Timchen,
Don't be such a cynic. How do you trust anyone that posts here? And you probably can't audition 75% of all of the equipment that is reviewed here anyway. Some of it is way to expensive to audition, much of it is probably unavailable in your area and yes, some is available only online.
You have to learn to read between the lines. Read here, read at AA, do a Google search, etc. Gather all of the info you can find and then make a judgement call. I ordered a Supratek site unseen. I simply read all of the posts at AA, emailed some of the posters personally and then talked with Mick himself. Several of the AA Supratek owners have been around AA a long time and are very respected members.
But in the end, it still boils down to a judgement call, just like buying equipment you "can" audition. How do you know that the equipment you audition is not going to blow-up in 90 days. You don't. You just make the best decision you can and then you live with it.
And no one is trying to force you to buy a Supratek. But if you don't, it may very well be your loss!