My next preamp: Cary SPL-90 CLONE

[RepublicOfTexas69]

Actually China, is, the leader in robotics, especially industrial and humanoid. They recently held a competition their humanoid robots broke actual human records in track.

U.S. still has an edge in AI,software and autonomy

China was reported to have nearly 300,000 industrial robots as of 2024, that's an army.

My mind was blown an actual robot that can run 100 meters faster than a human. Can Terminator be far off? No matter the country most any invention the military is looking to see if it can be a weapon.

If you say so. My Robotics team begs to differ.

 

[Kingrex]

Actually China, is, the leader in robotics, especially industrial and humanoid. They recently held a competition their humanoid robots broke actual human records in track.

U.S. still has an edge in AI,software and autonomy

China was reported to have nearly 300,000 industrial robots as of 2024, that's an army.

My mind was blown an actual robot that can run 100 meters faster than a human. Can Terminator be far off? No matter the country most any invention the military is looking to see if it can be a weapon.

Your exactly right. Its an army. ] i find it laughable the news presents it like it 's some sort of miracle. It will be an atrocity on a global scale.

 

[Kramer64]

I'm looking at buying a set of Headphones and was considering Hifiman-for some reason I thought they were made in Taiwan-I don't much keep up with the headphone market. They are, of course, made in mainland China, so they are off my list. Which is a shame because they really are very good and sell like hotcakes. No judgment on folks who go that route-its not my business-but I'd rather not. I agree, however, with an earlier comment that the Chinese can make products at about whatever quality and price point they choose and, one way or another, seem to be getting better at it all the time. Which is why, I suppose, lots of brands choose to design at home and manufacture in China. Obviously, they've made a business calculation that the "Made in China" label doesn't carry enough liabilities to offset the economic advantages. I don't particularly like that, but I do understand it.

 

[Kingrex]

Hi Kingrex. Absent marketing to attract interest and sales, how do you explain and / or condone a Chinese clone using a well known hi end manufacturer's name, model number and brand reputation? Other than the Chinese clones, are you aware of any other examples that employ this marketing strategy? I think I know the answer but want your perspective. Best.

I try not to be the moral police. I usually go with what is legal. I purchase what I believe supports my values.

Don't patents last 7 years???? What's the last pharmaceutical you bought. I don't think I can even get brand name stuff through my insurance. Its all generic. And probably made in China. literally. Watch 60 minutes. Do we complain about that. Or do we say, no. I want the $30K medicine. Not the $70 generic stuff.

Would it be better if they said, ( Modeled after the Dartzeel 108 Amplifier). Or maybe, (Voicing like a Cary SLY80. Using premium capacitors, resistors and custom output transformers to surpass stock performance for a fraction of the price).

I recognize China is capable of mass producing anything. And it generally does it at the expense of human dignity. More people suffer a lack of hope and change in China than anywhere else. And yet Americans can't get enough of their new Apple this or that. Remember Nike in the 80s. Did the bad press impact them??? I don't buy Nike because of it.

The plight of the people of China is real. But if you dig down, the boutique audio builder in China is really the outlier. The independent entrepreneur doing all they can to rise above the decay below. If you Knock them down and hold them to the politics of moral righteousness. Ensure they work in my friends factory with the doors locked and no hope for a better life. Did you benefit Cary. Or Dartzeel. Of did you just impact a poor persons life in a more negative way. The audiophile buying the Dartzeel for $5K would never buy the real Dartzeel for $42,000. The shocking part is. They may be getting something that in a blind test, may be indistinguishable from the real thing. That should be what people are upset about. Why is audio equipment so darn expensive. And has the performance needle moved as prices escalate. Or have we bought into some contrived believe that $$$$ equal better sound.

 

[ggdudeabides]

Thanks Rex for your POV. You make some valid points. However, you paint this issue with a very broad brush. Way too broad in my view. There are many things today that are "legal" but morally despicable and reprehensible nonetheless. Selling a product and using the exact model number and original manufacturer's name (with a solid reputation) to generate interest and product sales is morally wrong. It is theft irregardless of a design patent expiration. But it is "legal".

Cary is a small, boutique company that doesn't charge outrageous prices. And seems to be good value for the money. Had their 306 Pro CD player. Incredible sound for the price. Beat the comparable Esoteric (a really big audio corporation) for half the price. THAT, for me, is the difference IN THIS CASE. Pure and simple. Best.