We win the second world war among many factors at play for two economic understated reasons here in North American comic books and movies about Hitler :
First the price in combats numbers and battles in men : here Us had no right to compare to Russia loss ... 420,000 deaths compared to the huge Russia sacrifice fixing Most Hitler forces on the ice of Russia: 27 millions of death.
Without Russia no way US can win against european nazified industry...
It takes and it is my second point the huge 1000 boats of the merchant fleet of Norvegian navy transport for England survival to annihilate the Hitler conquest by alimenting England as a fortified island.. The russians and the Norvegian fleet did the hard job..
wikipedia : «Without the Norwegian merchant fleet, Britain and the allies would have lost the war".[1
I recommended to buy Norvegian and Russian audio products. 😁None of these countries being Nazis or communist right now. None owning any military bases out of their historical borders.
By the way Norvegians refused to comply and do not delivered jews and saved 90 % of their jew population... America refuse to host most jews demanding asylum...
Truth matters...
We all love our country but blind nationalism is only propaganda...
It is like in audio many people takes the truth in reverse mode :
It is acoustics and psychoacoustics science that rule gear design quality and it is acoustics then the main knowledge to reach audiophile experience not merely an upgrade of amplifier or speaker in itself most of the times.
The only exception will be to go from very low cost speakers as my 100 bucks one to my past Tannoy dual Gold concentric for example ... but i modified my little speakers low cost they almost compete with the Tannoy if we put them in a living room instead of a dedicated acoustic room...
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For me it's a difficult choice. I'm an American. I love American made quality. I love legacy American products- like Audio Research, Pass Labs and Magnepan.
I prefer to keep my money in my home town- local businesses get my dollars whenever possible. After that nationally. I'm cool with Canadian quality products as well- like Bryston.
However the issue of quality matters too- I drive a Lexus not a Cadillac- (although I do own a 1971 Eldorado convertible) If a piece that is exemplary happens to be ChiFi I'm OK with that- sorta. I have iPhones. Meh- my first DAC was ChiFi and pretty good quality too. Again meh- I guess as a Detroit boy and a former steel producer I'm pained by American industry being lost to Globalists. So I am happiest when I support my countrymen. So it's ARC over a Burmister for me!
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Jay's CD Transports
Gustard dacs
LHY switches
Excellent quality, great connectivity, no issues for multiple years. Hard to believe there are better values anywhere.
I own equipment from China, Japan, USA, Portugal, UK, Danemark and Taiwan. It all sounds right to my ears. If I picked only equipment from countries that would align with my personal values, I would own nothing.
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laoman - freedom and democracy are not free, nobody’s playing revisionists history here, you must not have the same meaning as I do when is say, “In modern times…”. The Vietnam war was a debacle and with the luxury of clear hindsight, a mistake. War is now being played out, when possible, with precision munitions so that collateral deaths and injuries are eliminated or greatly lessened. But it’s not always possible, and it’s often very ugly both to body and mind. But that can’t take away the good the U.S. does in this world, in these MODERN TIMES, not 50 years ago.
hilde45 - nobody is stealing oil out from underneath anyone’s sand, it’s being bought and paid for. If this moron of a president we have now had half a brain we’d be oil independent. And by the way, I think they’re both morons, I simply like conservative policies much better than the alternative.
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I notice that anytime a question is asked about Audio Equipment that has anything to do with China, a large percentage of comments become political. While we are all entitled to our opinions, I would remind everyone of the story of Glass Houses and Stones. When I look at the mess in our own countries, I question the Holier Than Thou attitudes being tossed about. Let's get back to discussing audio equipment and leave the saving of the world to those more qualified. Like The Donald. 😭
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I purchased interconnects from china for under $100 per piece.
I’ve owned some good interconnects in the past such as the sigma v2, and a used pair of the stealth audio Indra V10 (these were not cheap $$).
Are the chinese cables as good as either of them? no
but honestly, they are not that far off. To get this quality elsewhere I would have to pay many multiples more
I havent purchased anything else directly from China but the value is there. You cant match the bang for buck
Would I rather support a domestic company? of course
But the price disparity is ridiculous. Like maybe if I could match the quality of these interconnects for $1,000 we could have a discussion.... but I cant. Some of these xlrs are 5 figures and the price gouging is out of control so I have no regrets
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The stereotype of China making junk is really outdated, and simply not true. I focus on buying Made in USA when possible and practical, but judge other purchases by the company making them, not the freakin location. I work for one of the top three electronics contract manufacturers on the planet, and have for the past 28 years+ with plants and employees in China and all over Asia and the rest of the planet. We make high tech stuff for the top names. Many of these places operate extremely high tech and high quality manufacturing. We live in a world economy, so you cannot escape the fact that some components of whatever you buy will not be Made in USA for many reasons. Get past the old stereotypes of Asia making junk as that is not the case even though there is still a lot of low end stuff being made there, it's not the rule. For folks who focus on Made in USA, there is still a lot to choose from if you look.
