Classe move to China

Whether or not quality suffers will depend, in large part, on the amount of "hands on" quality control Classe exercises. For myself, my view has been that there is enough quality audio equipment being made in the U.S., Canada and Europe that I consciously try to avoid purchasing equipment made in Asia -- but that isn't always practicable. And as the market for audio equipment in Asia continues to grow, it is likely to not make any appreciable difference in Classe's overall global sales -- it may even increase them.

One of the reasons that I did not upgrade my CA-2200 to the CA 2300. It seems that the main production and a majority of the assembly will now be done in China.....the final assembly and final testing will still be done in Quebec....also Classe will be letting go some of their employees as a result of this move - which is another point that angers me about business here in the US that they should taxed at a higher coporate rate for doing just that. Another time and forum....the box and product will now need to read - Made in China. Classe has defended this move by saying that quality of the product has not changed - and if everything was still done in Quebec that the cost of the their products would be greatly increased and would / could make them un-competitive in the market that they are trying to grow in. Also, this includes some of the higher end B&W speakers will be made their as well. My CA 2200 amp and CA CP 700 pre-amp both say that they are made in Quebec Canada. Doubt I will be upgarding in the Classe line when I do decide to make a change.

As things currently stand, it devalues the brand in my mind. Over time that might change, but that will take some real time to happen.