HOW MUCH DO NON-AUDIO FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR AUDIO PURCHASES?

In my "audiophile journey" (puke emoji), I've assembled essentially one-brand systems comprised of products from (in roughly chronological order): Realistic, Pioneer, Luxman, Sony ES, Pioneer Elite, Onkyo, NAD and currently, Denon.  I'm not saying I seriously believe I have a problem and need professional help, but maybe I do.  In either case, it's been a lot of fun, and no body was harmed in the process, as far as I know.

I like the concept of home-grown audio...but often I succumb to the lower price of Asian-made audio.  But lately, I do try hard to avoid spending serious money with the PRC.  Nothing against the people, but I do not wish to support their oppressive, one-party system.

I don't know if anyone here watches Andrew Robinson's "Recovering Audiophile" videos or not, but I kind of feel like he does when he states that it's hard to find a/v gear today that isn't quite good (I paraphrase).  Yes, there remain potential issues of compatibility, but even those are pretty easy to navigate with just a little education, which leaves non-audio factors to assume more importance in the decision making process. 

But...I may be on irrational extreme of that viewpoint, in that such relative minutia as the color of the LED's or the color and style of the footers on the component can take on way too much importance.  But I do tend to believe that other than with transducers, there is not much significant audible difference in the sound of properly functioning audio gear when it is used properly and within it's linear limitations.  But then, I traded my tin-foil hat for a pair of tin ears long ago.

I like black and I like silver.  I would love it if everything was available in either one.  As for meters, well, I think they're cool, but I also think they can be  distracting.  I grew up in the 60's and 70's too.  Remember SAE?  Sexy and black!  But it's all good!!

I would prefer to avoid goods from the PRC, but actually doing that is very difficult if not impossible.  So I don't fret over it.  What a handful of audiophiles do probably won't make a difference, anyway.  Plus, the old saying about cutting one's nose off to spite their face comes to mind.  So, I think every individual has to determine for themselves the degree to which they want to pursue a boycott...if at all.  I don't make judgements yay or nay over it.

Sometimes, Chinese-made doesn't even seem less expensive.  If I'm not mistaken, Harmon builds some expensive JBL and Revel models there.  I suppose they might be even higher otherwise, though.