Revisiting Chinese Knockoff Cables


Why I don/t know, but the first thread has been removed recently. So, having benefited from it greatly, I felt compelled to recap my journey, so that others of limited budgets might make a huge leap that they otherwise could not afford:

When I first got my EVS 1200 I was using Series 8 WireWorld interconnects, speaker cables and Pangea Premier XL 1.5m coax cable. As you mentioned, I was extremely happy with the amp (compared to PS Audio M700s). Eventually I came across the Chinese Cable knockoff thread and first tried the fau-Nordost Odin 1.5m coax which was/is amazing: as they were so cheap compared to the $169 1.5m Pangea, I also bought a 1.0M Odin, but didn’t try it until after I replaced both the WW cables with Odin 2 XLRs and cables. Then I replaced the 1.5m with the 1.0 and was kinda blown away that 0.5m of the same coax could be THAT much better.

While my all SS system sounded very good, it was a bit too sharp, so I ordered Odin Gold speaker cables (at ~ $170/2.5m). Unfortunately one leg must of had a bad solder joint as it barely sent the music . It took a couple months before they replaced it, which I finally installed 2 days ago: BAM. Even immediately, but of course it needs break in time. The weather here (Ft Lauderdale) has been really bad, I have only left for short quick trips. Today we are under a tornado watch, so won't leave, but as soon as I can get out for a few hours I will put on my XLO burn-in disc, which I use on everything I insert, including the M 700s, EVS, and Voyager which expedites break in, which still takes a good 50-100-200 hours!

Summing this up: cables can/do make or break a system. If I had these cables when I first got the EVS, I probably would never have gotten the Voyager, which of course I am itching to compare again, but could still be awhile

tweak1

middlemass...

What didn't you like about the Chinese "Odin Gold" speaker cable (I am referring to the round body style (not the flat wire type) compared to the silver " Vahalla " from RM Digital?

Never said I didn’t like them. Used the Silver Odin 2 (9 months,) and then the Odin Gold (3 months.) 2 interconnects and 5 power cords, also. 3 of those were originally Silver but all 7 have now been upgraded to Gold. Have been so impressed with this group of products, particularly the cost versus performance ratio, that I decided to try one of the pricier offerings, the flat cable Valhalla 2. A whopping 170.00 for a 2 meter pair. I’m at one month break in and they’re simply outstanding. Yes, better to my ears than the round Odins. More of everything yet somehow more relaxed and natural. Hard to put into words.

decooney said:

"Are there non-knockoff (genuine) CN cables anyone likes better for the same price?

What's puzzling some times is why most everything investigated or praised is some kind of "knockoff" cable.  How about genuinely good well built cables from China through one of the reputable providers listed here. Are those worth mentioning too."

 

I have a pair of TOTL copper Viborg interconnects - 09G801. I’m using them between my Bob’s Devices Sky 20 & EAR Phono Classic. Very nice. Not inexpensive (about $200 CAD +/-). Solid copper connectors.

middlemass...

Thanks for the feedback.... Just to confirm, you tried the Gold round Speaker cable for a period of time, then went to the Vahalla 2 (flat) Silver Speaker cable (your above post mentions trying seven different Gold cables ( 2 interconnects, 5 power cords).....

Thanks...