Chinese DAC's

I’m one of @audioman58 very happy Denafrips DAC customers purchased in the past 60 days, a Venus 15th.  If I look at my HiFi components they are from the US, Italy, China (Denafrips and Arendal) Although Arendal is a direct to consumer Norwegian brand. The only way to compete is to be smarter, more innovative and creative and maximize what each manufacturing location offers ( the WiiM Ultra is a classic case of this) and artificial barriers only diminish us all. 

I followed the advice of an audio buddy on AudioKarma.org, and got an SMSL C-100 (basically the SU-1 w/remote).  I had a MUSES02 opamp installed in place of the OPA-1612, and added a linear regulated power supply.  It has vastly improved separation and depth, and loses the digital glare.  Cost was < $250 all in.

I had a french NOS dac  and a low cost chinese one Hidz pro 80...

Each has his synergy with one or the other of my 2 system...

 Synergy of the dac with amp and pre-amp  beat the country of design and even price  as decisive factors in my experience ....Especially in low cost system gear as mine...

I learned long ago when I could still hear well that electronics account for a small part of one’s sound compared to transducers and room acoustics. But like most of us I like nice things, so I have gone through many amps, preamps, CD players, etc. 

DACs seem like a problem solved. My SMSL DO200Pro ($400) does me fine.  Even with tariffs it will still be a bargain. 

Wise post!

I dont need to write anything more...

I learned long ago when I could still hear well that electronics account for a small part of one’s sound compared to transducers and room acoustics. But like most of us I like nice things, so I have gone through many amps, preamps, CD players, etc. 

DACs seem like a problem solved. My SMSL DO200Pro ($400) does me fine.  Even with tariffs it will still be a bargain.