??? Established Manufacturer or Take A Chance ???

Preferably, go with an established manufacturer.  After forty-seven years in electromechanical medical device regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and quality engineering, I cannot stress the importance the maturation of the design control and continual manufacturing control improvement process brings to achieving design intent and reliability.  Established manufacturers have spent substantial dollars and time developing products that are able to convey the emotion of the recorded composition and performance within their design intent (house sound) through the design control and continuous improvement processes.  Some of my favorites that express nuance in an highly musical manner but all sound distinctly different from each other include Audionet (above my means), Burmester, Audio Research, Grimm, Boulder, Etc.  If you go with a start-up company, due diligence to assure the company personnel have experience in manufacturing, as well as the design of audiophile products.  As an example, I purchased Mola Mola based on the reputation and work experience of Bruno Putzeys.  Finally, sorry to say there are no absolutes.  I purchased a Linn Unidisc 1.1 and when the custom  laser burnt out eight years later, they no longer supported the product.  At that price point, inexcusable.   But that experience is not in the norm.  Good luck.  Stay with an established manufacturer or otherwise use due diligence.  

@freediver 

The key is you want something that can be easliy serviced, either by warranty, or pay a  normal service provider.  So, if it is a mechanical moving component, like CD player, turntable, etc..., you want to make sure parts are available in the future.   If it is an amp or preamp, then Class AB or A can easily be serviced by paid service provider.  One thing to keep in mind - generally, it is easier to service single component gear rather than integrated gear.  For example, some old 1970s japanese receivers are so cramped that it is very costly to service them while old monoblock McIntosh amps can be easily serviced.  In addition, some of the new small class D amps may have specific tech parts that will not be replaceable if the small company is not around anyore.  

I think that one has to consider resale value in the equation.  Personal tastes  change and evolve.  Is there ever an endgame system??? 

If a brand has some years behind it that is a good thing.  The brand may not be known to you, but a track record over time is very beneficial.    

There are exceptions to the rule, such as when a long-term manufacturer is sold to a new corporation and they implement lots of new procedures, etc. That can be just a problematic and a brand-new company without much of a track record. 

Having some years to iron out simple unexpected problems is worth a lot considering the nature of audio electronics. 

What’s with the ?????    ?????? On all of your posts ????? ?????