it's just a starting point, especially as it is not very easy anymore to go listen to numerous products, especially if you're not in big city...
Don't get it, why anyone would ask others "what sounds best"?
As a relative new comer I still continue to wonder why 'audiophiles' continue to ask for opinions on what sounds best. Best sounding amps, best sounding speakers, best sounding cables, and on and on. Everyone has their own opinion, why don't you people put on your ears and listen for yourself and decide what sounds best to you?