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What country builds the best audio equipment?

I remember not so long ago when audio equipment was mainly a home grown product with the exception of Japan here in the U.S. Today it’s a global market with competition from every corner of the world. I use to think here in the U.S was were the best equipment was being built, but now I’m not sure.
Built quality and performance seems to be lacking a little here in the states with few exceptions compared to what’s being produced over seas and up to the north. So what country is the best equipment coming from? Maybe it’s still the U.S, but if pure aesthetics says anything I would say not.
As for Sonics tough to call, maybe still here in the U.S? 
hiendmmoe
mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
951 posts
 
Someone on this thread mentioned Accuphase.  I had a serious stack of that product and totally regret that I sold it to my nephew about 25 years ago.  I replaced it with Adcom.  Good stuff, but not like my Accuphase.  Anyway, there is a lot of great product from so many countries.  It's all about being satisfied with your gear.  I now have Balanced Audio Technology (USA); outstanding build quality and sound quality.  Manley Chinook phono stage; built in Southern California.  What imaging that unit produces.  VPI turntable; also built in USA.  Lyra phono cartridge; designed in USA and built in Japan; the best sounding cartridge I have ever owned.  Upper end Audioquest for signal cables, AC cables, and AC line conditioner; USA product, also designed and built right here in Southern California.  I guess I have a lot of USA product after all.  That's a good thing, but not necessary.  Again, great product comes from many parts of the world.  Everyone, enjoy your gear.  After all, that's why we love it so dearly.
dinov's avatar
dinov
846 posts
 
The good old USA. McIntosh, VPI, analysis plus, Wilson, krell, Conrad Johnson, etc etc etc!
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,747 posts
 
Here ya go!
https://americanmadeaudio.com/the-list/
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,608 posts
 
^^^Thanks for sharing the link...very cool site. You can pick a gear category and it will list all the manufacturers.
larryi
4,097 posts
 
Is this akin to a total medal count at the Olympics?  While there may be an overall medal winner, if one's interest is particularized (like being interested in gymnastics, but not swimming), the answer might be quite different.  In music systems, I like high efficiency speakers that sound good at low volume and amplification that matches such speakers (low-powered tube gear).  In any event, I won't try to pick one winner.  My own gear comes from a fairly wide span of countries:

Turntable/tonearm/motor controller: Basis Audio (USA)
Cartridge: Transfiguration and Lyra (Japan)
Phonostage: Viva (Italy)
Music Server/ripper: Naim (UK)
Linestage: custom-built in Italy using vintage USA parts
Amplifier: custom-built in Italy using vintage USA parts
Speakers:  Strumenti Acustici Precisione (Italy), with Western Electric compression midrange driver and horn (USA)
Cabling: XLO (USA), Basis (USA) Audio Note (UK)
Power conditioners: Isotek (UK)
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