I think the "clones" that China produces are a theft of intellectual property at best, and are crap in a nice looking case at worst.
China has proven they are capable of producing good equipment AND good brands. Line Magnetic is a perfect example of a Chinese owned brand that was developed in China that people love.
This kind of stuff is what makes people angry and harms all Chinese manufacturing IMO.
Right. That is the first level of concern.
Did they develop the technology? Did they license it? Or did they steal it? How do you feel about buying stolen goods?
There is another greater level of concern.
Learn a little more, China is actually the PRC- People's Republic of China. Which is by definition the CCP- Chinese Communist Party. Every business is required to have CCP members on their board. So every business even if operating legally by Western norms- ie not outright stealing and copying but actually developing on their own- even then they are still CCP. Fact of the matter is anything bought from China is supporting in one way or another the CCP.
This may be less well known but look it up, its a fact. And this is much more serious a problem than piracy.
Finally, the icing on the cake, my actual personal experience with made in China. Jungson amp defective, right away, and they not only refused to honor the warranty they lied to my face about it. Worst treatment of anything ever bought in my life.
So no, Chinese pre amps do not interest me. Cloned or otherwise.