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@mahgister Russia not "owning any military bases out of their historical borders"
other than an entire army in another country, bombing cities and villages, killing and and raping and torturing civilians and shipping babies and children into brainwashing camps. Small nuance. I thought you were somewhat reasonable.
What does it take the admin to remove this wildly politicized post?
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My 2 cents:
Boycotting goods for political reasons is a form of political activism. We intend to induce change, or at the very least opt out of involvement with those we don't agree with, or find utterly disgusting. While we might feel better about ourselves, our "activism" may not produce the change we looking for. Oftentimes our "good intentions" actually make things worse for those we are trying to "help." I can sight many examples.
As far as the CCP is concerned, you don't have to look very deep to see how complex the income stream is for that country. Political royalty from all over the globe have expressed "public anti-CCP ideologies" yet take bribes and do business with those who, let's say, don't have our best interests at heart. So, we're sitting here at our desktop agonizing on whether or not to purchase a DAC from a Chinese company, while billions are being pushed in their direction by those we "trust". Yes, I get the "living with yourself" factor, and we all want to do the "right thing." I boycotted an American company that insulted their customers: "Here's our stance. If you don't agree with us you're stupid, and a terrible person." I understand the hesitation to support those who (as reported) are 180 degrees out of phase with our core values (or grossly misinterpret our values).
It gets back to the audio. Value is certainly a consideration. But, there not one person here that isn't willing to pay more to get more. Sometimes Chinese goods fill that basic requirement as well.
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Ukraine is part of Russia history and historical borders... And an historical fact is not a defense of agression it is only an historical fact ...
Second: Us had 750 known military bases around earth...Russia own 20 bases mostly all in the borders of the ex Soviet union...then Russia has no bases all around the earth..
What is threatening between two countries , the one owning bases all around a planet or the other who did not ?
These are FACTS... Not propaganda as is your appeal to censorship...
Are we not in a free country here ?
@mahgister Russia not "owning any military bases out of their historical borders"
other than an entire army in another country, bombing cities and villages, killing and and raping and torturing civilians and shipping babies and children into brainwashing camps. Small nuance. I thought you were somewhat reasonable.
What does it take the admin to remove this wildly politicized post?
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Some of us are old enough to remember when "Made in Japan" was the qualifier for cheap and inferior products. However, I do agree with others that buying from both a Communist and antagonistic country is not optimal.
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Of course, it’s very difficult to avoid Chinese manufacturing in most anything. I avoid patronizing Chinese companies because I believe China is the greatest threat to US and the world. I don’t want to give my money to a country that threatens us. My choice has nothing to do with product quality.
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@mahgister you seem to know very little about Russia's history. But let's move on. By your logic, anyone can use the historical border argument. The World would be a bloodbath in a split second. Historical borders were arguments used in devastating world wars. I would recommend you look at maps from a few hundred years ago.
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Not carrying or buying things made in China is just virtue signaling.
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re censorship: wrong again. Not wanting to see chainsaws in a a children’s toy store is not censorship. It’s common sense. This is an audio forum. And you brought politics into it, and your "facts". It makes no sense to have such discussion here.
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I kind of started from scratch a few years ago. I purchased a Topping D90. Still have it and enjoy it. The digital section has very good parts. I don't know about the analog side but sound is neutral.
I don't have the budget to experiment. But I am curious. I purchased silver coated OCC copper with Rhodium coated 45 degree angle bananas that have expanding ends to lock them into place. 2 M speaker cables $93. I am sending my American made ribbon wires to have the same ends put on. Those wires were $100.
I have American spirit. I love America. I have strong opinions but it is a waste of time in most cases to argue with people. Especially here. Either buy or not, there are personal reasons one way or the other..
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You take a fact i gave out of his context...
Read my posts context...
I compared a country number of planet earth bases and conflicts numbers out of his historical borders with another country number of bases and conflicts out of his historical borders...
I never suggested that a war is right invading another country...On this count Us beat Russia by the number of wars in all countries around earth ...
It is you who takes propaganda as fact and appeal to censor my post...
