The consumer grade stereo equipment that is coming from China now, is
****. About the only name worth buying is PIONEER. And that make has
DEGRADED much since it was first made in Japan. Yes, the Japanese can
make the BEST electronics, equal to any the Germans or USA can make-
but they only make it for THEMSELVES. The stuff their companies export
anymore, is SECOND CLASS to the stuff they make for their own home high
end market. The Japanese make fine tube amps, and even reintroduced
the 8-track cartridge in a limited degree to audiophiles there. But
not here.

The lineup of stereos at your local "Circuit City" looks mighty nice
and is cheap enough- most are under $200- but pick one up and look
what's inside- CHEAP, ****TY IC power circuits that will BLOW OUT with
sustained high volume playback. I bought a complete Technics system
back in '86 and had to replace the main power amp IC 2 times so far.

The vintage tube and transistor units from 1950-70's era, and a few
from the 80's, are a far superior VALUE compared to what's available
new now.