What do "audiophiles" use to judge equipment?

What was the question again?

Do I trust any one else on the planet? For anything? NO NOT ONE!!

Spec sheet, pictures inside and out.. MAYBE.

If I like the BS they are trying to hand me.. (Usually it's BS, too), I'll listen.. But years ago I settled on what I like and use, very little has changed other than the wrinkle are a little deeper on my end..

5 or six years to try class ds, then 5 more years, that was 6 years ago.
They are pretty good now.. ;-)

Pass designs, Sony ES series SACDs, Mac tube front end, Cary and Mac valve amps (gave up on VTLs), certain class Ds in certain places, Small planars and ribbons, GRs servo bass system (6 years now) and of course direct coupled MB columns..

I'm looking at a STL BIG valve EQ balanced in balanced out. I can add additional TUBE boost (2, 4, or 8 ?) above the +6db -6db in a given region. Great for a step in an OB design..

If know how they are made that's the ONLY reason I consider buying  them. No SEE, NO BUY...

I'll never support potted passive XO either.. If I can't see the OX I'm not buying it.. TRUST NO ONE... :-) X-Files..

Regards

I use my ears ONLY not reviews or Audiogon been doing this before you were born.Good luck!!

I may often buy "sound unseen". But it is purely the long term evaluation that I use to judge a products sound. Often mixing it with other equipment and setups to give it the best opportunity to shine. The only thing that keeps it in the lineup is it's sound quality. 

Question posed by OP:

Are there any others who trust their own ears and go into a music store and BUY something without the psychological hand-holding of a forum or spec sheet?

Response by MC:

You are very confused.

Search through my posts. Highly recommended, highly educational.

OP's question dismissed out hand.  How dare you inquire whether you can just use your own ears and emotional response to the gear you're auditioning!  You're confused and the only antidote is to search MC's posts to give you the exact hand-holding that you'd deliberately like to avoid.  No one can do this properly just using his own ears....please go read everything ever written by MC and avoid such a costly mistake as trusting yourself.