@phastm3 Wow! That is one amazing system I can’t even imagine how good that must sound. Any cable would sound fantastic in your house. Cheers to your set up!
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.
Showing 30 responses by tksteingraber
Not all are created the same on aliexpress. I have bought .5m power cables just for the plug connectors to make my own DIY power cables. Pics were the same but one seller sent a mat stainless finish with dull gold pins while another seller sent one wit a shiny stainless finish and shiny gold pins. Also, bought a 120v LPS and was sent a 240v LPS. Beware returns really are for the most part not an option. They string you along and rule in favor of the seller and require you to pay return shipping to China. That aside I have been blown away with the quality performance a value of the products they sell. |
Been very surprised with the quality of these braided power cords. Use 2 of them on my second (mid-fi) system’s amp and power conditioner and they made a significant improvement over a DIY KimberKable 12TC with ground. Better clarity, cleaner more defined highs and bass. They needed at least 50 hours break in. Amazing how these cords can sound this good for $35. Would be interesting how these compare to the Odin since they have similar looking silver plated 12 core wire. * bought 1 black sleeved and 1 clear no sleeve. They use same cables. |
@roxy54 yes I have opened it up and confirmed it is silver plated wire. Very well constructed. I added a second 10ga copper ground wire to the ground terminal on the plug to connect it directly to a Russ Andrews RF Router MK II which does an excellent job of removing noise to improve clarity. It’s my effort to replicate RA’s EVO-S PowerKord floating grounding method. Time will tell how if it adds a benefit. Fun giving it a go with these low cost power cords.
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@roxy54 that might be my error…I saw the silver wire and assumed it is plated at this price. A lot of these descriptions can be misleading. They mention silver purity etc and say 5NOCC but don’t mention plated copper. Oops! At this price I just cannot see it being all silver. Next time I open one up I will remove the wires anD give it a good look. |
@roxy54 ok curiosity got the best of me so I opened one up and can confirm it is silver plated copper not solid. |
@bfb1963 yes the connector plates are plated and silver in color, the screws appear to be brass and are gold. No shielding connected on this 12 strand braided cord… |
Update: After getting several more hours in with this braided silver plated power cord I have to say it was mesmerizing initially… the details and clarity really stood out but it is just too much for my system. I felt the mids suffered a bit and the highs, which are really good and jump out at you, are just fatiguing. Didn’t get the sense the cable was improving with more playing time. I have gone back to my DIY Chinese KimberKable 12TC ($7 per meter) with added ground helix. Warmer, fuller midrange sound, nice smooth bass, more real sounding, nice clear highs non fatiguing and the cable continues to improve with use. Amazing value but for $’s you can do better. |
Bought a pair of these copy Odin 2 rca interconnects which didn’t sound good upon arrival but I am astonished what I am hearing after a few weeks of break-in. I have them on my modest midfi 2nd system and they make my Fritz speakers come alive. So much detail, clarity and 3D sound. Not sure if its the synergy with the system or speaker cables but these are keepers. Also using an Ali copy Kimber Kable 12TC diy speaker wire with 100% copper spades. All in about $80. Amazing value to say the least. Granted these are a comparison to WBC Mogami interconnects and I have not compared them to high quality expensive branded cables. |
Ok back to the regularly scheduled program…for those of you who might care how these Chinese cables sound my experience is that the Odin 2 silver RCA interconnects copy sound very good. I compared them to WBC Mogami and Morrow MA3 and the Odin sounded much better than either of them. So much more detail, improved bass and more layered defined soundstage. Best I have heard. Additionally, I compared the copy Kimber Kable 12TC DIY speaker cable with 100% copper spades to DH Labs Silver Sonic Q-10 Signature cables and the 12TC sounded much better. Much more detail, better defined bass and just a much fuller richer sound.
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@zlone Thanks for the pics. Nice to see the construction. I bought complete set of gold power and interconnects for one system and a complete set of odin 2 interconnects and speaker cables for a second system. The power cords didn’t stand out but were very nice for $35. Preferred my VH Audio DIY flavors and DIY Kimberkable tc12. BUT the interconnects and speaker cables (to a slightly lesser degree) were a jaw dropping improvement. Crushed my Morrow (MA3) and DH Audio (Q10). Incredible value for performance level. I just do not like that they use the Nordost branding. |
I use a single Odin 2 rca interconnect as digital cable from CD transport to DAC with good success. Wire looks same as the last listing on your list. I prefer the Odin connectors. Not sure how this works on a streamer since I use USB. US $17.15 30％ Off | High Quality Nordost Odin 2 silver Reference interconnects RCA cable Audiophile for amplifier CD player |
Chinese copy and manual instructions are frequently cryptic and confusing. The way these cables sound for their price I am not concerned what they are made of as long as they don’t set off a Richter Scale😆. I feel these must be OCC copper with pure silver plating with each of the 10 cores shielded as somewhat mentioned. Who know but my main concern is using the Nordost brand, not that anyone would confuse them as real Nordost. |
@jetter Fyi- I purchased mine from Moonsaudio with excellent results. 1m rca-rca $35 |
@phastm3 which Valhalla speaker cables did you purchase Valhalla or Valhalla 2? |
@hdm +100% Nailed It 👍👏 |
Ok back to how the cables sound and compare….gave the Audiocrast (Valhalla like copy) ribbon speaker cable a try. Build quality and connectors very good. Sound quality is great and beats the pair of Odin 2 speaker cables I was using by quite a bit. Also a step in the right direction that these don’t use the Nordost brand name but the ribbon cables are identical. For those who are critical of Chinese quality you need to actually listen to them or zip it. Their cables sound fantastic and at very nice price points. Enjoying another step up in SQ.
