Chinese DAC's

Not just Chinese audio, recently discovered new streaming produced in Latvia, modified by US  entity. Seriously considering purchasing at $3k price, sudden price increase last few day to $3500, aprox. 16.5% jump. No way I'm paying an extra $500 for nothing. And why the 16.5% increase when tariff temporarily dropped to 10%, or has that changed in the last few hours. Suppliers to our family business quoting all sorts of percentage price increases in recent weeks, price gauging, true cost of doing business or simply guessing, crazy days.

@nonoise @freediver No this  is not political.  Right before I wrote the post I was going thru looking at used Holo DAC's and the news was playing on TV in the background talking about how both economies are starting to decouple from each other.    

I visited LAIV’s room at Axpona/2025 and was generally impressed by their Harmony DAC and other electronics.  They are certainly well built with the latest SMD technology.  Alvin at Vinshine mentioned that they have a limited pre-tariff stock in the USA-- so it would be timely to move on that if LAIV is on your radar.

I’ve heard a $700 Musician DAC in a friend’s system.  That one is a great value, but I was unable to A-B it to anything.

The top Audio-GD R2R DAC is in transit to me.  This one should be particularly interesting as an example of what can be achieved in China at a higher price point.  I’ll be comparing its I2S input to an Esoteric K-01X with USB input from a Sonore Signature Rendu Deluxe with SOtM USBultra.

The tariff situation is certainly unfortunate and will freeze business in the short term-- affecting also exports by US-based audio companies  My guess is that it will eventually sink of its own weight.   

@brbrock Agreed. My post was in response to freediver's over the top, knee jerk  response to you. It's too bad Alvin doesn't have any Tai Hang DC blockers for sale here that are pre tariff, waiting to be sold. 

All the best,
Nonoise

The issue I’m encountering with all importers of products from tariffed countries is that if there a 20% tariff on a product, the tariff is on the product but not on the cost of doing business. Why are all this companies talking about raising their prices by said amount when the price of the item is fractions of the retail price?