Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
I've never tried any of those so can't comment, but I'm sure you're right.

However, I wouldn't make sweeping statements about Chinese valve amps being "crap", as if they all were, as just as many examples (or more) can be given of very good ones other people and I have used

I could go on about, for example, the crap valve amps from Unison Research, Graaf, Audio Research, McIntosh, Conrad Johnson, amongst others, I've heard over the years from these so called respected 'hi-end' manufacturers and some of the rip off prices being charged for no more than mediocre sound quality!

It's just like anything else in hi-fi, there are good and bad examples of everything. However, in my experience the Chinese get right far more than they do wrong - and they learn quickly from their mistakes.

Marco.
I'm not saying that all Chinese equipment is C**P i'm sure there must be one or two out there that are good. Shanling and Opera Cons come to mind, I believe they have a reasonable reputation. However I think if you were to take a straw poll on many of the forums you would find lots of people who have bad experiences with Chinese equipment. Most likey this would outweigh those who have extoled the virtues of their Chinese amps.
I for one am prerared to forgo some of the performace and pay more in favour of something that
**can be easily reparied
**is spported by the manufacturer
**uses quality components
**is reliable and dependable
**dose not have to be modified to cure inherent problems such as hum
**or be made safe to use

If members have really good experiences with their Chinese equipment spread over a reasonable period, not just a few months then it would be good to know. There are however manufacturers out there who have a 30 years plus of manufacturing and supporting valve amps who might be a better bet in the long run?
I.E.
ARC
Manley Labs
Atama Sphere
EAR Yoshino
Audio Valve
Croft
To name but a few.
At least these Guys dont pass off Chinese made equipment as their own which seems to be a growing trend in the market.