What is the most overlooked consideration?


What is the most overlooked consideration when buying a piece of audio gear? We all buy gear and we all have to make choices as to what component to get, what brand, etc. What is at the top of your criteria for choosing a piece and why? Synergy? reputation of brand ?hype your heard? it’s the best compliment to my system? warranty and service? I just wanted to try a cable? I only buy brands from the UK? Etc 

So you can tell what’s at the top of your list but mostly I want you to share what you think is a much overlooked consideration and why?
 

For myself I often think customer service gets overlooked as being very important.

2psyop

Where you position your speakers and good cables,but you don't need cables that cost hundreds of dollars....

Many people building a system often underappreciate the Preamplifier. Be very careful and audition in your system without compromise.

imho, people underestimate importance of clean power.  I put in a new dedicated 20amp service for my "rig".  I also spent 500 on a high end Furutech plug in the wall.  These two actions made a Huge difference in sound.  

imho, people underestimate importance of clean power. I put in a new dedicated 20amp service for my "rig". I also spent 500 on a high end Furutech plug in the wall. These two actions made a Huge difference in sound.

That's two separate actions. The 20A home run to the panel may very well have made a difference for the better, depending on the state of your home wiring and the specifics of your system.

@mlapenta  Correct.  That Furutech combo is nuts.  I've not engaged in the dedicated 20A line, but do not doubt.  I've approached that part with a Puritan 156 conditioner, but you make a salient point attacking the source first.

Cumulative is the point here.  Improvement in all things has a cumulative affect in outcome.