How do you pick your gear? Tips and insights are welcome.

Flexibility to some degree.....and since I wear aids in ears, ultimate performance for myself is ’Do I like what I’m hearing?" is the final arbiter....

I run an odd collection of items I won’t bore with unless PM’d.

Part of what’s amassed is to compare/contrast different speakers with regard to what my diy’s create....that, and it’s just fun to f’round with.

My best investment? SOTA aids in my ears. ’A Mac in my head, $-wise’ beats the jock off of one on the shelf I’d have to eq and room tweak to an extreme....

Have your ears measured by a Good audiologist.....You will be surprised, or at least, made comfy.....

*kicks soapbox aside* Look, I’m off doing The Odd, and enjoying y’all wandering the periphery of what’s possible....informative mostly, entertaining to varied degrees.

If considered a ’tolerable troll’, so be it....been called worse.... ;)

Go forth and do what'cha do, J

Read not only the reviews from thrustworthy reviewers but also users' feedback.  A lot of them.  Do home audition if the manufacturers offer.

Usually I purchase what I know, what has some familiarity. Had a Marantz HT receiver for 10 years. When that stopped working, got another Marantz to replace it, but went a couple models higher. 

Same generally goes for my 2ch, got something cheap that looked cool, had good reviews. If I like it, might try to upgrade to a higher model or line. My first TT as a adult was a Pro-Ject, so after 6mo, upgraded to a far better Pro-Ject, have been very happy with it. 

Usually that method gets me what I'm looking for with low risk. Since I generally want the top of any line, usually get stuff used. 

I try to read as many head to head comparisons I can and cross reference them.

I read the professional reviews also but only if they compare against a reference component.

Mostly try to read as many user reports I can find.

I watch Jay’s audio Channel on YouTube. Is most knowledgeable about high-end gear. The gear is really pretty and very very expensive. Eastern

Truth is get to know a dealer really well and speak to other dealers about products and learn learn learn. They tend to know a lot and many are willing to talk to you. Always stretch to a higher level along the food chain and avoid the costly process of upgrading which you no doubt will if you start too low on the food chain.

Also pick a topic and search it here on the forum and many responses are really helpful as there are some exceptionally bright people who frequent this forum. I'm struck by how some of these individuals know a lot of shit.