Warning: China-Hifi-Audio.com

Having ordered from China before (Not Audio), I am astounded that the $595 shipping charge did not seem excessive or bogus.

50 kilo amps are not cheap to ship to the US from China. Trust me on that. I live in Korea. It costs a hell of a lot to ship something from the US to me. 

As for the Chinese made amps, I'd recommend getting them through Singapore. I got my Line Magnetic 805 from Robert Lai at SG Live Acoustics. Robert ran it in for a couple of weeks, made some upgrades, checked it over, and it's been running quite well. He takes good care of his customers and his prices are remarkable. My local dealer was only selling the 508, so I went with Robert. For Muzishare (made by the same company), Quartz Acoustics in Singapore is a good option. They also have excellent prices and carefully run in their equipment. 

The Line Magnetic is state of the art. Some of the garbage being said about Chinese equipment is just that. And I'm glad I got the advice I did from Audiogon folks about this amp, people like Facten for example. 

I can live without a lot of the Sinophobia being expressed here. It's really uncalled for. A lot of Asian folk are being attacked senselessly in the US right now, which just goes to show that irrationality has no specific home.

I have purchased Shuguang vacuum tubes from China-hifi-audio.com. One was a quad of WE KT-88 Plus tubes. One of the tubes went bad after they no longer were available and towards the end of the one-year warranty period. I figured i was SOL, but Yong managed to find a replacement. It took a while, and he was a little slow on email which he apologized for, but he stood behind the product he sold.

I don’t doubt Calieng’s experience. Just another data point.

Ordered many items over many years from mainland China and Hong Kong, mostly through ebay sellers with much feedback over the long term. Never had a single problem. I don't purchase the higher price items, four, five hundred dollars max. I've also had good experiences with both with Apos and Shenzhen audio.

As for Chinese audio in general, I bet the vast majority of systems contain Chinese components and/or finished products. There can be no doubt our financial well being will take a serious hit if Chinese/USA relations deteriorate into a more serious trade war.

I live in Argentina and I've bought several ítems from China HiFi Audio, including my Line Magnetic LM-508 amp, with out ANY issue. In fact, the owner of the website, Mr Yong is a gentleman and he has always been very professional and fast in the comunication with me.

Regarding chinese audio gear, all of my system, but the speakers and some tweaks, are from China or the far east (Line Magnetic, Audio-GD and SOtM). To be honest, Ive heard systems costing more than 5 times mine not sounding as good. Many chinese audio gear have great quality to price ratio.

I can live without a lot of the Sinophobia being expressed here. It's really uncalled for. A lot of Asian folk are being attacked senselessly in the US right now, which just goes to show that irrationality has no specific home.

A lot of that xenophobia seems to make it's way here. It's an ongoing thing as it's de rigueur around here with some people. 

All the best,
Nonoise

Shipping costs are a problem, but many people had good experiences with this retailer. And those R8 amps are pretty damn good.

"They spy on us in every way possible especially hacking our..."

What was the name of the guy who said it publicly long before this thread? Edward something.

And, tube dstasheets don’t even appear to act as guidelines for some Chinese ‘designers’ - unless their transformer winders are on crack.

the warning was right there in the domain name

$595 shipping charge?   .
Usually the China government pays the charges.  That's why china crap is so cheap 

   This was funny also ,,,  from China.Paypal is usually on the buyer's side.

"Usually the China government pays the charges."

Where is that information available to check? What terms they have and what are the exclusions to that?

Hello everyone i have not read every comment on this thread but couple of pages for sure i did read. As an one of The American entrepreneurs i built and failed a couple of businesses my own. I am also an engineer building large datacenters for large carriers. So i see bought sides of the table.  i see a great value Chinese companies and products can offer they do good engineering when they can. I would suggest the US buyers should be more patient before they publicly complain little too soon. From china hifi  I bought items. I will do it again and again. I also had to claim a return from another Chinese vendor because i did not wanted to wait for 60 days they were out of stock. I got my return in a couple of days. So stuff happens. As a buyer  if i am able to get something as good and paying half price or one third i would really try hard to do the business. I believe Chinese good hifi products give me chance to owe and also listen good music otherwise good amps are not in reach with my budget from western countries. As we all know the reasons.  I bought muzishare x7 from china hifi and buying x9 now. I am always in touch with Yong Lee by emails. Himself is a hifi enthusiast as well. He personally stoped one of my orders because he did not recommend the product. So nothing is perfect I believe and understand we just need to be more factual. Just my 2 cents. 

