Well, you must go through a process that brings you to a conclusion you are comfortable with. I look at it as a funnel. You want to close in on the right component starting with the whole field, constantly narrowing down on better and a better choice.
Often I will start with a survey of professional reviews... that would be Stereophile, The Absolute Sound, and HIfi+. The others are more consumer oriented and are of no use. Start with the product survey issues. Before one of these magazines will cover components they attend audio conventions and choose to review components that sound good. Professional reviewers, while not perfect will use standard high end audio terminology, publish the rest of their systems and experience. This has already narrowed your search down. Then it is best to audition lots of components that have been reviewed. Compare your impressions with their observations. Over time, you will start hearing house sounds.... most established companies have them. Like Burmeister ... sound spectacular, Luxman... they sound like they look trebly - detailed and analytical, ARC and CJ are warm, musical and natural,
If you google: Playback designs stereophile review... you get a very mixed review of some of their products. Not something I want to hear. I would not spend time considering it. Google "Aurender streamer, The Absolute Sound reviews. You will get several... same with Stereophile.
But, you have to do what you have to do. There is no right way for everyone.
