How did you choose your equipment?

Jafant, Agree! Get out to brick & mortar dealers. Listen, Learn. Internet is spec and someone else's ears. Support your dealer. Traveling is good 

Audition, Audition, Audition! No more said.

I read, including about the designer, and listen. Also, by looking at the piece of gear and at the photograph of the designer, I try to guess how the piece will perform. I also have a good idea of what I would like to accomplish, and I know well how live music sounds, both acoustic and electric.

I buy based in part on the manufacturer's long-term offerings and the sound the preponderance of reviewers/owners ascribe to that manufacturer's equipment.  In two notable cases, when finances permitted, I had modifications made to maximize the original piece.  Years ago when there were brick and mortar stores in our area, I would audition multiple pieces from a  particular designer to get a sense for that brand's sound.  After that it was settling in on the specific piece I could afford that would give me the sound I was looking for. I have found most good listeners do a pretty competent job describing the sound of equipment they've experienced.  There are exceptions to this of course but I have been fortunate not to have been stung.

Sometimes, knowing the individual that you are dealing with helps you to invest trust in them and what they are trying to help you achieve with your system.  One truly notable example of this is Bob Backert of RHB Dezigns who has performed a few modifications to my stock cj PV-12L.  I never worried about leaving my gear with him to upgrade.  Each time he worked on that line stage the music became cleaner and clearer, just as he professed it would. Thankfully I am listening to music through it right now.  His work brought the sound to such a level that I have no yearning to mess with it further.  He got me where I wanted to go.

Finally, sometimes you're lucky to find a dealer who is a true straight talker, with good listening skills who knows what's going on with the gear he carries and can provide either guidance or assurance about your next purchase.  One such individual on the east coast is John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona, NJ. My latest purchase was from John.  We had a few phone calls prior to the purchase where I was able to gauge him as a person and listener.  Everything he said to me about equipment and listening affirmed that he gets what we as audiophiles/music lovers are trying to accomplish.  I can only hope that I'll have occasion to make the 6 hour round trip to visit with him again.

By trusting in myself.