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Made In China

There seems to be a lot of varying opinion when it comes to China and the products that are made there. I personally know of an audio store in my home town that made the decision to no longer carry products with manufacturing ties in China. Maybe that’s why they have such a limited show room? Recently, I purchased a Cayin RU2 portable DAC and headphone dongle that‘s made in China. It’s the only audio product that I own that’s solely manufactured by a Chinese company and so far I have no complaints. Of course, my Apple products were likely made in China and I like those a lot. And if I’m correct (and I’m likely incorrect), Denafrips and Schiit Audio products are assembled in China but I’m uncertain where those companies are located. So I’m just wondering about audio products from Asia that offer high end build and sound quality. I would assume that most products from China, Korea, Japan, etc… offer a high value for the dollar? Anyway, please feel free to share your opinion and knowledge on this topic as I’m wanting to learn more about what‘s out made and engineered in that part of the world.

Thanks!

128x128goofyfoot
treynolds155
184 posts
 

I don't think there's any question about China's ability to create quality equipment. I had a PrimaLuna amp that was excellent build quality.

Personally I just can't stomach their government anymore and avoid their products at all costs. I feel for the citizens of that country. 

zappas's avatar
zappas
176 posts
 

I hear China makes a great war machine with your money. 

rcm1203's avatar
rcm1203
100 posts
 

Back to the OP's question. A company I'm quite familiar with, Vincent Audio, has a lot of their products built in China. All of their products are designed in Germany, and they built their own factory in China and have the control to maintain the build process to their strict standards. I currently own three examples, all hybrid tube/ss, which is something Vincent got into early on. IMHO, their gear bats way above it's price range and the build quality rivals that of western countries. It is also some of the best sounding gear I have owned, and, with several years in, I have yet to experience any problems with my examples. 

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
552 posts
 

In tracing supply chains, I've come to the conclusion that most equipment is made on earth, by humans, laboring for abusive employers under fundamentally flawed governments. And while unfortunate, it seems to be the best we can do. 

philgo01
74 posts
 

The challenge I have with MADE IN CHINA products is the fact that Chinese companies (some are joint ventures with their western counterpart) continue to be opaque in their relationship with  or ownership by members of the  Chinese  Communist Party, as the majority of companies in China have ties with the CCP.  Just google the "Construction Cranes Made in China" to see very recent troubling developments there...  Having said that, most audio companies are rather SMALL compared to automobile manufacturing companies... and I have my doubts if CCP will exploit audio companies for their political / economic  advantage.  BUT, I still do not trust the CCP, period.

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