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.
Yeah, online reviews are worthless. Pick any piece of gear that exists. I guarantee that you can find a glowing review for it somewhere from someone. Every $300 component sounds as good as competitors $1000 components, every $1,000 component sounds as good as competing $2,000 components and every $2,000 component sounds as good as competing $5,000 components. What is the point of the subjective reviews.
Clearly part of this is that there is a reviews industry which relies on the industry for components for review and for ad revenue. If 95% of the stuff wasn’t the best and only 5% of the stuff was praised then the business model wouldn’t work. That is why we get 95% of stuff is great and only 5% of stuff isn’t as good. Truth is that most consumers are just looking for validation on the stuff they were planning to buy anyways.