Do you trust published gear reviews?

Blind trust, no. Not all reviewers are cut from the same cloth.

Component sonic comparisons give me an idea of value. Multiple voices singing the same song - chances are that I’ll have the same result- nothing is guaranteed. A reviewer surprised I take notice, as well as the word “bargain”.

I used to think that individual YouTube reviewers were trustworthy until I purchased a particular streamer/DAC and an R2R DAC that he highly recommended as outstanding gear. Both were available on Amazon, so I purchased them and auditioned them after giving each at least 150 hours of break-in time. Unfortunately, both turned out to be mediocre and disappointing.

I do not necessarily blame him because (1) music appreciation is subjective, and (2) both products were returnable. However, after recognizing that other reviewers also had negative comments about these products, I felt that this might not simply be a matter of subjective preference. I began to strongly suspect that there might be issues with the way this particular reviewer conducts reviews and/or draws conclusions, which could potentially be misleading.

Therefore, I have decided to stop watching his reviews.

For me, they can be trusted as a means to see the product's aesthetic, as a photo taken to add allure to the marketed item.

Additionally, there can be other supplied info, worthwhile noting, i.e, the interfaces, references to more expensive than usually seen components selected for the circuit and measurements for the function of the circuit's design.

For many a potential customer, this exposure to the product is enough, and a shortlist item is added.

Having a demo' for me really matters; end sound evaluation and the impression made are where the audio interest lies, and long-term relationships with audio equipment are created. 

I have no recollection of rejecting an audio device for the aesthetic, possibly a deselection due to the interface, never for circuitry, topology or the Math for the design; without this in place their is no functioning of the device. Plenty, and I really mean plenty, are rejected as a result of the impression the end sound is able to create.

Few are kept and maintained as a result of the impression of the end sound produced when used within the owned system.

Ad's or Reviews don't do end sound for an assessment.     

I trust my ears.  Beyond that, I assume all else is a lie until I hear it.

Thread Subject with content of the type does matter, as there are numerous individuals making decisions to purchase, without acquiring and info other than written or uttered description that is broadcast about an evaluation of a product. 

In the modern World, where broadcasting an illusary truth is easily established. A known reviewer adding their write up or video blog for a product does add an increased sense of security towards the product.

Again, either of the reporting methods used to not enable a sat in front of, end sound evaluation to occur.

Being an individual who has been at demon’s of a same device used in different systems with a selection of umbilicals in use. I can confirm a Audio device is not ubiquitous at generating a attractive synergy equally across the systems I was sat in front of. 

There has been in a system, a synergy that is making a very good impression and one that is way beyond another created in a system used. 

The individual can only refer to such an impression being made/not being made as a result of direct experience of the end sound being produced.