I’ve learned that I have to hold something in my hand, set it up and use it, live with it for a little while, before I know if I’ll like it. Some of that is build quality and control feel, some is sound, some is ineffable.
I know this is easier for some than others, but I would try. Get used gear and resell it when you’re done. It’s really worth it. It’s the only way to really grow in this hobby.
Reviews are bullshit mostly. The manufacturers, hifi dealers, and review rags are cozy with each other.
Specs are real. For amps and preamps, the distortion and noise spec is your best predictor of whether it’s gonna sound clean or have “character.” Another spec that matters is stability margins which no manufacturer publishes, sadly.
Likewise the efficiency and frequency response spec on a speaker tells a lot of the story. Directivity also matters but I don’t think we have standardized metrics for it.