have you ever bought stereo without listening first

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  

It's almost impossible to audition a phono cartridge in a meaningful way before you pay for it, in my experience. All the other components I have 'bought' without hearing first have had a reasonable return policy. Luckily, few have had to be returned because, like many others have said, I research the hell out of stuff.

PS. I have been to Audio Connections many times and I respect their experience and opinions. Don't worry @Iobinero, if your not delighted; John will make it right.