Warning: China-Hifi-Audio.com

I just checked again for that same amp it is $595.80 for Fedex / UPS/ DHL 3-7 day shipping to USA. It weighs 48kg. That may be the real cost. I know international shipping has gotten more expensive. Some of the other amps are $300 to ship but they weigh half as much.

I have read other posts about the owner in product reviews both good and bad. He may be a nice guy and just overworked. 

Yeah it's so much better living in a democratic society like ours, where the people's right to vote is respected, everyone gets a living wage, health care is a priority, large corporations work tirelessly for the betterment of their workers, and all businesses are reputable.

But obviously, if in the interest of saving a bundle, you decide to buy sight unseen from a dealer you don't know in a country where they speak a language you also don't know, well, you takes your chances, no? 
 (Btw, since one poster mentioned it above, yes, I've had good luck and communication with Douk Audio, even when a piece of their equipment went up in smoke well after warrantee expired.)

Thanks for letting us know but this is why it is so hard to order on the internet because you run into these types of things.

And here's a friendly warning about PayPal
I have been double billed by Netflix for a year. I contacted Netflix and they refused to acknowledge this - saying I had two subscriptions. Who has two subscriptions to Netflix? Pay Pal denied my claim.

"Try and buy a better DAC than from Matrix Audio (based in Xi'an). Best ESS DAC chip, other parts are top-of-the-line, build quality is perfect, good looking design, all the bells and whistles including balanced connections. My unit even has the ability to take I2S input!  "

Denafrips Terminator!

(I only have Pontus - not rich enough to pay extra for the Terminator).