Arcam CD73T Question

[replytoken]

I was under the impression that all Arcam equipment was manufactured in England. While inquiring with a dealer about the CD73T's country of origin, I was informed that it was made in P.R.C. Can anybody verify if this indeed correct?

 

[Zach]

Just checked the back of mine - PRC it is. Does Chinese build concern you?

 

[GWN]

Several manufacturer design their gear at home and then have a company in the PRC build it. Sometimes its the entire line, sometimes its the entry level stuff. Rotel, Arcam, YBA and to name a few. Others have most of the sub- assemblies done in the PRC then do final assembly in the country of origin. My Arcam FMJ CD23T is built in the UK.

 

[replytoken]

It only concerns me in that ARCAM used to make a big deal about how all of their products were made in their own factory in the UK. This "silent" change in production policy concerns me in that their Diva line is more expensive than their old Alpha line (which was highly thought of by many people), and it is being made off shore with cheaper labor. I cannot answer to quality or improvement in sound as I have not heard the unit, but I wonder how much of the savings has been passed along to the consumer in the form of better value, and how much of it is not leaving the manufacturer. I do realize that lots of production is being sent off shore, but my past experiences with equipment that was designed in a company's country of origin and produced off shore was not up to a level of quality that I expected. My expectations may be high and YMMV, but it is a factor in my decision making process.

 

[GWN]

Yes, I agree with you. Unfortunately, items built in the PRC are today a fact of life. A quick check of electronic gear in the house shows that I have the following items built in China.
Sony cordless phone
Sony Clock Radio
General Electric telephone answering machine
Motorola Cellular phone
Energizer Battery charger
Pioneer DVD
most of the components in my computer.
and the list goes on.

 

[ipodstudio]

My FMJ CD33T says "Made in the UK" on the back, JFYI.

 

[replytoken]

As you have confirmed, I believe the FMJ line is still produced in the UK. It is just the Diva line that was moved off shore.

 

[ipodstudio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by replytoken As you have confirmed, I believe the FMJ line is still produced in the UK. It is just the Diva line that was moved off shore.

Seems that way...It's always abit worrying when you find out your equipment has been made elsewhere than where you first imagined...Hopefully the quality is still the same. It'll be interesting to listen and see if anyone comes up with any negs (or positives) concerning the PRC version. Hopefully it won't be like when Nikon manufactured their CP5400 digital camera in Korea...

 

[replytoken]

It's funny you mention the Nikon example. I have used a lot of photographic equipment over the years, especially Nikon, and when I went to look for a digital P/S camera several years ago, I considered buying a Nikon. The quality was so cheap that I returned it for a Canon Powershot (that was built in Japan) which was only slightly more money. It has been a solid performer that feels well built.

I hate to harp on build quality, but for the most part, I am not a fan of disposable technology. Quality, however, does come at a cost, so i cannot complain that we have choices to fit our budgets. In general, I just wish manufacturers offered a bit more in the mid range between high quality and disposable.

 

[gsferrari]

I prefer to buy something built in Asia...it is cheaper for the end customer at the end...unless of course the company maintains prices comparable to UK build costs to make a massive profit

which is what I would expect...

I am also interested in the Arcam...cant find too many reviews here...