US $45.00 25％ Off | Audiocrast 7N OCC Flat Silver Plated Speaker Cable HIFI Loudspeaker Cable Spade to Spade Y Plug Left Right Channel Cable |
@mr_bill Yes sound labs…just to clarify they were Chinese copy Odin 2 speakers cables not the real deal of course! |
@ghdprentice already did read post prior to your post. 👌 |
@bigtwin I don’t think these cables will compete with your DIY VH Audio cables you built. I don’t think it matters which store you buy from its all the same wire they use. Connectors vary and I would pick the ones you like best. I bought mine from Sound Labs and they used bananas to spades under the brand Audiocrast which I preferred. I don’t like them using brand names. They sound great on my system but I am unable to justify buying big $ cables. Also, I bought 30mm black flex cable sleeve to cover the wide flat cable. |
@bigtwin Since your DIY post I have been thinking about trying VH ‘s Chela wire and work on my hand/eye coordination🤪. If you do purchase the Valhalla I would be interested in how the SQ compares. Yes, this hobby is a continual search for better SQ frequently defying logic. I have found that quite often new tubes, cables, fuses or other tweaks the sound is not necessarily better but just different. I find it nice to have those SQ choices for your mood or music type. And the search goes on! |
@tubeguy76 i feel these Chinese Odin cables are exceptional value and sound very good. Better than many more expensive lines. I bought the Valhalla ribbon white speaker cables and they are excellent once broken in at 75 + hours. Mine were branded Audiocrast but identical. I had them on both my systems and was very happy. Bested Nordost Odin 2 silver round speaker cables, Mogami and Dh labs Q-10 very noticeably. I moved on in my main system when I Came across a used pair of Goertz MI 3 copper ribbon speaker cables. They have amazing performance for their price…not to get sidetracked. Also have several Odin gold power cables, Odin gold IC’s, Odin silver IC and ethernet. All perform way a over their price and compare very favorably to my favorite cable line Audio Envy. Some SS components the Odin’s sound as good or better than AE. Tube gear AE all the way. Just my experience with my systems, ears, and taste preference. |
@pennfootball71 I was raised and believe that if you don’t have anything nice to “Sprook?” you should say nothing at all. It would be an advantageous philosophy to adapt to improve your credibility and support from fellow goners as we share our audio experiences. Name calling instead of being civil in discussing others differing opinions is so petty. @tubeguy76 sprook comment is for any of us that buy and comment in public about these Ali branded products is how I read it. Agree with you, I would never buy real Nordost so no business impact to them. These cables have more impact on the brands in my price range that I may not buy. @audphile1 I would never resell these brand name copies. Repurpose the parts or damage and dispose of them. |
“- what materials are used by the chinese to allow them to produce a Nordost Valhalla or Odin counterfeit they can sell for $50 and still make money - who builds all this stuff? Have you seen a factory tour? I bet child labor is involved - pretty sure the CCP is grateful for your contribution” Don’t disagree but isn’t this the case for all the Chinese parts and components used in products made/assembled outside of China including USA. At least the assembly labor and some of the parts are not. Not even getting into raw materials. I don’t think any of my USA made audio components don’t have ties to Chinese parts or materials. |
@pennfootball71 oh my…i guess you didn’t comprehend that i did not reject but accepted your own reality on counterfeits. I just had a contrary opinion that you can’t accept or agree to disagree. Also as I stated I am not a “counterfeit person” but rather “Copies person”. Who says it’s illegal? If it's illegal why are we able to order them? It’s not like they are being smuggled into the USA. We are just ordering no different than Amazon. |
@pennfootball71 oh wow now you are patronizing us by giving us the definition of counterfeit as if we don’t know its definition. So because the discussion description is counterfeit it gives the green light to name calling agoners? What the….is the logic here. Personally I don’t refer to them as counterfeit but rather copies because they have just the name on items and aren’t exact replicas. Semantics and a matter of opinion. I’m fine if you define them as such. My speaker cables are named Audiocrast which is sooo much better. |