Xangsane Cryo OCC vs Sterling Silver XLRs

stillbuyingtoys

This forum is full of warnings regarding AliExpress offerings. 

I hope you are not the next victim of an AliExpress scam, bait & switch or simply false ad (the real product looks, but is not constructed as advertised.) 

Demo is the only truly safe option, as always.

I just ordered a 1m and 5m of the 1105ag XLRs.  I'll report back in probably 3 weeks once they arrive and have been burned in.

As for the AliExpress scams, they happen on alot of websites.  I purchased them from the Xangsane store and not some random retailer on AliExpress.  I've purchased many items from Chinese retailers on eBay with no issues at all.  Also, in the event an issue arises (knock on wood) I'll submit a claim with the credit card for a refund.  A 90 day return policy with free returns, helps out with me pulling the trigger.

I was skeptical with Neotech's as you will only find users on the forum reporting about their performance and they are not carried in stores but their performance is well documented and a way better option for me than going Kimber and AudioQuest at the time.  I'm more so concerned about the 4N pure silver which they clearly say is sterling silver on another slide, but I've read a few reviews of the 9001ag and the 9003ag being a very legit cable.   The 1105ag from only 1 person is said to be a slightly improved cable vs the 9003ag, so I'm taking the plunge as Neotech NEI-1002 MkII OCC silver/gold cable is $125.79 a meter unterminated plus assembly and plugs. 

If this works out and I have better results than Neotech's OCC copper interconnects that I'm running, it will be worth the risk.

@inagroove if you are in the Maryland (very close to Delaware) area and want to pop in once everything is setup for a listen, by all means stop on by as I'm always looking for a well educated hifi friend.

Yes, the "sterling silver" thing is something that they need to correct. It's frustrating, but apparently, it's a Chinese thing, because other vendors on the site make the same error. 

Sterling Silver is all over eBay as well from Chinese retailers.  I'll let my ears judge if indeed hear some sonic benefits from the cables.  I didn't think OCC copper would provide enhancements but for some reason it's apparent when I switched from Mogami interconnects to Neotech NEI-3002.  Then going up to NEI-3001 was yet another improvement that was immediately apparent.

I'm in the camp that I should hear sonic benefits immediately, and if that's not the case then it's not a good buy for me and it's returned.

I'm excited for the potential of these new cables and will report back with real insight.  

An alternate option with the Xangsane XS-1105AG cable is to buy it in bulk ($60 USD/m) and DIY terminate using Viborg XM203AG and XF203AG solid silver conductor XLR connectors (~$40 USD/ea), which works out to roughly the same price as the terminated XS-1105AG with Xangsane connectors.

I offer this because I have been disappointed by an otherwise good cable with subpar connectors. Scant little detail about the metallurgy or construction of the included Xangsane connectors is provided. On the other hand, I have found the Viborg brand to be of consistently solid design, quality, and good fitment, with performance squarely on par with some much more expensive boutique hardware.