I bought a r800i 300B 845 amp from China hi fi and paid the $595 shipping. I figured some of that might be profit, but it was still a good deal if the amp was a good quality piece. I knew it was a bit of a gamble, but I've bought crap products and had horrible customer service in America too. That said, a 100 pound amp from China was on my doorstep in five days. I'm still amazed by that! The amp was great. Non fatiguing with that single ended triode sound, just a little flat and grainy, but it still needed to break in. I replaced the 12AX7 and 6SN7 input tubes with some I had on hand and it got really good. I bypassed the bias supply and cathode electrolytics with some cheap .1uF film caps I had on hand and now it sounds fantastic! One thing is for sure, I would never have had a 300B/845 amp if I had to buy it from anywhere else, it would have remained a dream. I would love to buy this from a U.S. manufacturer, but it would have cost more than I am willing to pay. My guess is the U.S. price would be many multiples of the $2K I paid. I was going to build a GM70 amplifier and the cost of transformers and chokes (cheap iron, not the good stuff) was well over $1K. I think it would be wise to remember that the people of a country and the government of a country are not necessarily the same. I definitely don't think the current US government represents me very well. I'm not encouraging anyone to buy chinese, but I discourage lumping all people of any country together. Anyway, my amp kicks arse!

Have you measured the voltages in your amp? I have seen some pretty high B+ and (especially) filament voltages in some Chinese amps which lead me to question their long term reliability. A few resistors may save you heartache.

Not yet. I opened it originally to check bias because the instructions didn't provide a meter reading-to-bias current description, at least not in English. I opened it a second time to add a couple of bypass capacitors because I've come to the conclusion that electrolytic capacitors and diode switching is responsible for much of what we call electronic/solid state sound. I was afraid to use my meter to check voltages because it's not rated for the 1000 volts 845 tubes usually run at. (Of course I could have checked filament voltage, but I forgot.) I've since removed my head from my butt and remembered that I could measure voltage drops across various components to deduce the rail voltages, but I haven't opened it again yet, too busy listening to music and shaking my head that I own something this cool. The only problem with this amp is the rectifier tube arcs on startup with some of the different 12AX7 tubes I've tried. It looks like the input stage and possibly the 300B drivers are tube rectified, while the 845s are rectified via solid state diode strings. I think the first capacitor following the rectifier is too large, but the power supply components are on a circuit board and it requires a bit of effort to get to the solder side to see "what's doin". I'll check soon.

300B and 845 filaments are 5 and 10 volts respectively. B+ for 300B and 845s is 260 and 945 volts respectively. 12AX7 and 6SN7 heater voltages are 12.6 and 6.3 volts. I fully expected the voltages to be "close enough", but they were essentially perfect. I forgot to mention that I unscrewed one of the output transformers thinking the enclosure was hollow and a small output transformer was hiding inside. Nope. Large potted output transformers. This is all in reference to the Willsenton r800i 300B 845. I have paid a lot more for a lot less. I feel like I stole the damn thing at the price it's being sold for. Mine was a return so it was $400 bucks cheaper and had a couple of small scratches on it. The tube complement alone could easily cost half the price of this amp. The other Willsenton amps that have been reviewed by the online and YouTube community have gotten similar great reviews. 

Hmmm. But what about all of your cell phones and computers, and washing machines and refrigerators, all built in China? Are you simply looking the other way and holding your nose while using your cell phone? Seems a bit hypocritical to bash Chinese built gear and classify it as poor. Some is excellent. I’ve a Grant Fidelity sponsored Shuguang tube kt88 integrated whose sound I’d put up as an extremely solid 8 of 10 sound and build wise. Critics!

