When I was working, I traveled a lot for my job. In the late afternoons and evenings, I would visit brick-and-mortar stores to listen to a wide variety of CD players, amps, and speaker combinations. And I read reviews. In the early 90's, I bought a pair of Thiel CS2.2 speakers (used) from a brick-and-mortar store. I loved them, and enjoyed them for decades. I bought other models from the Thiel line (CS1.5, PowerPlane) without audition, and enjoyed them as well. So, when a used pair of Thiel CS7.2 become available, I bought them without an audition. It's probably the speaker that my heirs will have to figure how to freight out to the next owner. Later on, I also bought a pair of Thiel SCS3 speakers without audition. Once you are happy / accustomed with the sound of a particular designer, it seems to be pretty low risk to upgrade within their line. Over the years, I also upgraded the quality of my amplification without auditions. (Forte, Krell, Classe, Clayton, PS Audio, Boulder, to currently, D'Agostino). I have found that quality components can be readily re-sold without much trouble. I now live near Denver, so TMR has been helpful in my journey, And financially, the cost of trading in a piece of kit for another amounted to pennies-per-day for the time that I "auditioned" the item.
And yes, I still upgrade digital sources on occasion, without auditions. But, when I can audition (like PS Audio, Boulder, locally in Boulder), I take advantage of that.
Enjoy your journey,
