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

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. 

Fun topic!

I'm in the early stages of building a system in a recently vacated room (empty nesting has SO many advantages!)
Going to side with andysf on this issue. Being a small business owner myself, the perfect scenario for my room would be made in the USA gear that I can buy from a locally owned hifi shop. If I have to pick one or the other, the domestic product will nearly always win. To this point I have purchased Dac (USA), two sets of IC (USA), a turntable (USA), and have a Tavish (USA) phono amp on order.

It is a very small room, and I have no doubts about achieving a very pleasing to my ears result from US/Canada sources and from my local shops. With that said, I have seen some gear, not mentioning any names, that fits my criteria but lacks the aesthetics that appeal to me.

I like the concept of home-grown audio...but often I succumb to the lower price of Asian-made audio.  But lately, I do try hard to avoid spending serious money with the PRC.  Nothing against the people, but I do not wish to support their oppressive, one-party system.