have you ever bought stereo without listening first

I bought every piece of my system without hearing any of it beforehand. Just did research and considered the opinions of my various audio "gurus." I try to get complementary components so that the entire system sounds good. That's the goal, right? The only way to truly hear a component is to listen to it IN YOUR SYSTEM before buying it. That almost never happens, so it's always a crapshoot, but it seems to work out. I've never had anything that sounded bad. Most surprise on the upside. My biggest risk was swapping my McIntosh C2200 preamp and Pass X150.8 power amp for an Esoteric F-05 integrated amp. As expected, there was not a loss in clarity or balance in the sound; just provided the simplicity and smaller footprint I wanted.

I buy site unseen/unheard all the time! How can you not nowadays, as there are so few audio stores left. I still remember the Great "Tech HiFi stores" that I frequented in my youth!  Nowadays, I dont feel like driving 100 miles when I can just place an order online. Plus if i do not like something i can return it if it does not work out. Fortunately, most of the time it does work out after careful research and component matching etc. Generally, I have found reviews of equipment helpful in narrowing down what may work. 

In the early 1970's I bought Fisher three way 12" woofers speakers without listening.  Next, I bought a Phase Linear 400, with easily expeceed results and electrical smells.  Next were Advents, but I listened.  Then two more Advents.  Whee!  It lasted through college, with B&W's and Audire (and some panels, Maggies and Acoustat, intermingled) since.  

Yes.   But I tend to read reviews and look for consensus opinion.  IE- if one reviewer considers a piece to be the best ever, while other reviewers say it is just -ok- then maybe it is just -ok-.    Or if all reviews, across multiple platforms etc, agree that the component is wonderful, that also sends a powerful message.

I have purchased the following without prior audition:

KEF LS50
ARC SP-10mkII
AT 33ML-OCC
Lundahl and Cinemag SUT
Marantz SR7009 (then TOTL HT Receiver for our Den)

While an audition helps in decision making, a new component represents a variable that you will not be able to confirm until the component is in your home, in your system.   Still a leap (but smaller) faith.

I prefer home demo.  Only time I did not was when I upgraded from Pass Labs Xa30.5 to XA 100.8.  Yet I was anxious until after burn in period .  I made the right decision.   If you have experience with another amp from the same brand in your current system then  upgrade should be safe