Hi Keith, I did own an Orion integrated, original model.
I think that Ayon offers fabulous sound for the money, and if it is partly (or wholly) manufactured in China, I'm ok with that as long as I am informed before spending my hard-earned cash.
However, I think that in the upper echelons of high-end audio, the more you spend the more OTHER criteria come into play, such as looks, prestige, pride of ownership and more. And some are willing to pay for near-legendary brands that still are manufactured in their country of origin. They are becoming rare of course.
I was sorry to learn for example, that the entry-level speakers from Sonus Faber are no longer made in Italy. I happen to own a pair of Domus Grand Piano. Handmade in Italy. You know what? There are probably many speakers that sound better for the price just in the Usher line-up.
But since audio toys are expensive, and since my systen is just sitting there except when I can actually sit down and enjoy the music, I find it comforting (not to nention a visual treat) to know that my speakers were handcrafted in Italy. I think that the Domus was the last project supervised by Franco Serblin himself before he sold the company but not sure 100% about this.
Back to Ayon, the Orion remains my all-time favorite sound for a full-tube integrated. It has been replaced by a worthy successor. It has the country of origin thing covered and sounds exquisite. Not bad in the looks department either - Pathos Logos, another Italian beauty.
I think that Ayon offers fabulous sound for the money, and if it is partly (or wholly) manufactured in China, I'm ok with that as long as I am informed before spending my hard-earned cash.
However, I think that in the upper echelons of high-end audio, the more you spend the more OTHER criteria come into play, such as looks, prestige, pride of ownership and more. And some are willing to pay for near-legendary brands that still are manufactured in their country of origin. They are becoming rare of course.
I was sorry to learn for example, that the entry-level speakers from Sonus Faber are no longer made in Italy. I happen to own a pair of Domus Grand Piano. Handmade in Italy. You know what? There are probably many speakers that sound better for the price just in the Usher line-up.
But since audio toys are expensive, and since my systen is just sitting there except when I can actually sit down and enjoy the music, I find it comforting (not to nention a visual treat) to know that my speakers were handcrafted in Italy. I think that the Domus was the last project supervised by Franco Serblin himself before he sold the company but not sure 100% about this.
Back to Ayon, the Orion remains my all-time favorite sound for a full-tube integrated. It has been replaced by a worthy successor. It has the country of origin thing covered and sounds exquisite. Not bad in the looks department either - Pathos Logos, another Italian beauty.