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Researching the CD/HDCD Players from China

I have gotten 40 plus responses regarding CD players built in China. However, the more research I've done It appears to me that most CD players and many other audio pieces are made in China or in Japan. I recall back in the early 1960's working as an audio salesman, we not only carried hi end audio equipment, but table radios and certain consoles. I would always steer customers away from anything made in Japan. That was my mindset back then and remained so for some years.

Now it appears that this is the same mindset of many audio buffs regarding anything made in China. Much of my restarch as been trying to find high quality CD players that are built well and can render classical choral and orchestral as well as jazz small and big bands well. In particular it must be able to give me a good presentation of the human voice in song. Plus it must be able to render an wide sound field throwing music outside of the speakers. And there must be sufficient height to the sound field as well. I am also particular about being able to pick out each jazz instrument and/or voice from within the sound field.

I have heard (for short periods)an Original 2008 Mk2, a Shenda SD100S, Doge 6, and a Bada HD23. All of these players produced a very pleasent sound. However, my primary concerned is with "LONGEVITY" and being able to improve on the sound with tube changes, upgrades, etc.

Finally, the reason I've spent time researching these and other CD/HDCD players has to do with funding. I don't have a large amount of $$$ to spend, but still want hi end sound. This may be a foolish notion, but that's what I am looking for. I understand that there are some HDCD CD's now on the market. Has anyone heard any and is the sound quality superior to the redbook CD's? By the way, the rest of my system will consist of the following:
1. Elite Rock turntable with Excalibur arm (Sumiko cart)
2. Audio Research Pre-Amp
3. Threshold S/300 power amp
4. Mirage OM-9 Omni (soon to be upgraded to Mags 1.6)
5. Various Kimber Cables
I have many classical and jazz LP's i've collected over the years especially many from Germany. I may have just as many redbook CD's. I plan to purchase HDCD's if they can present better sound than my redbooks.

Again thank you for your comments because I really need them. I hope to purchase something within the next few weeks depending on what I get in the way of your responses.
rbwinterlink
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Kijanki, the Cambridge Audio A3i is made in China according to info on this site:

If you scroll down to 1999 in the chronology, you will find this statement:

"EMF acts as a design house for other companies wanting to manufacture goods, both in the UK and abroad. One of its clients is Cambridge Audio in London. It has designed the A1, A2 and A3i amplifiers, T500 Tuner and SRC-01 System remote controller which are made in China."
jimmy2615
232 posts
 
The issue, as some have pointed out, is how well can you expect to get good service if something bad happens. Not sure. However, I know what you are saying - I have seen many ads and reviews apologizing for the product having been made in China. OTOH, things from Germany or Sweden get top billing. There is some reality and history (of course) to these paradigms and stereotypes. However, to pay a fine craftsman (worker) in Germany is a huge expense, which is reflected in prices, whether Burmester or BMW. And you can be sure to get a pretty good product, but you will pay. There are a lot of smart and talented people in China, who may be very well and reasonably laughing at our stereotypes. While I'm sure some of their products are created for quick sales based on market desires, I'd also bet there are some fine products coming from there made by those who care. Overall, I think it's time for a paradigm shift. Ultimately, for this kind of discussion it would be helpful for someone with technical credentials to weigh in on the quality of what is coming from China compared to the U.S. and Europe.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
3,575 posts
 
Tvad - I known it was made in China but forgot to mention it. I even talked to designer of this amp Alex Nikitin who works for Michael Creek. He expressed opinion that it would cost twice as much to build it in the UK. My point was that something in process of shifting production to China was lost but it could happen as well while moving production to Switzerland.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
My point was that something in process of shifting production to China was lost but it could happen as well while moving production to Switzerland.
Kijanki (Answers)

Your supposition is faulty. One cannot assume a problem that occurred as a result of producing a product in China would also apply to a product produced in Switzerland, because no evidence has been offered to support the claim.

Further, in the case of the Cambridge A3i, there was no shifting of production. It was always manufactured in China, although it was designed in England.

BTW, I did a search of this integrated, and apparently the diode problem was not uncommon.

I also cam across an interesting thread about a Cambridge Audio D-500 CD player that came with a fake torroid (a cover with no torroid underneath).
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
3,575 posts
 
Tvad - The torroid story is really interesting, but do they shield toroidal transformers? As far as I know magnetic field around torroidal transformer cancels completely as long as winding is uniform.

"Further, in the case of the Cambridge A3i, there was no shifting of production. It was always manufactured in China, although it was designed in England."

- so we cannot even compare and there is still a good chance that China has nothing to do with it and whole thing is just lack of quality control and production supervision (I had Ford - I know).
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