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

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. 

She's sitting right next to me.

There are lots of great sounding components, and lots of different price points. Obviously, sound is important but all things being equal, I'm likely to buy the one whose looks appeal to me. I'll also consider the brand reputation, build quality and size constraints. If it's used, I'll consider the condition and perceived value relative to its age and original MSRP.

I don't know if anyone here watches Andrew Robinson's "Recovering Audiophile" videos or not, but I kind of feel like he does when he states that it's hard to find a/v gear today that isn't quite good (I paraphrase).  Yes, there remain potential issues of compatibility, but even those are pretty easy to navigate with just a little education, which leaves non-audio factors to assume more importance in the decision making process. 

But...I may be on irrational extreme of that viewpoint, in that such relative minutia as the color of the LED's or the color and style of the footers on the component can take on way too much importance.  But I do tend to believe that other than with transducers, there is not much significant audible difference in the sound of properly functioning audio gear when it is used properly and within it's linear limitations.  But then, I traded my tin-foil hat for a pair of tin ears long ago.

Hello,
I agree with the LED color because most cannot be dimmed or shut off. I get the red led color for lights off listening. I have blue led on my gear. Very bright, almost too bright. Sound comes first.