I wish I could share your optimism. Unfortunately with SOME Chinese clones, they do not have the depth of experience needed. They are getting there. I remember exchanging information with a bright young Chinese engineer selling small boards with a couple of mistakes even I could find. Not because I am some great PhD, I am not, but I have been around a long time. I believe most of them are gaining that experience and over time, the design quality will improve. 5 or 10 years of experience is not like 30 or 40 especially when they can't ask the old guys yet.
Do remember how fragmented industry is. A marketing firm may say " I want a DAC with these advertising features"
Then some engineer designs, adapts or flat out steals a design.
That goes to an applications company who does the layout, packaging and detail design
Then off to various FAB companies Metal, boards etc. Most using subs.
Finally to an assembler and packager.
The marketing firm may not know anything about electronic circuits. They know the logistics of the pipe. Most design engineers do not know the logistic pipe.
Only larger older companies, maybe SMSL and Topping, have the wherewithal to do more of these steps in-house and I expect to have better oversite to the entire pipe. Some small companies, Schiit, JDS, Emotiva and many others DO have the full pipe, but you will find they have a team of very experienced folks from the industry. I mean really old guys who have been there before several times. That depth does not exist yet in China. It will. I am not saying that to support them, but to warn everyone else.
To your "to market" question. One of my degrees is in business so I know better. I DIY and buy.