Facts are facts.
And i did not begin the propaganda lies here...
I only propose facts to counter them...
back to audio... You are right about this... 😊
@mahgister you seem to know very little about Russia’s history. But let’s move on. By your logic, anyone can use the historical border argument. The World would be a bloodbath in a split second. Historical borders were arguments used in devastating world wars. I would recommend you look at maps from a few hundred years ago.
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"It’s about being from a communist country. We have issues supporting them."
The definition of a "communist country" is becoming a little more vague these days. Some highly educated individuals in "democratic societies" wear it as a badge of honor.
Just sayin’
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You are so right...
Even an ex Chinese exile woman interviewed by Tucker Carlson from the CCP living here in the US recognized with fears the ideology of our so called "free and better society " as pure propaganda by many social aspects ... Canada under Trudeau is becoming a jail under surveillance as CCP modelled it in China right now ...
the WHO unelected privately controlled institution proposition for the censorship about any matter of Health or politics is evident proof..
it is useless to boycott a selected country agression and not all the others countries who do the same agressions in their own way..
Selected boycott is only propaganda..
truth inhabit the heart of some people around the world not the politics of a country presented as a model ...
"It’s about being from a communist country. We have issues supporting them."
The definition of a "communist country" is becoming a little more vague these days. Some highly educated individuals in "democratic societies" wear it as a badge of honor.
Just sayin’
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There are many reasons not to buy a Chinese made product when there is a suitable alternative that’s made in a country with a similar playing field to the USA. Where I believe many companies go wrong is they don’t consider that country of origin is important to many of us, and not supporting the Chinese economy is in all of our best interest. Audio equipment is a source of pride for many of us, and something that connects with our soul. B&W is an example of not understanding how many audiophiles think. While the 805 series of speakers are made within their UK factory with pride, you only need to drop down to the 700 series to find they are made in China, and the 705’s cost a whopping $3400! For that price there are a whole lot of other options that aren’t made in China.
As so often happens, when a business becomes too large, or is taken over by a large corporation, the location of manufacturing becomes less important for them, and it’s all about the marketing and incremental profit. A savvy consumer, and someone who is looking for more than a brand name at a cheap price, will seek out quality, and something they can be proud of.
This is certainly a conversation that could go on forever, and if you have time, I’d love to talk about Vice-Grip….
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Yes indeed, Chinese commies are threatening the sovereignty of the world’s countries (No, there are no US bases circling China and Russia, i don't see any...I see Chinese and Russian bases all around the USA). Only Diana Krall playing @60 db for the audiobool on his fleawatt amp and 15k power cable can bring back world peace.
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Political concerns aside, quality can be problematic.
I deal with them for heavy equipment and components in oil and gas production.
They will just absolutely lie about what a sub component is, with fake test results and counterfeit labels. Things like a certain grade of steel pipe not being what they say. Or heat and vibration resistant capacitors from Switzerland being a knock off with a fake label.
So even good faith assemblers in China get garbage passed onto them without them knowing. They have no comprehension of intellectual property or trade names.
And it tends to get worse as you go along. After years of things going well, suddenly garbage starts being shipped.
Long way of saying, it can be great stuff, but very much buyer beware.
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japan is where you get the finest gear made by the best at prices commensurate to the quality and craftsmanship of the gear, not really a place for bargain hunting.
the quality of china-made gear goes from best to worst, and the value for the dollar is all over the place. some mediocre gear is way overpriced, some excellent gear is excellent value for the dollar.
whoever wrote "The U.S. promotes freedom and democracy around the world" is talkin nonsense. lets be grown up here. our #1 export is arms and war, quite often in furtherance of deterring, ending or preventing freedom and democracy. we even train foreign terrorists at US soil @ ft benning, ga for this and other purposes. we do much worse than that as well.
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It's all about the Dollar. If you can produce a product that's similar, for a cheaper price people will go buy it.
Is the cheaper price worth it?
In a small town when you buy something from a local vendor the money will spread throughout the village and all within that village will prosper. Jobs are created. However, the sad truth is...it doesn't matter if the manufacturer is from your village. We now can easily extend past the village. The enticement is powerful. Even if they are a friend or neighbor people will now quietly buy the cheaper product to save money. Even though it will hurt the local economy and possibly put your friend out of business, it doesn't matter, there is NO loyalty to do so.
I believe that people would buy product from the Devil himself if it was a cheaper price. A short sighted view with no consideration of long term effects.
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I think you are right on the spot...
Krall will help us all ...😊
Great map ... Thanks
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