Very important...that's why I bought a Technics 1200 TT vs one of those 'entry level high end' belt drives. Reliability is a major factor in my purchases. I hate stuff breaking on me.
Reliability
Is reliability a factor when you buy equipment? The satisfaction factor of a piece of equipment which is rated "A" or whatever else may signify the cat's whiskers falls to zero when it has to be packed up and sent across town or, more than likely and worse yet, across the country for service. Is reliability just for Consumer Reports type people? Moreover, with all the dubious information about on the performance and sound of equipment, how can one know if negative comments on a piece of equipment are serious. When equipment looks like it's built like a tank, can we conclude it's actually dependable short term and for the long haul?