Well I use a Triode TRV 845 amp. Made in China, in the Line Magnetic factory. Excellent build quality and sonics. Bias has held rock steady for several years (I measure after each listening session).
But- this amp is not a clone or a copy or a rip off of someone else's design. It is an original design, created by a Japanese company, and built in China.
OTOH- There is undeniable crap coming out of China; ripoffs, theft of design, stolen product etc. How many times have we read about a successful product that is made in China and sold by a reputable brand, then find the same product with a different "name" selling factory direct at a bargain price ? In many cases this is the same or nearly the same product, being sold out the back door by "local entrepreneurs" or made in a different factory located just down the street from the authentic production line. Western companies have learned to put their people on the ground in China to ensure that what is produced is exactly what was contracted for. Why ? Because they learned that if left unsupervised, many Chinese companies will produce what they think the client will accept rather than what the client contracted for.
Everything that happens or doesn't happen is directed by the Party. Western companies are required to "share" technology with local Chinese companies. Chinese courts do not generally recognize western concepts of property law or prior use. You would be surprised how many Western companies find that their Chinese market copyright is owned by some unknown Chinese company and they have to pay a royalty (!) to use their branding that is known the world over.
Several years ago, Apple and the Chinese Govt were negotiating over the sale of Apple products in China. China wanted the ability to access Apple networks, iphones and software at will. Apple said no. Apple executives were taken to an Apple store in downtown Bejing. It looked exactly like any Apple store world wide. All of the products were shiny, white, and perfectly packaged. All of the products, the store- everything was fake. The Govt made its point, and Apple quickly allowed access.
So no- I do not buy ChiFi fakes.
But- this amp is not a clone or a copy or a rip off of someone else's design. It is an original design, created by a Japanese company, and built in China.
OTOH- There is undeniable crap coming out of China; ripoffs, theft of design, stolen product etc. How many times have we read about a successful product that is made in China and sold by a reputable brand, then find the same product with a different "name" selling factory direct at a bargain price ? In many cases this is the same or nearly the same product, being sold out the back door by "local entrepreneurs" or made in a different factory located just down the street from the authentic production line. Western companies have learned to put their people on the ground in China to ensure that what is produced is exactly what was contracted for. Why ? Because they learned that if left unsupervised, many Chinese companies will produce what they think the client will accept rather than what the client contracted for.
Everything that happens or doesn't happen is directed by the Party. Western companies are required to "share" technology with local Chinese companies. Chinese courts do not generally recognize western concepts of property law or prior use. You would be surprised how many Western companies find that their Chinese market copyright is owned by some unknown Chinese company and they have to pay a royalty (!) to use their branding that is known the world over.
Several years ago, Apple and the Chinese Govt were negotiating over the sale of Apple products in China. China wanted the ability to access Apple networks, iphones and software at will. Apple said no. Apple executives were taken to an Apple store in downtown Bejing. It looked exactly like any Apple store world wide. All of the products were shiny, white, and perfectly packaged. All of the products, the store- everything was fake. The Govt made its point, and Apple quickly allowed access.
So no- I do not buy ChiFi fakes.