"Makes me wonder " why experienced audiophiles like you still read that nonsense /marketing.
Audiophiles would be far better of if they went to munchen to visit the 2 shows each year and trusted their own ears .
Wonder no more.
Never dismiss a potential source of information is why you would ask such a question. Try to gather as much information as possible, and somewhere down the line, it may help when you need to purchase something. If not, you at least have learned something.
Shows; I've been going to Munich since 2010. Have heard some great rooms and learned a lot, but that's a start. Have heard some of that equipment that sounded great in Munich sound not so great in my system, some great confirming what I heard too. Have attended other Shows around the world since the early 90s and the same applies.
Magazines/Websites; Also, subscribe/read many of the available mags/sites out there, learn who shares your tastes and likes and proceed accordingly.
Use local sources; Also lucky enough to live in NYC for the past 30 years and have absorbed much from people a lot wiser than me and have attended countless events at dealers etc that helped educate me.
Internet; If you don't have local sources use forums like WBF and others to develop relationships. You'd be surprised how much information you can find and what you will learn. Also, many people in the industry respond to questions about gear, music etc. I know I've asked.
Be open; I converted to SET and horns as my ideal source after a few magical experiences. Right now though I have a 200W Ayre amplifier running my system and I am enjoying the heck out of it.
Enough for now.
amps breaking in this thread. I have SET monoblocks for the last 20 years. They've probably been on for 15 of those 20. Only downtime has been to repair a noisy cap, noisy switch and to change out tubes for a different sound (tubes not worn out).