I wonder if the person returning it lived just down the road from you. Could have saved some postage! 

@cocona that’s excellent to hear. It’s always worthwhile checking, if only for peace of mind. i hope it fulfils your expectations.

Smaarch, I agree about PP being crappy.
I lost over $1500 for a purchase that I returned and am out my money and product! The seller in China somehow “refused” the return package AND swapped the product with a piece of some kind of funky pipe fitting-PayPal sided with him!!
they could be worse the could be selling “magnetic contact cleaner for $600 for 3 ml” 
did anyone else get that email from agon?
hahahaha!!!

Sorry to hear about your problem. Unlucky I guess. I've bought thru their website multiple times in the last 4-5 years. Never once had a problem. Hope it works out for you

Well China experiment #2 a total failure....so I tried another dealer. Hifi-Equis. Ordered the Muzishare R100  845 amp. They sent it DHL in the original box - no double box. DHL literally dropped it on my front porch on the side. Hole in the side of the box. Big crease where it was dropped somewhere before. Open the box up and the faceplate is completely broken away from the chassis. Did you know Muzishare just glues these aluminum faceplates to the chassis? For a 100 lb amp no brakets or screws holding it on.....I am the dumbest person on the planet but will not be fooled a third time. I am official done with Chifi.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ao2ZoPAEeZxdsLR2E80or_FGNcz1-Q?e=ucm4uK

Just received a Willsenton R8 and 3 Jungson Diety 3 power cables from Yong Lee (China Hifi).  All look good.  This guy is legitimate.Jonathan in Wi, USA.  

I'll chime in as well, I ordered and received my R8 from China HiFi.  It arrived double boxed and in immaculate condition, still smelling like fresh paint.  I ordered on Feb 15th, received a text from DHL on 3/31 that my amp was shipped, and it arrived on my doorstep on 4/5.  They have a note on the website that explains the delays.  These are hand made units and they have a backlog.  Every unit has been sold so ignore anything the website may say about having units "in stock". 

If you are not comfortable paying in advance and waiting several weeks, then keep an eye on Amazon, if you are lucky enough to find one in stock, it will arrive in a few days since it's already with AWS.  I imagine once they work through their current backlog they'll be back on Amazon regularly, but that may take months. Its also usually a bit more money on Amazon then going direct.  

I feel for the consumers that may have been inconvenienced or mislead but many of these complaints seem like the result of impatience.  There are plenty of scams involving Chinese goods all over the internet so your skepticism is warranted, but I think China-HiFi is trying to operate a legitimate business. I haven't heard of anyone not getting their money back, or not receiving an amp they paid for, but then I haven't read through all these responses nor will I. Life's too short. I'd rather be listening. IMO the R8 is well worth the wait. 

I read in headphone.com forum were you said you got your money back. Is this true or not. If it’s not true why did you claim you received your money back then. If you have a bad experience with a vender, that’s understandable, however if you’ve been made whole and are still trashing this seller that’s wrong. Get your story straight. You have less credibility then a guy trying to make a living in a different country with different customs, language and different time zones your mad because it took you a week to get a refund.  Just about every store in America takes 3 to 7 days to refund money, because they don’t want to pay it twice in the event the card company cancels payment which happen a lot. As far paying a deposit on an item not in stock seller was wrong. But I’m sure you haven’t stop to think that meant he’s got an item which is supposed to be in stock and in limbo which could have been a simple inventory error.  I’m just saying your coming across vindictive now.

I read in headphone.com forum were you said you got your money back. Is this true or not. If it’s not true why did you claim you received your money back then. If you have a bad experience with a vender, that’s understandable, however if you’ve been made whole and are still trashing this seller that’s wrong. Get your story straight. You have less credibility then a guy trying to make a living in a different country with different customs, language and different time zones your mad because it took you a week to get a refund.  Just about every store in America takes 3 to 7 days to refund money, because they don’t want to pay it twice in the event the card company cancels payment which happen a lot. As far paying a deposit on an item not in stock seller was wrong. But I’m sure you haven’t stop to think that meant he’s got an item which is supposed to be in stock and in limbo which could have been a simple inventory error.  I’m just saying your coming across vindictive now.

