I haven't read the entire article but boy, what an eye opener. There's positive and negative coverage on Chinese manufacturing. Here's a brief glimpse of the not so good....
"Many of the branded parts commonly used in Chinese-made audio products are counterfeit. For example, it is estimated that there are more bogus Neutrik connectors than authentic ones in Chinese-made products. Tubes are frequently relabeled by removing the original silk-screen and applying a new brand name."
"...the factories he dealt with could try to substitute the specified parts with cheaper (or counterfeit) parts and pocket the cost difference.... After catching a factory trying to substitute counterfeit Solen capacitors..."
"The Chinese factory didn't understand the level of fit 'n' finish and quality U.S. consumers demanded, or the need to use the specified parts. After several trips to try to get the factory up to speed, the designer simply gave up...."
"Western firms also face the possibility that the factory will secretly increase the size of the production run and sell the finished products - complete with the Western company's brand name on th faceplate - out the back door."
