I currently have an American made tube amp. It's excellent.
I used to have a SS amp from China. It was the best amp I ever had.
I'd say run...don't walk...to another dealer. This guy sounds like a clown.
China built tube amps
Well I had an interesting conversation today. I contacted a large dealer and let him know I would like to buy a certain integrated tube amplifier that is made in China. I was told he wouldn't sell me one. He said they are all junk. Prima Luna, Line Magnetic, Cayin, etc, etc, he said forget it. If you want a tube amplifier buy an American or European built unit that can be serviced.
So, I am new to valve amplifiers and I want to try one to understand what they're all about and sort of get my feet wet with tube rolling etc. I don't want to spend a lot of money at first which is why I was looking at Chinese built integrateds. So my question is, without getting into any particular brand other than what I have already mentioned, what is your experience with Chinese built tube amps? As a whole are they reliable? Am I wasting my money if I buy one according to this dealer? I have to admit I was rather taken aback by how adamant he was. Thoughts anyone?
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The dealer told me to buy Ayon or wait for it.........Atma-Sphere! I told him sure, I would love to buy those amps, but that was way more than I wanted to spend on my first tube amp in my second system. I get the whole buy American thing for serviceability but you have to match the gear to the customer. You can't sell a $10,000.00 piece amp to someone wanting to spend $2500.00 or less. |
@falconquest Yep, that's the same dealer I communicated with as well. I knew it. He carries both Ayon and Atma-Sphere (among others) so the recommendations make sense - both are great brands but there is no place in this market to disparage entire country's products. He will never get my business. |
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