I don't see any bashing of the instrument going on. If the HP/Agilent E3631 pre-dates Array and is manufactured in a different country, then the Array design can only be a knock-off. The quality of this clone may vary from crappy to decent, but it's still a copy. Just like the Hakko soldering station knock-offs of varying quality that are available.
It may or may not perform better than the other Chinese low to mid-end power supply manufacturers like Rigol or Atten, but don't kid yourself thinking you bought an Agilent product.
Right. I don't think there's any self-kidding going on. The Array PS is not an Agilent product. As noted earlier, I said that as a hobbyist, I can live with support that is not up to Agilent's gold standard. If my livelihood depended on the supply, I would look to the Agilent.
That out of the way, the underlying issue is whether or not the Array is: (1) anywhere equal to the E3631A in terms of product quality; and (2) is Array involved in any way with the manufacture of recent E3631A supplies? I was told by a manufacturer's rep that Array was building newer E3631As. In my line of business, I live or die by the evidence. Based on my limited research, I do not know as a conclusive fact whether all, or some portion of the newer E3631As are manufactured by Array in Taiwan -- and not Agilent in Malaysia. I am certain we can find an Agilent rep who would refute any claim that recent E3631As are manufactured with outside assistance.
Again, put the two supplies side-by-side and compare everything from electronic components, circuit trace layout, machine screws, wiring and grounding practices as well as fit and finish. Array is not Agilent and vice-versa. For sure, Array is leveraging a portion of the model number to their advantage -- and this appears to be upsetting many people. If Agilent has an issue with it, then it would bother me. OTOH, if Agilent has no issue and they use Array in some form, then none of us should take issue with it. Unfortunately, seeking the truth would require getting inside the two organizations.
Paul