have you ever bought stereo without listening first

From his reputation, it sounds like if you were going to follow the recommendation of someone, John Rutan of Audio Connection is the right person.

I have purchased everything unheard. I used to rely on specs and now, as millercarbon stated, I rely on sound impressions from multiple sources, if they are available. I would love to have a pair of Tyler Acoustics Halo speakers, but there isn’t enough information out there. I will probably go with a pair that have user and professional reviews. I live in a rural area and trying to sell used equipment is a hassle.

I live an hour and a half from any place where I could listen to any systems so I basically bought everything unheard. I did know from past experience what to expect as I had owned older versions of what I bought many years ago. I found a dealer that would work with me, offer a discount and ship for free. I made one salesman a very happy guy I know. My quest was to listen to a cd collection of 500 I had kept stored away but had little time to listen to them. After retiring I decided to go crazy again and I did.....! I will not go into what my system is as I do not want to get slammed here for what I should have bought. Bottom line is that I am very pleased with my system and my "perfect" speakers.

I was able to listen to my first pair of good speakers before I bought them. Almost everything else, the opposite was true. The integrated amp was the biggest leap for me, probably due in part to it being a big leap money-wise as well. No regrets.

I've been disappointed more often buying something that I heard in person.  In two cases that spring to mind, I was in a hifi store just browsing around and heard something that caught my ear and seemed like a great deal.  I didn't do any research, didn't read any reviews, just relied on what I heard with my own ears in the listening room.  It wasn't until I got home and listened for a while that a particular shortcoming or another reared its ugly head.

Most of the time I make purchases with intent.  That is to say that I'm looking for a particular piece that has certain sonic characteristics, and also has the right connectivity to work with the rest of my system.  I do a lot of research, using both professional and user reviews here and and other places, being careful to "read between the lines".  I'm almost always happy and satisfied with those purchases.  In most cases, the professional and user reviews are based on extensive listening and tend to help me avoid characteristics that are not to my liking.