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"Invasion" of chinese products on ebay (DAC, amp etc) - Page 4

post #46 of 59
3/28/10 at 12:28pm
Without China, I probably would have had to pay twice as much for a quality tube amp. Maybe it would have been better, but not twice as good.

But, it would be as much a mistake to say that everything from China is great as it would be to say that it's all crap. Am I right in assuming that the "are like the others products sells in the world" option should be read as "are like other products sold elsewhere"? Because I don't know if it's the wording or the plethora of plurals and awkward tenses, but I don't know what it means exactly. That's my vote anyway.

Also, it's good to see overwhelming responses for "Nothing special" through "Awesome" instead of "crap".
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post #47 of 59
3/28/10 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazarus Short View Post
They have no scruples at all, even listing Hong Kong as a location, trying to capitalize on that city's formerly deserved reputation as a good town to do business in. <throws up hands>
Formerly? What's the problem now?
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post #48 of 59
3/28/10 at 2:33pm
So long as the product has a good reputation and customer backup in the UK, such as FiiO then I have no issues. Which is the same for products I have bought from the US, Germany, Austria etc etc.
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post #49 of 59
3/28/10 at 3:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Head Injury View Post
Without China, I probably would have had to pay twice as much for a quality tube amp. Maybe it would have been better, but not twice as good.
I have to admit that the Qinpu stuff scares me a bit, but I'm really stunned by Firestone Audio...good prices, great sound...it's hard to go wrong when you use high quality components on standalone discrete linear PSU's.

HLLY looks great too, they're still learning apparently...but their next DAC should kill

how much should you pay for a CS4398+4*AD797BR DAC outside China? a lot more than $300 shipped for sure.
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post #50 of 59
3/28/10 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Head Injury View Post
Without China, I probably would have had to pay twice as much for a quality tube amp. Maybe it would have been better, but not twice as good.
That really depends on what your definition of a "quality" tube amp is.

If you're cool with marginal circuit topologies, mystery meat transformers, PCBs, and corner-cutting power supplies, then a shiny aluminum case and the ability to tube roll might be all you need.
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post #51 of 59
3/28/10 at 6:17pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Head Injury View Post
Without China, I probably would have had to pay twice as much for a quality tube amp. Maybe it would have been better, but not twice as good.

But, it would be as much a mistake to say that everything from China is great as it would be to say that it's all crap. Am I right in assuming that the "are like the others products sells in the world" option should be read as "are like other products sold elsewhere"? Because I don't know if it's the wording or the plethora of plurals and awkward tenses, but I don't know what it means exactly. That's my vote anyway.

Also, it's good to see overwhelming responses for "Nothing special" through "Awesome" instead of "crap".
I know, my english is really poor.
"are like others products sells in the world" must be intended that the quality and the price are similar to the products not sells in Europe or Usa ("are like other products sold elsewhere", right).
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post #52 of 59
3/28/10 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slash47 View Post
The problem I have is that I haven's seen a single design from China that looks good. It's always very tacky and cheap looking. I want something classy!

I'd like to be wrong and if someone has an example of something that proves it, please share!
Check Matrix Mini -i . Search had -fi.

I ve got it few weeks ago, built well & looks very nice and it is very good (I use it with Hiface usb /BNC - 75 Ohm BNC cable). To my ears it sounds much better than many expensive dacs ...
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post #53 of 59
3/28/10 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by waterlogic View Post
Check Matrix Mini -i.
I highly doubt that Slash47 would enjoy its soldered OPA2134
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post #54 of 59
3/28/10 at 10:17pm
In my experience cheap Chinese audio is hit and miss and I would recommend it to people who are starting out in this hobby with a budget. But realize that it is a bit of a gamble. I like the budget Chinese amps and they are worth it as long as they don't break down.

I've had two bad experiences with budget Chinese DACs but I feel that a good Chinese dac is certainly possible. The way I feel is that hi fi gear should be like an investment so spend the extra for quality because good gear usually sounds very good for many years and require very little maintence. So spend the extra money for quality and peace of mind.
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post #55 of 59
3/29/10 at 1:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by leeperry View Post
I highly doubt that Slash47 would enjoy its soldered OPA2134
Oh, yeah? How about this!

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post #56 of 59
3/31/10 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post
That really depends on what your definition of a "quality" tube amp is.

If you're cool with marginal circuit topologies, mystery meat transformers, PCBs, and corner-cutting power supplies, then a shiny aluminum case and the ability to tube roll might be all you need.
Well, that's true when you are looking for the absolute best... but not everybody wants or can afford gear in your league. Some people just want to dip their toes into the hi-fi pond, and cheap Chinese made gear can be a good way to do it. For example, my first desktop amp was a DV 336. Yeah, the quality is probably way inferior to something from Woo Audio, Mapletree, or Eddie Current. But me, like most new members, don't want to pay $1000 for their first amp. What kind of TV do you have, Uncle Erik? It probably has "marginal circuit topologies" inside it, but that's OK, cause we don't always have to have the absolute best of everything. But, I do get your point about low end solid state amps being better than low end tube amps.
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post #57 of 59
3/31/10 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvrboy View Post
Well, that's true when you are looking for the absolute best... but not everybody wants or can afford gear in your league. Some people just want to dip their toes into the hi-fi pond, and cheap Chinese made gear can be a good way to do it. For example, my first desktop amp was a DV 336. Yeah, the quality is probably way inferior to something from Woo Audio, Mapletree, or Eddie Current. But me, like most new members, don't want to pay $1000 for their first amp. What kind of TV do you have, Uncle Erik? It probably has "marginal circuit topologies" inside it, but that's OK, cause we don't always have to have the absolute best of everything. But, I do get your point about low end solid state amps being better than low end tube amps.
I think this reply misses the point. Good sound is the result of a good circuit with proper components. This is head-fi, therefore, we accept that sound is the most important thing...moreso than thick aluminum casing or plug-and-play sockets. But not everyone can judge circuit topology or power supply behavior, while anyone with a computer can look at shiny cases and read Head-fi comments. A fancy cover does not a good book make, eh?
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post #58 of 59
3/31/10 at 1:59pm
China has built vessels that survive in space. An amp aint no big thing!

Frankly it's a little disgusting that this stigma still exists that people need to question things coming from china. Remember the Grado RA1??????????????? What about Jenalabs? Germania? These were not chinese creations and were terrible.

Like everything, there are bad amps and there are good amps. That is all there is to it. If china ends up being the cheaper option, good for them.
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post #59 of 59
3/31/10 at 10:47pm
The question is really too broad. I think it depends on the specific manufacturer or seller. There are some good deals, some okay deals, and some junk -- probably like any other country!
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