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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

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mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,132 posts
 

Thanks for understanding my point...

When i went for a purchase on aliexpress i have seen counterfeit at 50 bucks and some other Chinese cables with official Chinese branded name at the same price... Only a fool ( or a curious audiophile ) will buy an official counterfeit , i decided that if Chinese cables makers are able to create fake counterfeit at low price they will work better and invest better materials for their own cable under their own official name for the same price...😊

i was not willing to buy a Nordost cable at thousand bucks anyway or his counterfeit equivalent for 50 then ...

I am pretty sure a 50 bucks Chinese cable under official Chinese name is better done than a counterfeit at the same price ... Chinese sell to ignorant but they also sell to wise people and no Chinese cables maker want to sell trash under an official Chinese name .....

Anyway we will not stop chinese to create counterfeit cables nor will we stop few crooks to buy them and sell them as real on EBAY ...

It is why i will never buy well known very costlier cables used...Even from an honest customers save with an official proof of their origin...

And anyway cables are secondary factors in audiophile experience way behind the electrical noise floor of the house/room/system , the vibrations/resonance mechanical controls and with no comparison at all compared to the acoustics/psychoacoustics aspects of any system/room ..

😊

 

100%
Although this is wishful thinking in some cases relying on proper disposal of this garbage.
My biggest beef is with the concept itself - the manufacturing and distribution of the fakes plus the market that feeds and supports this industry which is everyone here who buys this 💩.
And by the way, good on ya for not buying the fakes!

If anyone is to dispose of these cables after you’re done, see if you can cut them and inspect what they’re made of. May be post some pictures here and add some real value to this thread.

 

zlone
691 posts
 

@audphile1 If anyone is to dispose of these cables after you’re done, see if you can cut them and inspect what they’re made of. May be post some pictures here and add some real value to this thread.

I did that earlier in this thread somewhere, but here are a few snaps of disassembled "Odin" power cables:

https://ibb.co/DM3gvGv


https://ibb.co/FwhymrC


https://ibb.co/Lv9yZHD

 

zlone
691 posts
 

And I will adjust my earlier comment saying results were just okay, the digital cable I bought was darn good, but now replaced by a domestic brand that is even better.

 

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