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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
bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,206 posts
 

And that is why it's so difficult to buy from the Ali site.  You have one cable (site posted above) selling for $50 making these claims:

Nordost Odin Gold Hifi Schuko Power Cord Audio High Fidelity Fever Supply Cable US Standard Power Line

Insulation: PTFE(Teflon)

Construction: Mechanically tuned spacing, length and Double-Filament, TSC design

Conductors: 7 x 17 AWG(Total Sqaure:7.7mm2)

Material: 50um Silver-plated 99.999999% Solid Core OFC

Cable Power Rating:16A 250V(EU) ,10A 250V / 15A 125V (US ),15A/ 125V - 250V (AU)

Overall Shield Coverage: 100% Individually shielded total coverage

Velocity of Propagation: 88%

Version :EU , US ,AU

IEC :16A , 10A ,20A

And the next store, RM Digital asking $250 and making these claims:

Name: power cord

Brand: nordost

Model: Odin gold

Plug: Gold Plated US / EU

Total signal control

7 x 17 AWG OFC copper.  3 strands together = 12 AWG

In the field of sound, RF noise and electromagnetic waves are the biggest threats to signal degradation. Through the American music ribbon nordost's unique comprehensive signal control technology, each Odin gold Odin conductor will be wrapped by multi-layer gold-plated ribbon shielding network through a complex and uniform unique method, combined with the patented hollo: plug connector terminal, which can provide 100% total shielding coverage, so as to ensure the complete transmission of weak details, due positioning and sound of each instrument.

When you look at the pictures on both sites, you can wee there are differences in the parts used.  Color of lettering on the connector ends is one example.  The $50 dollar cable is claiming Silver coating on the wires and Teflon insulation.  

So you're always wondering who's lying to us.  That's a hell of a construction for only $50 CANADIAN and free delivery on top!!!!

roxy54's avatar
roxy54 OP
8,012 posts
 

@nwres 

Can you please provide the link for the Odin silver power cord that you mention? I don't see any that are silver, just copper or silver plated copper.

Thanks

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,206 posts
 

@roxy54 I don't think nwres is talking about silver wire, but rather the name "silver power cord"  ?

 

ghdprentice
7,074 posts
 

I don’t find anything ambiguous about the Ali site. Real Nordost Odin 2 power cord $20K… Ali Nordost Odin 2 power cord $100.

 

Having had the pleasure of actually experiencing a pair of Nordost Odin 2 interconnects and a set of fake ones from Ali. My mom taught me only a few things, but they included don’t get in a car with a man with candy, if it sounds too good to be true, and don’t buy property in Florida unseen.

roxy54's avatar
roxy54 OP
8,012 posts
 

@bigtwin 

Thanks, I thought that might be the case after I had looked around the site for a while.

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