Thanks ! I try to stick to the "no Chinese goods" rule as much as I can.
Tain't easy.
One thing is certain, I am in no way amused at foreign interests that won't even spend a few hundred bucks to have a native English-speaker proof-read their ads. Attention to detail and the avoidance of corner-cutting is something that I value.
It is so easy for a foreign business to change names and skip support. Even if not, mailing a 50lb amp back to the factory in Asia can get very expensive and risky.
I build, rehab, and tweak tube gear when I have time and the mood strikes me.
The 4040 microprocessor is where my "formal" education in electronics ended.
I like tubes, they're warm and have a slightly toxic smell that reminds me of my youth in the shadows of New Jersey factories.
If there is no support network for your gear, be prepared to support it yourself !
Hence JoLida, ASL, and a handful of others are the safer choices when buying Chinese tube gear.
BTW, SMD's are for robots or at least steady hands and magnifying glasses.
It helps to keep one of these in the toolbox: