm the one who has to listen to it.

Bought a used Audiomat Prelude Reference amp; no way to audition the used unit 1st, and wouldn't waste a local dealer's time with no intention to buy from him.

None-Felt Mat - a bargain and I don't like Felt as it attracts dust - a no-brainer. MF A300 from AA - Familiar with previous amps from MF, so had no hestitation to score a bargain here. With 30 day return policy, again an easy and happy purchase.

I bought westlake BBSM 10VNF speakers without listening to it since the dealer did not have that in the store, and I bought it.

Not yet, but with companies like H-CAT and Sonogy offering factory direct prices and 30-day return policies on their highly praised gear, I may do so in the future.

A pair of MartinLogan Aerius is. In my country (Mexico), there are no places to listen and compare high-end components and this product was an obvious upgrade to my previous speakers (KEF Q 15)—and, of course, it was a Stereophile Class B product.

My Meridian 588. I knew exactly how it would sound. Like nothing. It just let the music through.

The Adcom GDA-600 DAC, based on Robert Harley's recommendation in Stereophile (1993?). The local dealer (Tweeter in Hyannis, MA) didn't even have one out of the box! While no longer the big dog in my main system, it's still very good. Also, the Music Hall MMF-5 (2001) based on Michael Fremer's recommendation and the Adcom GFP-710 (last month) based on reputation alone (both from Audio Advisor, both keepers).

never listen before purchase go by r stereo revue&sterophile

Preamp and I may be forced to do the same with an amp.

There are others who listen for me. The reviewers

I ordered a headroom little headphone amp and Sennheiser 580s on the strength of reviews. I have a system worth about $10,000, excluding the headphone setup. The short answer is: buying the little and 580s without auditioning was a mistake, probably the most disappointing (if not the most expensive) since I started buying audio equipment.

The answer to your question is yes. Why : Because I don't trust my ears in single-event sighted listening tests. What : my whole system

I am thinking about it though. There are a couple of things available only at Audio Advisor that I'd really like to hear. I guess that's a glorified in-home demo though. It wouldn't surprise me if many of Stereophile's readers have run out and bought items based on a good review without hearing the piece. My general thought is that's pretty sad!

Only once, when I bought a Model 20 SME and let me tell you, that I don't regret it. It's beautiful, simple, well-engineered, with great attention to detail, and what a sound (totally neutral and very dynamic). I have had the opportunity to visit the plant at Steyning one year before my purchase and I was so impressed and so welcomed, but I couldn't hear this model in the factory demo room. When the brand is so famous and worldwide known as SME is, you can't really be disappointed. Furthermore, it's difficult to compare this kind of gear ('tables) in France, because LP's are not a mass market any more. It's also hard to compare exactly the same package in your favorite hi-fi shop and the one you have at home. On the contrary, I think it's very important to listen to a future loudspeaker system, whatever the listening conditions are (the more different they are, the best it is), to truly define the personality of the product you want to buy.