There is only one question that is important when it comes to buying electronic equipment: how much have you got to spend?

Walk into any electronics store, wake up one of the salesmen, tell him you want to buy, let’s say, an amplifier. His first question, if he feels like helping you at all, will be centered around just how much money you’ve either got in your pocket or are prepared to write a check for or charge. Once you’ve answered that question, he’ll show you the equipment available in your price range, starting with the units he gets the biggest mark-up on.