I am in the process of rebuilding my 30-year-old (musical fidelity, sonus faber) system. Part of my equation is to avoid made in China, or any other country with poor human rights. It’s a principle.
There is still plenty of fab hi-fi made in the UK, and perhaps other, more enlightened countries. If companies don’t boast where they manufacture, then it’s probably not what you want to hear!
Not entirely sure what “ear training” is, but I think that in the context of audio hi-fi, my advice would be to take time to listen. Really listen to the music.