HEGEL - Is it really made in Norway ?

My initial point was not to suggest China-built or assembled gear is not good stuff, I owned many units in the past from Cayin, Shanling, and currentle am enjoying my Oppo 105 very much.

It is about 2 things mainly:

A) That there are are always folks for which country or manufacture is associated with high-end and branding, and with high prices. And this equal with and in some cases even more important than performance, and some won't admit this fact.

B) That Hegel, Ayon and maybe a few others realize this very well, and somehow conciously hide the "made in China" part. Why else would the name "Norway" (for Hegel) and "Austria" appear in large letters on the back of the units?

Companies such as Oppo (great product) are pretty smart in exploiting the country of design (USA) and the country of manufacture bring different. And when you open the box, at least you had the full infos before purchase.

So this is not about bashing countries, it is about being upfront with your customer. And yes, one can feel real pride of ownership with a product made in China. I remember my Shanling T-100, It was a beauty.

But you will never sell a Vuton handbag that would be made in China even if it could be better made, to a lady who can afford the real thing.

A certain part of the high-end audio market is exactly the same.

Gentlemen, if you audition a amp and you like the sound, build, and you like the price, and country of origin is not important, it's ok.

But if part of your creteria include other factors that are more intangibles, that's ok too.

Bryston, Classe and Simaudio (this particular brand I happen to dislike) all use their country of origin ( or North American origin) to win customers over. Same with some U.K brands - Rega, Naim.

I am not saying that China-made gear is not good, this would be a different debate.

But for audio, the truth is that there is an economic consequence of offering a product labeled made in china or not.

Sometimes the very nature of the product carries it's own place in customers minds.

Just one of many examples, have a look at let's say, a Fender Telecaster guitar.

You have a choice:

Made in USA $$$
Made in mexico $$
Made in China (ir Taiwan) $

Now, you may just find that the Chinese one suits you just fine, plays great and sounds fine, and that would be the best guitar for you and a great purchase.

BUT, there is absolute disclosure from Fender about where that Tele is made - and the price reflects this.

It's just a question of knowing what to buy, without the manufacturing trying to beat around the bush on important info. And for some product origin is important.

Look at Sonus Faber. I'm sure some folks still would prefer having the "handmade in Italy" metal tag on the back on their entry-line products. No longer the case.

Let's respect the folks for which this kind of thing is important. Live and let live!

Oh really? You seem a little too sensitive about that, seems I've hit a sore spot despite my "lack of character."

I'm out, enjoy "you're" echo chamber.

Vez,

I agree. Hegel should be making this clear. Instead they choose to hide the simple fact of where their products are made.

The phrase was "xenophobia/subtle racism". I would substitute bigotry for racism. A dictionary definition of xenophobia goes along the lines of fear or hatred of foreigners which qualifies as bigotry. And yes, I do think there is a stench of xenophobia in this thread.

If you're surprised that Hegel is not manufactured in Norway, then you didn't do your research. You have nobody to blame but yourself. That said, Hegel should proudly proclaim designed in Norway/made in China. Dozens of high end audio manufacturers have a similar provenance and are producing excellent quality products. Even in US built products the outsourcing of manufacturing is fairly common. The company may be headquartered in Utah or Colorado, but the component could actually be built by a company in California or Texas. Whether it's made in California or China, it's common sense that you have to thoroughly monitor the production process.