It's funny. I have a Proxxon manual mini metal lathe and mill combo which I bought new. And it's absolutely fantastic (for its price). Proxxon occupies this weird niche in the market where they try to make a suite of entry level tools that professionals would use, but they're still hobby grade in many ways. Good tools to learn about tools.

Perhaps it is price though. I paid almost $3k for my lathe/mill combo from them, fully kitted out. The DS230 is like $300 when new, which is damned cheap for something not made in China. Could be that you got what you paid for :/