HOW MUCH DO NON-AUDIO FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR AUDIO PURCHASES?

Regarding non audio factors. Question: is the “nothing made in China” policy based on quality for most people? Or ideological/moral? A bit of both? A lot of the stuff going on there is really bad and I am seriously considering a Chinese DAC. the first made in China piece of gear I have considered. But I also want to sleep at night. It brings up some serious reconsideration for me. I am sure I have plenty of non audio items made in China in my home. So does one go all in and change the entire lineup of all items purchased or limit to high dollar items like audio gear? Is it even possible to eliminate Chinese made items from your entire life? Lots of audio tubes are made in China. Maybe even parts like sockets and wire or knobs. Switches. How do you know if every little piece is domestic or non Chinese? Do you control what you can control or do you go obsessive? Should I buy the Denafrips Venus or not?!!

edit: I have oppo gear. Chinese. Didn’t even realize...

I would prefer to avoid goods from the PRC, but actually doing that is very difficult if not impossible.  So I don't fret over it.  What a handful of audiophiles do probably won't make a difference, anyway.  Plus, the old saying about cutting one's nose off to spite their face comes to mind.  So, I think every individual has to determine for themselves the degree to which they want to pursue a boycott...if at all.  I don't make judgements yay or nay over it.

It’s crazy. I’ve been thinking about it and I have SO MUCH made in China stuff. I use Apple products. My monitors. My surge protectors all kinds of other small appliances. Not to mention probably a lot clothes and gear related to that. I will have to think about that DAC. 

Aesthetics is huge for me.  Especially for speakers since they are in effect a new piece of furniture introduced in to my living/listening room.I absolutely love a high quality speaker finish, especially wood (love my Thiel 2.7 and my Joseph Audio Perspectives).   Certainly sound quality is first on the list, but I wouldn't buy speakers I find ugly.   Life's too short to spend it looking at ugly or cheap looking speakers.   Fortunately some of my favorite sounding speakers are also my favorite aesthetically.(Again, like the speakers I just mentioned, but I also love the sound and looks of the Devore O speakers).


Aesthetics are big with turntables, and as I interact daily with my Transrotor turntable the sheer quality and luxury is really satisfying.


I like tube amps, and also the aesthetics of tube amps over SS, so that has worked out well (I use CJ amplification).


Over the years I've honed my purchases to reliable brands, not flash in the pans that impress momentarily and then are hard to sell.

A rather enjoyable look into what matters most to us. I have been very pragmatic over the years looking for value and sound quality over brand names. If I felt something was truly ugly I might hesitate if it needed to generally be in view.

I loved the sound of my first good speakers, Martin Logan SL3s and despite the size they looked clean and amazed all who listened. And the esthetics of the Dynaudio Sapphires in the Bordeaux finish were visually stunning but I only bought them because of the superb full range sound. And although I'd have bought 'first available' (gloss black or walnut burl) I admit to being thrilled to get the D2 (current/final?) speakers in the beautiful burl veneer.

Although I listen without vision a lot, the speakers are an integral part of the primary living area and looking beautiful helps. I'm not concerned about Chinese manufacturing. Show them the product design and quality level needed; they can do it. I also mix gear with no concerns. I'm looking for system synergy and not positive using the same brand automatically provides it. (No thank you on McIntosh speakers....ugh.)(JA Perspectives are awesome speakers in my book, prof.)