Name brands that are not so well known are skipped

Hopefully most businesses will have a web site with an 'about us' page in order to help people learn about their background. A good deal of the time people starting new businesses in audio electronics will have some prior work experience in the electronics field and their work will be first rate. Typically an email or call will answer most questions if their site doesn't or if they're a hobbyist. Allot of what I said may seem obvious, but the skipped pages says otherwise. Assumptions can lead to undiscovered great products.

I hear what you are saying, but great, new products are discovered in many ways, by other means. If you have a story to tell, a classified listing is proabbly not the first approach I would rely on for being discovered - sponsored ads on the site, maybe. Classifieds can be a part of your "mix", but don't count on it to get the "word" out.

Just a thought on lesser known brands.

People shy away from some because of support or parts issues.
This is a valid concern. But, think about what CAN fail.
Are there any proprietary parts / technologies? For VacTube folks, you can source a tube from many places. All the electronic parts, likewise. Caps? Resistors?.....all common.
I suppose you could have trouble finding a transformer, PS or Output, but they are fairly reliable when run within design limits. Not much will help a lightning strike!
SS STuff is similar...many parts being chosen from say...DigiKey or other catalogue.
The problem will be proprietary semiconductors but even than there are cross reference books.
The hangup is that parts AIN'T parts and that changing some may change the sound of the equipment and not always for the better. Even Macintosh can't guarantee THAT even though they are the Gold Standard for long-term support.

At some point, you just gotta believe. And for those who do buy from 'lesser known' makers, try to get the schematic, too.

Actually, I don't believe small businesses deal with proprietary parts as much as big businesses. If specialized components and complex circuits are a concern, it's best to stay away from large companies. Something else: I would have to believe a small business would provide more of a 1 on 1 relationship with their customers and as a result, provide better service.

Publ57 mentioned other ways of becoming better known. I 100% agree. Listings and auctions are a good way to test the waters but do not provide all the necessary exposure outlets.

Does Stereophile still adhere to the dealer network policy for reviewing products? One advantage of the "new" online magazines is that they give a much broader class of manufacturers an outlet for professional quality reviews. I do think a lot of excellent products fail to "qualify" for SP based on an established dealer network; I'm not sure that policy, if still in effect, reflects the changing distribution model for high-end gear.