Chinese DAC's

@vinylvalet @fthompson251 @nonoise Thank you. My realization of global supply chains began with a 1984 VW Jetta, engine and transmission made in Germany, tires from Brazil, Glass from the US, stereo from Japan, wheels from Italy and body built and assembled in Mexico. I made a bumper sticker for it that said, 'Made on Earth / By Humans'. Nothing much has happened in the last 40 years to change that view, except the rise in Intellectual Property as a factor in value resulting in the concept of value chains, where the metric changes from material value to intellectual value added. Audio provides any number of perfect examples of that. Anybody with a table saw and a Parts Express catalog (no offense, I actually like them) can get into the speaker business. But not just anybody can build a KEF, or a Sonus Faber, or a Wilson. Anybody can buy ESS Sabre DAC chips, case and power supply, but executing the software for the filters is a whole 'nother level of value add. Building big flat panel TVs, which the US has zero manufacturing capacity, would require licensing a ton of IP (if it were even offered) on the process of making zero-defect screens. So worse than the obsolete concept of material tariffs, the ignorance of the equally or more important value chains make these trade restrictions poorly conceived and a failure before they even begin. We gave away manufacturing decades ago, and it's not coming back, except perhaps as automated factories. We are world leaders in lots of IP areas, in medicine, biotechnology, and computers (where is nVidias real value? Their IP portfolio). Failing to invest in and protect that will truly be the loss of our last, best chance. 

@freediver "It is a COMMON PROPAGANDIST PLOY to hide political statements with platitudes..The very statements "I don't think trade with China will ever be the same.  I hope that these engineers are able to get there products to market."are subtle but definite references to political based policies!"

What an odd post. Are you not feeling well today?

i dont have topping dac, i own a french NOS dac and a Hidiz dac...

And a very costly dac as you suggested dont couple well with low cost products...

i am interested more  by acoustics basic than by gear pieces...budget command and knowledge beat upgrades if not it replace it with a satisfying alternative.

@mahgister : "

"Wise post!
I dont need to write anything more..."

And then......?
Seriously though, rather than look at poor Topping Dacs, if you want to look at real high quality Chinese Dacs look at Audio Music Dac/1.

I bought my Chinese made Gustard X26 Pro on Amazon a few years back.  I enjoy the clarity and soundstage I get, particularly using the I2S input.  In my room it sounded better than a Chord Cutest and a similarly priced Benchmark.  

I just got on Amazon and looked at the prices and I don't think they have gone up on Gustard products since the tariffs. 

I assume you all know that you can audition a Gustard DAC at home and if you don't like it you can drop it off at Whole Foods (at least in the US)