Counterfeit Chinese Cables


I thought that I would write this for those who are curious about one of the many counterfeit Chinese interconnect cables that are available these days. I know that there have been threads about the subject before, and I was always curious because they seem to be such a bargain. I don't really recall much about what any members actually said about the performance of these counterfeit cables, and I didn't look back and do any research, but a couple of months ago there was a thread that came around to discussing the quality of Chinese made components, and oldhvymec said something that made sense to me.

He said that people that say that what they are making is junk should consider that much of what is in our gear, and a lot of our American brands are actually manufactured there. I decided shortly after that that I would take the chance on a set of interconnects, because I suspected that the interconnects going from my pre to my amp were the weak link and needed upgrading. The interconnects going from my DAC to my pre were Kimber Select which are very good, but the other set were LAT International (now defunct) which had cost $500.00 when new, but I had reason to believe they were lacking because I have one of their digital cables that turned out to be very poor sounding in comparison to others I own.

I decided on a one meter pair of counterfeit Nordost Odin interconnects for a total of $104.00 from Aliexpress. I received them a couple of weeks later. They appeared to be well made, and the locking fake WBT rca's were very impressive and are very tight. 

First impressions after installing them were light, thin sound, lacking bass. Each couple of days brought improvements, but from the beginning I noticed that they were quieter. Now, weeks later, I can say that they are drastically better that the LAT's in every way. Detail and ambience are much better, but it's the focus and separation of instruments that is most noticeable. 

I have no way of knowing if they are really a copy of the Nordost design, but I am impressed enough that I am going to try a counterfeit Nordost digital cable.

Obviously, this isn't a comparison that is useful to most, because there probably isn't anyone here using the LAT's, and everything is system dependent. I just wanted to relay my positive experience. 

Nordost ODIN&2 RCA Fever Audio Signal Cable Double Lotus Sterling Silver Audio Cord Video CD Amplifier Tube Cable High Quality| | - AliExpress

128x128roxy54

"Funniest thing is, usual attack around here is cables and cable manufacturers are snake oil and snake oil salesmen, why the sudden compassion for snake oil proprietors."

Good question.

 

I had the privilege of auditioning a set of real Nordost Odin 2 interconnects. They are quite honestly amazing… well, you have to have equipment that is good enough to realize their potential. Do I think these fake cables are made of the heavy silver of the real thing? Of course not. Just for fun I ordered a pair to see what they are like.

One thing I am absolutely sure of is they are not remotely comparable. They are not stealing technology… only making the product look similar. But once I said that the scientist in me said I need to prove it… so I ordered a pair.

@ghdprentice 

Make sure you burn it in for at least 150 hours before critical listening, just to be fair. It takes a while to get something from China, so sit tight, we will be curious to hear your impressions. 

No point in talking about patents.  Patents don't work in China.  Are you really going to go into a Chinese court and spend $000,000s on suing a Chinese company.  Even if you win (unlikely as the courts are Chinese government run) how will you enforce?

Nothing to be done except wean ourselves off Chinese products like Europe is trying to wean itself off Russian gas.  As Mr Dylan said, we never should have exported all our manufacturing capacity.