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HOW MUCH DO NON-AUDIO FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR AUDIO PURCHASES?

I think most audiophiles would like to think it's all about the sound, but for me there's often many factors not related specifically to sound quality, that play a big part when deciding what audio component to buy.  Perceived build quality, brand name reputation, specs, even things mostly related to appearance can have a big influence.  I have for years, pursued matched, one-brand systems and seemingly can not be truly content with my two-channel rig otherwise, regardless of the performance or build quality of specific components.  I sometimes think the whole process is, for me, more an exercise in obsessive behavior than a rational pursuit of a logical outcome.  So how about you?   Any tales of audiophilia nervosa  you'd be willing to share? 
jdmccall56
hickamore
659 posts
 
Everyone has a given budget. Everyone has a given listening space. Nearly everyone has other uses, and other users, of the same space to be considered. And we all have different aesthetics. For instance, I won't display a black component unless it's the last stereo tuner on the planet and unavailable in silver or otherwise visible finish. So the actual answer to the actual OP is DUH. "How much do non-audio factors influence our audio purchases?" Hugely. You might live in an auditorium, you might live in a bungalow. You might be a billionaire and also an audiophile. Or you might be like most of us and making the best compromises possible given the inevitable limitations of our specific situations, with the quest for The Absolute Sound remaining a forever unrealizable ideal.
wfowenmd
80 posts
 
Price
Wife
Aesthetics
Sound, as per 
jpwarren58202, let the choir say Amen. BTW, price acceptability = WAF and vice versa.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Sound quality is so important to me that I have a procurement specialist select the next piece, have it shipped, prepared in the room behind a screen for a blind demo, and only after it passes do I see the component. 
Because the sound is the only thing that matters.  ;) 


hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
I think this is the ultimate puzzle. I know there are companies that manufacture the whole system from the wall to the speaker. Two problems occur. It’s out of most people’s price range or there is a weak link. My preamp and DAC are Emotiva, but I do not like
hshifi
572 posts
 
The sound signature of the amps. There is usually a weak link even at the higher end companies. I do not care about the looks as much as the sound. I have black and silver components. I too love the sound of my system. If I find a product that sounds better I try to squire it. If it makes it the same or worse it goes back to the store. I have had $16,000 integrated amps in my house that do not sound as good as my amp and preamp. 
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