I bought a Sony 5-Disc CD changer (carousel) when they first came out (mid 80's I think). The thing was solid as a rock. I sold it last year ($50) and yes, it was still working perfectly. The ONLY reason I sold it was I wanted to upgrade to a unit that would play SACD's and DVD-A as well as an optical/dig coax output. Nearly 20 years of uninterrupted use out of ANYTHING is damned rare.
Needless to say, I wouldn't buy a Sony ANYTHING (at least knowingly) now. I've had a midrange Sony car stereo, DVD player, MD player, and VCR in the last 5 years and EVERY ONE OF THEM broke down/burned out within a year. I've learned my lesson.
As far as overall quality of items made in a specific place, I would have to partially disagree. While China is relatively inconsistant in manufacturing quality, they are certainly getting better. I don't subscribe to generalizing by Country of origin. I simply do research to the best of my ability and try to make a well informed decision. That is all we can do. May the best country win!