@ivandaterrible - not sure who you are replying to but all these mainland China dealers are liars. It's just how they have learned to do business.

China-Hifi often shows items in stock that he does not actually have and then often ignores your emails hoping you will just wait until the item is in stock.

If you guys want to deal with that then go for it.

But China-Hifi is wayyy better than Hifi-Exquis that is for sure. I would agree with that. Maybe because they are also called Tubeamplifier Store on Amazon so they have had to learn the rules Amazon forces on them.

And I do not even know what heaphone.com is so I guess maybe you were trying to reply to someone else.....who cares - f*ck China.

as far as amps go, i have never seen or heard of a chinese made amp that couldnt handle bass. they use inferior construction techniques in their transformers, impure metals used throughout and as such the cores become saturated quite quickly. if you're buying an amp, never buy chinese made.

I think it is unwarranted to trash all of Chinese made hifi goods. There are quality companies that treat you well, have responsive customer service and deliver a quality product. An example would be Linsoul which sells quality IEMs. Another is Vinshine Audio. While they are in Singapore, they sell the Chinese made Denafrips products. I have two of them and they are outstanding. More recently I bought the Steve Guttenberg recommended Boyuurange A50 Mk3 integrated 300B tube rectified tube amp. This thing is fanatastic. A revelation. I bought it on Amazon. I think everyone would be much happier and safer if they bought all their big ticket Chinese made hifi on Amazon with a credit card for protection, exceptions for the above mentioned companies and products not withstanding.

@kingbarbuda:

I have the Aries II and Pontus. Both excellent. And yes there are some excellent Chinese companies. And Vinshine is an example of a very good dealer.

I am trashing mainland China dealers. I have dealt with China Hifi a few times before and he was actually ok...not great but ok previous times. He did sell things not in stock and then hope I would just wait many weeks for it but the last time his customer service was terrible.

But Hifi-Exquis are absolute liars and terrible to deal with. No insurance on 100 lb package, single boxed, jerking me around to make it my responsibility to fix....that is a whole other story - avoid them at all costs.

In general that is my point - China dealers (not manufacturers) cannot be trusted. And after COVID I guess I have gone from loving my fellow man to having a hate for Chinese government (not the people) so maybe this is venting a bit too....

And everyone who thinks it was dumb to buy from China - get off your high horse and stop shopping at Walmart and Amazon then. They have singlehandedly destroyed western manufacturing and are the two great evils of western society.

@calieng

 

And everyone who thinks it was dumb to buy from China - get off your high horse and stop shopping at Walmart and Amazon then. They have singlehandedly destroyed western manufacturing and are the two great evils of western society.

I agree 100%. There is a problem. Covid helped them consolidate their foothold and many businesses have gone under while they stayed in business. Now our choices are very limited, especially in the flyover country. I wonder how many have recently awakened to the truth you shared? 
But on another note, its somewhat misleading when you have little or no choice to call out people who have no choice.  Washers, Refrigerators, etc. What American company even make appliances? None of them. TV? Electronics in general? No One. Tube Amplifiers? CJ, Atmasphere, cary, ARC, Rogue, etc all make them right here. They aree forced to comply with certain standards which CPP doesn't comply.  We have been sold out to the highest bidder which is China CPP 

@robert1234Whaat were shipping charges from China Hifi to the US. I need a pair of Shuguang KT88 and the only place I can find them is in China. Their shipping calculator says $75 to ship which brings the total cost up to where I could buy a quad of other  tubes including Gold Lions. Maybe I should email the owner/operator? 

If it says China, walk away.

