Maybe I should have used the word 'considering' over 'looking'. But I'm pretty sure you got my gist. Either way, I am going to be buying a used component.
The main thing I'm try to achieve is lower the noise floor of amps, preamps, etc. If I turn my amp way up (past 11 o'clock), especially with my low output MC cartridge on my turntable, I can hear a slight buzz.
Unfortunately, it's going to be near impossible for me to test out these before buying since I'm going to buy something second hand most likely. I do take your point that testing something in my system is the only way to determine if it's going to meet my goal.
The main thing I'm try to achieve is lower the noise floor of amps, preamps, etc. If I turn my amp way up (past 11 o'clock), especially with my low output MC cartridge on my turntable, I can hear a slight buzz.
Unfortunately, it's going to be near impossible for me to test out these before buying since I'm going to buy something second hand most likely. I do take your point that testing something in my system is the only way to determine if it's going to meet my goal.