HEGEL - Is it really made in Norway ?

I believe this thread to be about business ethics. It's just some Hegel owners couldn't accept the fact they got duped. Instead of seeing this as a logical conversation, some view it as a personal attack on their system which isn't.

Wow, never expected this thread to be so polarizing!

I see that Hegel is still putting Norway on the rear of their new products -- proud of their heritage -- while not bothering to let their customers know the truth ... that they are in fact not made in Norway but in China. After it became clear years ago that Hegel was deliberately misinforming their customers, IMO they are foolish to continue this practice, in effect doubling down on the issue. 

I referred in an earlier thread to a possible Hegel design flaw. I still believe this is the case after reviewing all the details including their bizarre and emotional reaction. Highly unprofessional. It has been years but they never came clean -- and I do not expect them to come clean anytime soon. After talking to top people in the company for many hours it sounds to me like they may have a corporate character flaw.

Regarding high end audio companies that stand behind their products with integrity and exemplary customer service, I can highly recommend Atma-Sphere, Audio Horizons, Raidho, Shunyata, Synergistic Research and PS Audio, among others. Since Hegel is capable of walking away from their products, when push comes to shove, I do not recommend doing business with this company.

Does it just say "Norway" on it or does it say "Hecho en Norway"??

I bought a Hegel HD-12 DAC used about six months ago. Simply says "Hegel, Oslo, Norway" on the rear panel. No "Made in ..." marking anywhere on the unit, the box, nor the owner’s manual.

I did not know of the China thing when I bought it, but it has been completely problem free and sounds fantastic streaming Tidal from my laptop via USB. Appears to be a high-quality product to me in both construction and sonics.

For the record, the rest of my gear, including cabling (Synergistic Research), is made in the USA (Ayre, VPI, Krell) or Canada (Classe' Audio) excepting my Sony CDP, which was modified by ModWright, so "pseudo-USA" and my Transfiguration Orpheus L LOMC, made in Japan.

This Hegel DAC is well-made, versatile, and sounds ridiculously good for what I paid for it (does any other DAC sound better under <$1k?), so it stays in play for now, regardless of country of manufacture.

Dave