Budget Chinese Tube amps - any good?

I was about to post my rant and realized that Gopher's post exactly mirrors my opinion.
And guess what? Those who went to the CA Audio Show this past weekend...the room with TRI triode electronics driving Acoustic Zen speakers hosted by Robert Lee. The TRI amps are made in China, and in my opinion that setup is one of the best if not the absolute best of the show.
Cayin and Melody are not "Ming Da cheap and thus filled with counterfeit components like *Rudycon* caps", but they are a lot better in terms of build quality and circuit considerations for safety and reliability.

Agree with Kentaja's comments about track record. Plus, the Chinese stuff is made with slave labor, and the mark-up must be enormous.

If a well made Chinese based amp isn't expensive, you can assume the markup isn't enormous. Besides...our great country was built on slave labor so there's a tradition there (joking, but still a truth albeit a sad one). Apparently, unlike MAC and others, Michael Allen (Jolida) started a new factory a while back with much higher wages and far better working conditions than nearly any other Chinese factory, all to insure production of a higher quality product at a reasonable price.

I have an Audiovega valve tube amp (China) driving the highly-rated Wharfedale 9.1 bookshelf speakers on stands via Supra speaker cables. 4years of usage and 100% no problems.

Warm and beguiling mids and highs. Highly involving, with a spacious soundstage and superb imaging.

The only glaring dawback is the bass. In my small room, im surprised by the amount of low-bass, and very satisfied as I dont play at ear splitting levels. BUT...the bass lacks slam and impact, ,making it less suitable for feet stomping materials.

Chiming in on this well-worn thread: I don't see any reason to buy Chinese made products and support their trade policies and our trade imbalance with them. This is not mainly a question of quality (although there is that concern, in my mind), but rather one of fairness. Quality tube gear lasts almost forever, if taken taken care of properly. I would simply rather buy a used amp from a U.S. manufacturer. My personal choice. For someone who prefers their toys new and unsullied by other hands, than I guess that the PRC-made gear is a way to go; just not for me.

Quality issues aside (and I do think that there is some well-made gear being manufactured in China), I do think that the other issues raised by some of the gents posting above are valid. Particularly resale value, service and support, and consistant parts availability over the long haul.