The original argument was about buying products made in China. My point was that assembly could be done in the USA. I can't speak for all of the components, but it was my understanding that at least some of the key parts for the 978 were from Japan (which was part of the reason for the delay). I would be willing to bet that between the USA, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan almost all of the component parts could be acquired without resorting to Chinese suppliers. The biggest unknown is probably the software. I have to believe the Outlaw got a huge deal there.

I for one will wait until the 978 is out a few years and then reserve one if it is as good as advertised. Regardless of where it is constructed, if the quality control doesn't support the design then it will not succeed.

I understand your point about all the components will never be made in the USA. However, a company can buy parts from competent suppliers, but build the darn thing in the states.

I also agree that the big box store is not the best bang for the buck. And you may not think buying domestic products are the best bang for the buck, and not worth any extra expense. I prefer to support domestic suppliers whenever possible.

Change of topic: I was in Home Depot today and found light bulbs made in Poland. It is a global economy if you can build light bulbs in Poland and ship them to the states cheaper than you can build them here. Light bulbs are pretty light by volume. Maybe it is because they were incandescent and Congress is outlawing incandescent bulbs and we have to get them from Poland now.

Another regulation that is changing the way our economy functions. Even though it seems inconsequential, apply the process across everything we consume and the effect becomes incomprehensibly large. I own a lot of quality equipment from the 70s that was built in the USA and is still functioning perfectly. When I bought it the trend towards Japanese stuff was in full swing and gradually their equipment became the mainstream as I could not afford Macintosh, or Phase Linear anymore. I still enjoy music and now HT which means I buy what is available at a cost I am able to justify. I agree that a company CAN buy components and assemble a piece of gear here in the states, but the cost always seems to be jacked up partly, I am sure, because they can say it was built in the states and partly because of extra costs involved. Being a BBFTB kinda guy, I don't see paying a premium to allow a manufacturer to take advantage of my pride in America.

XenonMan, let's agree to disagree on this subject. I am sure I am in the minority.

Jacket_Fan: I hope not. And I just wish I could find LED lights that weren't made in China.

An interesting article about offshoring. Kind of detailed if you can slog through it. The gist is: it isn't as profitable as you think to offshore manufacturing.

http://www.manufacturing.net/articles/2012/01/miscalculations-in-moving-production-overseas?et_cid=2426427&et_rid=54689337&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.manufacturing.net%2farticles%2f2012%2f01%2fmiscalculations-in-moving-production-overseas

Interesting article but I suspect that the scale that the author has experience with is wholly out of the league of an audio products firm doing business today.

I suspect that very low volume product (under 1000 units / yr) will never make sense to send over seas, as the risk is just too great.

Further I suspect that firms that have shifted VERY high volume manufacturing to multiple overseas facilities likely have learned the hard way that overhead costs virtually force them into consolidation in the lowest cost country regardless of how badly that hurts return rate and similar quality metrics. That seems the main point of the linked article.

My guess is that the Outlaws' target is far higher than 1000 units / year (though well below the sky high volume of the linked article) and their current efforts are needed to ensure the "return rate" is very small...

Another one:

http://www.manufacturing.net/articles/2012/01/will-re-shoring-take-off-in-2012?et_cid=2427218&et_rid=54689337&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.manufacturing.net%2farticles%2f2012%2f01%2fwill-re-shoring-take-off-in-2012

Kevin, a positive note. Listen up Outlaws, there may be a case for some domestic manufacturing, and you guys are just the ones to lead the way.