Quote Originally Posted by RGA
I lived in China for a year and they copy everything they think they can sell. There are no laws - well there may be laws bit no one pays attention.

I went to an outdoor market and they have copies of DVD movies for sale for 10 yuan which is about $2 - you can talk them down to $1 a disc. Copying DVD's is illegal as you know. But I picked up a season of Dexter for $2 - the complete BattleStar Galactica series for $5, Complete Frasier series for $10 and movies that were sent to film critics before they ever reached movie theaters for $1.

And this with a policeman standing not 15 feet from the booths. Now apparently Americans who buy these and go back to the States could get in serious troubles with the authorities - so it's lucky to be Canadian where no such law exists.

This applies to stereo equipment and cars - it's rampant. There is the Hi-Phone which is a dirt cheap copy of the Iphone - so popular was the face Hi-Phone that other companies started to copy the copy - which I found very amusing.

There are fake Nike's, North Face, and Gucci's galore - I bought a Gucci wallet for $5 and it's real leather and looks exactly the same as the real one. A fellow travellor bought 15 North Face Jackets for $10 a piece to give away to friends when he got back. They're not quite as nice - but they look exactly the same.

The issue of the DAC chip to me is something GF should not have bothered discussing. It makes something that could be interpreted several ways. I just don't know why Ian bothered putting it on the site without a clearer explanation. I think it suggests that they don't want copy cats to be able to copy the specific DAC chip being used. Perhaps that was to separate it from the clones out there. But really how do you know the clones are not usuing the same chips - the clones are also made in the same factory is my understanding - made by a company with a non friendly for north Americans to pronounce.

Rachel of Grant Fidelity addressed the issue as follows - Note English isn't her first language

"I would like to contribute some facts on the various version of the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-09 and some discussion raised around it. Hopefully it will help confused readers to get closer to the truth rather than guessing:

1) Maverick Audio is based out of Shanghai, China and is run by an individual. Maverick DAC is designed and manufactured by Xiangsheng out of China.
2) Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-09 is also manufactured by Xiangsheng - we choose to distribute under Grant Fidelity brand as Xiangsheng is not a common English word for branding. Xiangsheng is following our quality control request in fulfill Grant Fidelity DAC orders.
3) Grant Fidelity and Xiangsheng has reached agreement to be the sole distributor of Xiangsheng DAC product in Canada and USA.
4) Maverick Audio has sold their existing stock DAC back to Xiangsheng and those stock will be re-printed for Grant Fidelity. Maverick Audio will no longer sell the DAC product to North America nor other international market after November.
5) Grant Fidelity's coming DAC shipment will have both silver and black faceplate for customers to choose from.
6) Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-09 MSRP US$390 is priced with consideration to allow audio retail stores to carry the product and allow consumers to 'touch, see and listen' to the product in-store before making a purchase
7) Before retail network is set up for the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-09, it will be on special price of $300 including free shipping in Canada and continuous USA - this will benefit internet shoppers who do not request a must-have audition before making purchase
8.) Xiangsheng has confirmed to Grant Fidelity that Pacific Valve doesn't have any Xiangsheng DAC product in stock. Xiangsheng has never sold any DAC product to Pacific Valve and will not recognize Pacific Valve's sale as authorized resale so no manufacturer warranty will be provided.
9) Many eBay sellers (out of China or Hong Kong) list a product for sale but has no stock of the product at all. Be aware of low priced eBay listings out of China or Hong Kong. When they get a sale on eBay, they will purchase one on Chinese market to fulfill the order. This practice is against eBay policy but still prevail in Asia. If the seller cannot spot a unit upon receiving a buyer's money, there is high chance that a buyer will be left without delivery for a long time. Grant Fidelity recently received a customer's email about an eBay seller with 100% positive feedback scammed him $700 on a Grant Fidelity brand tube amp (retail for $1900) but never deliver and disappeared off eBay. Be cautious when purchasing from sellers in Asia - 100% feedback doesn't mean it's a safe transaction all the time.

Grant Fidelity will continue service Canadian and USA customers with high quality products along with top level service.

If you have further questions on the Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-09, please feel free to contact us through http://www.grantfidelity.com or call us at our toll free number. We will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have related to our product.

Thank you.
Rachel - Grant Fidelity
Excellent stuff RGA!!! Thanks so much for this post, really clears up everyhting I was wondering. Man, doing business with the Chinese sure is a colorful affair. The whole Ebay thing has me a little freaked out. The particular seller I am looking at claims to have a stock of them. Maybe I'll spring for the extra cash. What do you think??