"Chi-Fi"?!? I wonder if that term will stick. I like it.

I'm sure that you're aware that there are endless hifi electronics clones, in China.
Of course, most of them are clones, made using 'clone' parts. I think that the fact we're using the term clone, rather than copy (or fake), has some importance; a clone is something that is made to do a similar job of the original, which includes its quality. The Chinese word is 'shan zhai'. I don't think that this should be confused with 'fake'. It's not the same thing. It seems that most clone items do a similar job to the original, to a comparable standard.

Accurate Audio seem to have taken this to the extreme; their gear even looks like the original. Indeed, when I was looking for an amp, to begin with I got them confused with the original. But all reports show that they are as good as they look. Although, in the end, I went with the Gustard H10, Violectric clone; it doesn't look anything like the original, but perhaps is an improvement over the original design.

All of this leaves me with mixed emotions:

If the Chinese companies are producing a comparable product, for 1/2 or even 1/3 the price, should I be happy to pay the original company twice as much, to cover their higher overheads and for designing the product in the first place?
Maybe a few years ago, this would be a moot point; Chinese goods were all 'known' to be totally inferior. But that's just not the case any more. Their reputation, largely helped by the bargain prices, is really improving. And besides, too many western companies have a history of profiteering; I'm fed up with paying artificially high prices, that feed the big fat cats, just to keep the shareholders happy!

But the issue is what happens in the long term? Even with just domestic sales, Chinese companies (enabled by the lack of any copyright law enforcement (unless it's in a Chinese company's favour)) are now becoming so rich and powerful, that they're able to purchase the original western manufacturer, outright. So, then they become even completely legit; they 'have their cake and eat it'! This has already begun to happen (ref: Segway and Ninebot)!

I'll continue enjoying listening to the Gustard, my second clone amp, whilst I ponder this. But I can't help thinking that the western companies (and countries) need to get a bit smarter!

I have a small clone army.  Krell KSA-5 china clone and Goldmund Mimesis 29 speaker amp clone.  Both are super nice and have been great.  The speaker amp power led flickers but otherwise both have been flawless so far.. only had them a few months though.  But I'd proudly display these in a high end audio setup, they're that well built with nice enough cases(also sound great).  Both original designs are super old so I don't feel too bad about it

http://i.imgur.com/i5HOZvs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QRRciZe.jpg

I, mostly, agree with the last few posts; I particularly like the reinstating old designs that some Chinese companies are doing; I'd like to check out a Krell ksa5 clone too (I have some questions about this....for another time)!!!

One slight disagreement: I think that Schiit is an example of a western company that is doing it right!

Take for example Chinese companies like Auralic,  Audio-Gd, Hifiman, FiiO and iBasso. These companies now have really good following and reputation. In fact most of them have their own r&d and don't have to clone/wholesale copy other designs

Take for example Chinese companies like Auralic,  Audio-Gd, Hifiman, FiiO and iBasso. These companies now have really good following and reputation. In fact most of them have their own r&d and don't have to clone/wholesale copy other designs

Indeed. I guess that these are examples on Chinese companies who don't (currently) make clones. So, maybe they're not the same as Accurate.