I bought another muzishare amp from china-hifi-audio without any issue. I also got muzishare x7 before from them last year during bad pandemic times.  Got muzishare x9 today delivered by dhl express to my door. I paid china-hifi-audio on april 8 with PayPal friends not even biz service so no money guarantee i believe so i saved and they saved some as well Shipping was over $400s for 34kg box. DHL text  me on Monday about the shipment. They delivered on Friday morning on fifth day after first notification. I am hoping some closed minded human species  on this forum may realize what they are missing out on. :) 

Thanks, this is helpful. I ordered a Willsenton R8 after reading reviews and watching YouTube reviews. Given the price point and quality seemed like a good ROI, save some money as opposed to buying a Canyin, Raven Audio, or Primaluna. It was not in stock on Amazon, that’d would’ve been my preferred choice. I decided to order from China-Hi-Fi website, the product description does state the price has increased and thanks Jay Lee and Thomas Tan for their reviews (which I saw on YouTube). I decided to purchase the unit with KT-88 tubes and stock tubes. I decide to purchase the R8 that day since It was listed that on 4/22 there were 2 units is stock and shipping from 5/1-5/31 or later. Shipping price  at $372 seems steep but its supposed to ship via DHL or FedEx and arrive in 7 days so all and all is still cheaper that purchasing another model. An email would advice me on the actual shipping date.  I did contemplate adding the EL-34B tubes from the website and they replied within 24 hours that they could do that, but decided to buy some RCA tubes instead. I followed up with an email to inquire when the anticipated ship date would be, have not heard back from them. Honestly, I’m not surprised if they don’t respond, my expectations on customer service are low anyway since dealing with a Chinese seller. I thought that the item was in stock but apparently notches case. After reading this post, now I’m aware that it will take longer than what their website claims. I was on the fence about ordering from China and now those concerns seem validated. Hopefully I will get an actual unit or get my money back. I will deal directly with my bank rather than PayPal if I have to go that route. Won’t buy from them again in the future.

"I followed up with an email to inquire when the anticipated ship date would be, have not heard back from them."   

Please advise how long have you been waiting for reply  as Yong Lee often replies after 2/3 days.  I just contacted him via email to make sure he replies to you.

As mentioned in my previous post, I bought many times from him with great satisfaction.
It would be better to give him the benefit of the doubt before coming to conclusions.
I will be happy to help if anybody else has issues with Yong, You can even contact me privately.

@Vitto, thank you for reaching out to Mr. Lee. I reached out regarding the shipping date on 4/29/2021. I subsequently joined their website and got an automated email welcoming me to the site on 5/2. It could be very well be that Mr. Lee and his staff may be backed up. Appreciate you reaching out to  Mr. Lee. If I hear back from the website and get further information I will reflect that on a follow up post. I just would like a ballpark figure when gear will arrive and hope to get the amp. There’s hesitancy when making purchases abroad and given the different experiences depicted in the posts here, that creates some angst as a buyer. Communication is key and hearing back from seller, would be reassuring. Thanks, Will.

That is his business model. Sell items he does not even have in stock and then make you wait and ignore emails. Then his buddies have to come on here and do damage control for him.

This is not a rare occurrence. It is how it normally goes. You are the exception if you actually get your item sent promptly.

for Calieng, 
by the way my name is Vittorio Martini Donati from Italy and I am just one of his clients and not one of his  "buddies have to come on here and do damage control for him."
I only volunteered my assistance out of good will as I genuinely like the guy.
As I mentioned before, sometimes he is late replying but has been very reliable over the period one one year, 3 purchases and warranty support and replacement.

OK. Your information is good to have too. Now people considering a purchase have the full picture.

You can buy from him thru Amazon in USA as TubeAmplifierStore and likely much safer and quicker. I would recommend that method instead of buying direct from his website.

@calieng +1

A quick update, Vittorio did reach out to me and Mr. Lee. I did hear from Mr. Lee, apologized for delayed response and did provide a shipping update for the unit. I appreciate that he’s able to communicate in English. The R8 is in high demand. Actually, as well spoke to Vittorio happens to be a nice guy and true to his word. Dealing with sellers outside of the the US is different but if they happen to be professional and deliver on the sales of goods, I will consider purchasing from them again. Buying experiences vary… hope that mine will end up being positive.