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Audioquest SKY Interconnects

I see on eBay what I believe are copies of the AQ Sky interconnects for around $150-$200 used USD being sold out of China.  Does anyone have any experience with these cables?  Are they worth a try or would I be wasting my time?  The reason I am asking is that I would be probably using them in Vandersteen MP filters that I build for my Vanderteen speakers which allows me to use higher grade parts in the filters copies.  Previously I used AQ Diamonback ICs with great success but I sold those when I sold my Vandersteen model 5s.

Thanks for your input/advice.     
bigkidz
bigkidz OP
3,381 posts
 

@geoffkait - thanks that is why I posted this as I remembered something about this years ago.  They are not selling the cables as new but used cables.  I emailed the seller and he responded by saying authentic but still probably not correct.  I guess I am better off looking somewhere else.


Thanks

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Audioquest is made in China.  I've read about it in the interview with the head of AudioQuest, but I cannot find it right now.  I'm not sure if they make all cables in China, but my King Cobra have sign "Made in China".  If you have King Cobra look on the right bottom of the back side of the box.  There is a tiny sign "Made in China" under larger red word "Jaguar".  Also, moving production to China was the reason for renaming cables (lower prices of the same thing).  King Cobra is the newer version of Python that was quite expensive.  Check construction and materials of both.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
So what? Audioquest cables would be assembled by Chinese workers, but the design and parts and control of directionality, everything else, is Audioquest in an Audioquest plant. That’s hardly the same thing as Chinese products. So give a break. Thats like saying iPad and iPhone are made in China. It’s semantics.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
I never said it makes any difference. I mentioned it only to show that the same cables from US and China had different names and prices.  Still, cheap imitations most likely won't be of the same quality, no matter where made.

As for China, I type it on wireless Logitech keyboard (made in China), connected to MacMini (made in China) and to ViewSonic monitor (made in China). All wonderful quality.
eziggy
137 posts
 
One telltale sign that it is a fake is looking at the velcro bands on the DBS packs.  If they wrap around the DBS and/or have AudioQuest written on them in white, then they are most likely fake.  Just look at some pictures of authentic cables online and compare them to the eBay ones.

There are of course more precise copies, so this is just the obvious one.  I would try to stick to buying AQ cables used from well rated sellers or even better dealers if you are looking for authentic cables.  Even still I have heard of stories where highly rated people end up innocently selling Sky cables they thought were real and turned out to not be the case (refunds were issued as I recall).
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