HEGEL - Is it really made in Norway ?

Zd542,

You're welcome. You stated, "... and I would feel more comfortable buying from a company that doesn't hide from the fact [of where their products are made]." I feel the same way.

Aolmrd1241: Yes, the Venere line from Sonus Faber, I know all about their products.

I just sold my Domus Grand Piano to a nice guy who was eyeing the entry level Venere brand new - had been wanting to purchase a Sonus speaker for years...it was a no-brainer purchase for him...

To those who misunderstood,

This forum isn't about products made in China or any kind of racism. This is about companies like Hegel and Ayon trying to be deceptive about where their product are being assembled. Clearly there is an intent to mislead by labelling Norway or Austria with out adding where it is actually made.

Example of Good chinese company like Line Magnetic or USA company like Oppo are honest about the fact that it is properly labeled made in China. Obviously the op isn't complaining about Chinese production.

And yes, I do own some some Chinese made components like Oppo, Martin Logan, Mac Mini (music server). I have no complaints. =)

Totally agree with s1mn3r:

And to the person who says that the buyer must do his own research, I agree also - but to a certain limit.

Not everyone is as hard-core about their audio, and the simple labeling of "Norway" or "Austria" may be just enough to leading the less-hard-core purchasing into thinking the gear is an actual made-in-Europe product, but wrongly so.

Again, this whole thing is about being manufacturers being upfront with full disclosure to their customers.

I for one am a previous Ayon Orion integrated amp owner and it was one of the very best-sounding amps I ever had in my system.

I did go through 3 sets of remotes ($ 140.00 a pop), but this is nothing compared to being misled this was not a "made in Austria" product. Purely subjective of course.

Look at the back of the Sonus Faber 3.0 speaker. It clearly says "Designed by Sonus Faber in Italy. Made in China.

Build is ravishing, nothing wrong with it. And you know what you are buying. I consider this minimum requirement for those expensive toys, not playing something you are not.

And this separates the long-standing class act companies from the flavor of the months wannabees.

Add Classe Audio to the list of gear that is made in China and has no mention that it is not made in Canada anymore. They still have the balls to charge premium prices!