This may seem simplistic but I use a familiar recording to get a quick sense of the "tone" of the component, then the imaging. If these are favorable, I listen more carefully to try to discover something I haven't heard before in the recording. That's it. If it sounds "musical", images well and is more revealing, I have to assume it's a winner.
That assumption is the problem. Unfortunately, it's only in long term listening that you truly discover whether the CIQ (component in question) is right for you. But then for those of us drawn to Audiogon, selling it is half the fun.
That assumption is the problem. Unfortunately, it's only in long term listening that you truly discover whether the CIQ (component in question) is right for you. But then for those of us drawn to Audiogon, selling it is half the fun.