2. cables
  3. 160821-520

has anyone tried chinese cables?

Some of the cables on Ali Express, for example, look nice.  Of course, things like "Odin 2" cables for a few hundred dollars aren't legit, and the number of Cardas copies are legendary.  That doesn't necessarily mean they all suck.  They probably aren't all trademark-infringing ripoffs.  Lots of good hifi products are made in China, and those factories need to stay busy.  Asking if anyone has actually tried them; there's no way to tell visually what lies inside the insulation, or whether occ 7n copper really is only 6n. 
128x128lloydc
lloydc's avatar
lloydc OP
734 posts
 
Thanks to those who shared actual experiences. 
vanos74's avatar
vanos74
3 posts
 

Chinese cable =/=bad

I bought Accuphase 40th anniversary cables (power for my amplifier, RCA interconnect, speaker) from China.
Very good cables for my system (VMV DAC - Kinki Studio EX-M1+ amp. - Focal electra 1038BE)
The sound is in a word: "natural". Good soundstage, good details, very good bass etc.
The sound is not tiring. You can be listened to for any length of time.


Are these fake cables? I don't know but the build quality of cables is perfect and these are very good for my system.

thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 

Are these fake cables?

They are absolutely NOT original Accuphase cables. Guarantee you that. Now... "fake" is a bit harsh 😁. I'd call them "replica" 😂

 

digsmithd
913 posts
 

Agreed with thyname "ghent" is a great vender.Have several dealing with him and no booger's here.He will work with you to look for something as well if you dont see it on his site.

williewonka
3,067 posts
 

@lloydc - having been involved in DIY cable construction over the past 10 years, here are some basic things I have found makes a signficant difference

  1. Cable Geometry i.e. how the wires are positioned within the cable
    • e.g. Braiding is an exapmple of a cable Geometry
    • the more advanced the Geometry, the lower the noise floor of the cable
  2. Metalurgy i.e. what the wire is made of
    • e.g. OFC Copper, UP-OCC copper, Silver, and UP-OCC silver
    • The better the metal, the faster the dynamic performance
  3. Type of Insulation
    • each insulation has a specific Dielectric Constant e.g.
      • A Vacuum - Dk = 1.0
      • Air is 1.1 = Dk = 1.1
      • Cotton or Silk - Dk = 1.3
      • Foamed Teflon - DK = 1.45
      • Teflon - Dk = 1.2
    • a HIGHER the value of Dk - results in more distortions being "injected" into the signal carried by that piece of wire
    • Lower Dk values result in
      • improved clarity
      • significantly improved micro details
      • ​​​​​​​more expansive and detailed image
  4. ​​​​​​​Connectors
    • ​​​​​​​I prefer silver plated pur copper connectors - they provide
    • faster dynamic performance
    • more details
    • improved clarity

So armed with that inforamtion a person can assess how well ANY cable will perform

  • from any country
  • provided the brand/cable you are looking at makes the information known in theri advertizing literature.

Some Companies that use the above techniques include

  • Zavfino - they make excellent cables that start at a reasonable price
  • In-Akustik - very good cables with a very interesting geometry, but a little more expensive
  • HIJIRI - rated by Audiogon members as being one of the very best available today and again, even more expensive, but not outrageous.
  • But there many other brands that also use TOTL materials in theri construction

 

Hope That Helps - Steve

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