Why did you purchase the equipment you have and what do you like most about it?

Research by reading trade publications to determine equipment within my means that have SQ attributes I cherish.  For electrical components, going out of my way to audition that equipment in as a controlled manner as I can, either bringing my current equipment to the dealer and going head to head in their system, or getting a demo unit installed in my system. Of course, this process was not used for speakers do to shipping costs.  Choosing equipment that meets my idea of timbral accuracy, dynamic/emotional expression, and natural staging/imaging in that order.  I only use dealer input for information on compatibility.  

I have two systems that I love. My upstairs system is BAT VK-33SE tube preamp, BAT VK-75SE tube power amp with Shunyata power conditioners, speaker cables and power cables, Focal 1037 Be speakers with Beryllium tweeters and associated subwoofer, Oppo BDP-105D disc player and Steve Blinn stereo rack and amp stand.  My downstair system is BAT VK-31SE tube preamp, BAT-VK 600SE solid state power amp, Ayre CD-5xeMP CD player, BSG Technologies Signal Completion Stage, Legacy Focus SE speakers, Shunyata power conditioners and power cables, Kimber Kable speaker cables, Kimber cable interconnects, Steve Blinn stereo rack and amp stand, VPI Classic turntable. I arrived at these systems over 50 years of listening and upgrading. I am very happy with the sound of both systems. I highly recommend BAT and Legacy to anyone looking to upgrade their systems. Check them out if you are looking to upgrade.  Victor Khomenko at BAT and Bill Duddleston at Legacy are both amazing designers and are willing to discuss their equipment and ideas with you.   

Decided to move on from my 7.2 home theatre in my listening and TV room to a 2.2 music system about 3 years ago.  Visited dealers, online sites and YouTube channels to listen and research.  Upgraded one piece at a time.  Ended up with all separate components.  Now streaming mostly with occasional CD playing.  Bought new and used local and online.  Important that I could buy, listen in my room with my system and return if necessary.  The equipment Has to sound good and look cool.  Even started selling some of my gear along with giving some to family and friends as I upgraded.  Love the sound and look of my current system.  Know I will keep upgrading and tinkering over time.  It’s a great hobby.  Loving my musical journey.  

@inna totally agree! Aesthetics are a big second factor only to sound. Speakers should look like speakers and not robots or spaceships. Sometimes I find myself just sitting and admiring my rig even when nothing is playing😬. So I won’t even audition equipment if it doesn’t pass the eye test. 
 

I have bought most of my gear just based on reviews/advice from folks here and online. It has rarely led to any buyers remorse as I have been mostly pleased with every purchase. I did audition my current speakers (Revel Be) before pulling the trigger. I was out of the hobby for 15+ years (divorce forced me to sell my rig), and just within the last 5 years was in a position to assemble an all new system from scratch. I just went straight back to Dynaudio (their Audience line was to date my holy grail of speakers) without even auditioning, Excite then Evoke. Much to my surprise Excite had a more forward sound than I remembered and then went to Evoke. Although I found Evoke to be warmer and closer to what I remember from Audience, it still wasn’t the same. That led me to start auditioning speakers again, which ultimately led me to Revel. 
 

The rest of my rig (DAC, Processor, Amp) have all been purchased without auditioning and I am happy as a clam-thanks to many here!

Came across a good deal on hifishark I couldn't pass up. Used Audience front row phono cable. Easily the most transformative cable I ever experienced.