In fairness, there is some very good stuff to be bought through non-traditional distribution channels. I waited months for a custom built DAC from Malaysia. It was a beautifully built
Promitheus unit, and it's what I wanted. Direct BTO and shipment from Malaysia. If anything went wrong with it
.wouldn't want to be there, but what I got was so good, that I would consider it again. Lots of decent stuff sold out of Hong Kong from reliable reputable dealers. Over on Head-Fil, some of this stuff out of Hong Kong is very popular, even with the acknowledged failure/repair risk.