Does mfg's name/model affect your opinion of sound

Absolutely not. I constantly find lower priced stuff that I prefer (thank goodness). Even in the same manufacturers line. Older Classe preamp is a good example. I greatly prefered the DR4($1600.) to the big fancy dual chassis DR6($3500. or more I think). Sometimes I may let a builders circuit or design theory cloud my judgement if it jives with my own ideas. But that's just to decide what to consider for my system. Once listening starts, it is only the sound that matters. Even products that I expect to be great by their reputation can dissapoint, so I like to think I can be pretty unbiased while auditioning. It never hurts to like the lower priced component, puts a smile on my face. I will though place some weight on a manufacturers background and track record of service, etc. Unlikely to consider something from a far away land that doesn't have long term continuous support by a US based importer. So, brands DO matter to me, just not for the hype/bling reasons you mention.

Isn't the whole idea of having a "brand" to affect people's opinion?

I have to think that any concept so universally applied must be fairly effective overall.

Of course, we are all smarter than to fall for all that brand malarky, right?

Back when I was too young to buy anything but was developing opinions, I always thought the Marantz components sounded better than the corresponding McIntosh products. Was I influenced by the faceplates? Possibly. But I was also influenced by the sound. In my "middle years', when I started to earn money but was still a technical moron, I am quite sure I was heavily influenced by chassis design and what I read in the audio press. Now that I have become a fairly experienced DIYer, I have no "respect" for any product based only on appearance or the word of a reviewer, most of whom know much less than I do about circuit design. I have come to find out that much of what we call "high end", meaning very expensive, gear is flawed, and I take some pleasure in knowing that I can do better, or at least as well, by modifying a less expensive and/or vintage piece, using information that's now available on the internet or the advice of one or another guru. It's a very liberating state of mind.

Of course it does. A manufacturer's name means something. To the knowledgeable audiophile the brand name carries a whole history filled with meaning. Whether or not that history and meaning is accurate is another question, but it clearly exists.

I think the influence of model number is even more important. Audiophiles are willing to spend $1,000s just because it says "Mk II", "Reference" or "Signature". Audiophiles are willing to spend $10,000s if it says "Anniversary".

In a few seconds I will hit the enter key and the above will become facts because you read them on the internet.