Never buy because a reviewer told you to

Never buy because a reviewer told you to. Never buy because the price suggests quality. Buy because you heard the difference in your own system, with your own ears.

That goes for every controversial upgrade, the cables, the power, the DACs, and only after the fundamentals. Room treatment first, speaker positioning, good source material. Once those are sorted and you are still chasing something, then start experimenting.

Always with the ability to return it. Audition at home, and if you did not hear it, send it back, or after the audition do not buy it at all. No ego, no sunk cost, just honesty. I have bought things I later realised made no audible difference, so this rule is written for me first.

This is also why I am careful with any best list, including my own. A best list should not reflect who sent someone a free review sample or who has the biggest marketing budget. Everything here is bought with my own money, and I still admit I cannot always trust my own ears.

A reviewer can tell you what to listen for. Only your own room can tell you whether to pay for it.