I gave up on mags and online reports and started to listen for my self.
By far the best way to go.
I got super lucky very early on when I became friends with the best dealer I ever met. Thanks to this I was able to audition a huge range of gear the best way possible, at home in my own system. Plus then a ton more at his place. Then because you can never be too careful I also went around to all the stereo shops up and down the I5 corridor from Portland to north of Seattle.
Unfortunately even with all of that it still only covers a fraction of what's out there. Hardly any of us has the time or connections to do it even if we wanted. And even then a lot of the really good stuff is so niche market its hard to even find out about it, let alone experience first hand, and so one way or another reviews are almost a must-have.
So you always have to read between the lines. Always pay attention to any words of criticism however faint they may be.
Bingo.