How do you pick your gear? Tips and insights are welcome.

Nothing is more important than your ears.  Demos and auditions are the key.  A friend group of like interested folks is also a great way to hear what different gear can and can't do.

For speakers size, brand, that fits my room and budget.For gear preamp and amp make sure they will match the speakers. Source I prefer brand new especially for SAcd players, transport because lasers do deteriorate in time.For cables I prefer to hear them how they will match the system. Except source I prefer used to save money. Does  sale people has influence on my decision if they are knowledgeable and honest yes. For the most part no. Technical measurements not really, it’s the performance of the gear that influences me.Aways listen first before I buy only if accessible.Why going to Axpona helps because many manufacturers showcase their products and for three days you have the opportunity to hear them. Shows helps a lot.

Personally, I learn about new gear becoming available via YouTube videos, and I watch reviews on there and do further research in online articles, forums, etc. If I can, I'll try to audition, but that sound in the shop may not be at all what it sounds like in my room, and much of what I'm interested in is not available for me to hear locally anyway. I also look for a good return policy in case I'm dissatisfied.... 

Each of my pieces of gear has a different story. Back in the day (25 years ago), there was a good dealer in KC that had a nice mix of products to demo. I discovered Von Schweikert as a result. I bought my current Von Schweikert based on reviews and my familiarity with the company (and conversations with Damon Von Schweikert). I discovered Coda about the same time as my first set of Von Schweikert. I bought my current Coda based on my familiarity with the brand and conversations with Doug Dale (great guy). My LTA MicroZotl preamp was recommended to me by a friend I met on a conrad-johnson FB page. I also checked out reviews. Other gear was selected based on review or just a gut feeling and a roll-of-the-dice. I’ve purchased some cables that didn’t pan out, but I’ve done well with the hardware, I think.

Good question!

Personally, I synthesize lots of information from all available sources.  Of late I also use AI tools, mainly Poe web search,  to help sort through it all in an unbiased manner.  Fun fun fun!  🍾

I read about equipment all the time and ask people questions to whose own the gear. I have received lots of great advice from members on AG and end up reading all their posts. It is more about matching the equipment to my preferences. If I can listen to it, then obvously I do.  If not, I just buy it and try it. It is always fun to get, set up, and listen to new gear. Usually, I like it and keep it, but if I don’t, I can either return it or re-sell it, or just live with it for a bit - not the end of the world. At this level, it is ALL GOOD, just different flavors so I just listen and enjoy and learn. Sometimes the mistakes teach me more than the good choices. If I pick the wrong component, I can listen for a year and then swap it out. Either way, I am having fun and listening to high-end gear.

I pick my gear only after I have consumed a lot of adult beverages, it's my cardinal rule.  The darnedest gear shows up at my door step sometime later and I just shake my head... I did it again.  Great gear comes and great gear goes, I am just along for the ride and it is whole lot of fun along the way.  You could say that I really don't overthink my gear acquisitions. 

I like visiting dealers.  I appreciate hearing things in person.  The last few transactions were with local dealers.   DAC,  CD Transport, Cartridge, and  Pnono pre.  I got really good deals on all.  

I try to buy something for the long haul, it doesn't always work out but I'm happy with the items mentioned with no desire to upgrade anytime soon.   I think it's  mostly because I heard them in person, then in my home with option to return.    

I read reviews, but more to learn about the feature set , capabilities,  etc.   I let my ears decide.  

I have a dealer that I trust which is a big help. I read reviews, watch videos and read forums like this, which helps to get an idea of the list of equipment to try to hear. Ultimately, nothing replaces hearing the component, preferably in your own room, but sometimes that is not possible. Doing research and getting advice can be very helpful in composing the list, but I think you have to be a little careful with how much that influences your decision. Trust your ears. People tend to recommend what they have chosen for themselves, quite naturally, as there is a lot of self affirmation in that. This is a very subjective hobby, however, and everyone has a different set of ears. Ultimately, it’s a matter of choosing well built components that fit your budget and sound the best to your ears, not someone else’s.

Online reviews; owner reviews; video reviews; decide, then purchase (almost always) used.

I think listening to the equipment first doesn't really work well as there are very few hi-end brick and mortar stores, and even if there is one near you the chances of them carrying what you want to listen to is not likely.

Buy, try, sell (or keep).

I look at the measurements on ASR then I send an email to the minion leader asking for his permission to buy the equipment.

No seriously, I read reviews and then audition the equipment, hopefully with the same or similar equipment that I own.

First, it takes a long time, say a year or two. YouTube reviews, assorted Bulletin Boards, on-line reviews, manufacturer inquiries. I am looking for reviewers who cut through nonsense. Eventually, it is a product that gets frequently recommended, fits my needs/wants. Typically, there is a lot of back on forth in my mind, and then suddenly there is clarity. That's when I order it. 

I bought a Holoaudio May DAC L2 based on goldenear's review, following his debunking of MQA. Contrast that with Hans B., heavy on the MQA bandwagon and going on about jitter (is that even audible?).

Bought PearlAcoustics Sibelius speakers based on assorted reviews and being intrigued by 1-way Voight tube design, plus solid wood construction as a wood worker. Plus the most wonderful interaction with Harley Lovegrove. Love those speakers.

Bought a Rega Naia package based on Harley's shoot-out, CheshireAudio, Sales rep. Was a bit against my original thinking (heavy vs. light), and in the end went for top of the line light. 

Listening to equipment is a pipe dream. Is not happening. At shows they do not have the equipment I am interested in, dealers can't set up true comparison systems. So it is a bit of a shot in the dark.

Recommendations by sales people generally is disappointing. They will only recommend what they sell (obviously), so you will never get the full picture. I bought a PrimaLuna 300 pre, but for power went with Pass XA25. The only dealer for PL is not selling Pass, so they will never suggest the combo. Was through Harley, London shop video, and a bit of California state bias (I live in CA, where Pass is at home), that I selected it. 

Looks are a minor component. E.g. Macs are out because they are the worst combination of ostentatious and ugly. One reason I selected the Pass XA25 is because it does not have meters.

I buy used well reviewed, highly regarded, like new speakers that I can get for 40% of retail. I live in a upper middle class area and have been able to pick up  3 month old Canton 9K speakers and a 6 month old technic sug 700 integrated using my benchmark %. Since I had a good system already (Adcom/Snells) I was in no hurry to up my offer and the sellers were interested in moving onan ideal synergy.  

Flexibility to some degree.....and since I wear aids in ears, ultimate performance for myself is ’Do I like what I’m hearing?" is the final arbiter....

I run an odd collection of items I won’t bore with unless PM’d.

Part of what’s amassed is to compare/contrast different speakers with regard to what my diy’s create....that, and it’s just fun to f’round with.

My best investment? SOTA aids in my ears. ’A Mac in my head, $-wise’ beats the jock off of one on the shelf I’d have to eq and room tweak to an extreme....

Have your ears measured by a Good audiologist.....You will be surprised, or at least, made comfy.....

*kicks soapbox aside* Look, I’m off doing The Odd, and enjoying y’all wandering the periphery of what’s possible....informative mostly, entertaining to varied degrees.

If considered a ’tolerable troll’, so be it....been called worse.... ;)

Go forth and do what'cha do, J