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?
Dealers with that attitude still exist in 'niche' markets it seems. Haven't had to stomach it since TX, but it's still around...everywhere...😒 I look at the backs of my hands tapping this out, and I see Beige...not White. Just another 'popular misconception' that's been around way too long... |
Too funny! A month ago I had the same conversation with that guy via email when I tried to source a new remote control for my Line Magnetic 515CD. His response: "Sorry to hear that you’re having all these problems. These brands from China are simply garbage. We tried them and had tons of technical issues across the board. Line Magnetic, PrimaLuna, Cayin and on and on and on. Oceans of junk. Getting any assistance from Line Magnetic is pretty much 100% impossible. Contact the dealer that sold it to you that’s probably your best bet. Merry Christmas." Alrighty then. So I take all this with a large grain of salt. Methinks this fellow had a serious axe to grind, for whatever reason. But I’m pissed that this nice chunky aluminum remote failed in less than 50-hours usage, tops. Replacement remotes are not available because LM is no longer in the CDP business. It’ll cost close to $100.00 parts + labor to repair the remote. Having said that I have no regrets about purchasing the 515CD. It’s still one of my most rewarding buying experiences of the past decade. After all it’s only money. |
@hifijones Do you think one of those self learning remotes could be substituted? I too had Chinese dac remote go bad, in my case I found bad solder joint, reflowed, good to go. This only failure I've incurred with Chinese products.
And it is possible that one of these unfamiliar Chinese brands may in fact be good quality. Again, open up and examine.
And oh, by the way, I built a Dynaco clone from kit some years ago, many Chinese parts in that build, and all kit builds for that matter. If one is intransigent on buying Chinese, they should remove all Chinese built parts in everything they own, see how you like your life now. And that dealer should get out of audio business, he's selling Chinese products, just ignorant or in denial.
There is and always has been much injustice in this world, and from every quarter. Moral certitude about these issues is inherently hypocritical in human realm. Faulty rationalizations need be practiced in order for one to not see themselves as part of this system of injustices. |
