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
I own both the Odin 2 silver and Odin Gold IC’s on 2 different systems and they are fantastic cables. Also use Valhalla Speaker cables and Odin Gold power cords and I have no interest in changing anytime soon. Gone are Viborg, Morrow and DH labs cables. Has anyone done a true comparison between these Chinese Odin Gold and the Odin 2 Silver? Are you able to hear a difference? I haven’t been able to hear the Gold being warmer or much if any differences between the two. |
@tweak1 Thanks…wow aren’t those Silver WW cables $3500+. So interesting how system dependent cables and tweaks can be. Maybe having several tube components make an impact on these IC’s warmth sound. Who knows just very happy the way they sound! |
I bought several of these Nordost copies with the understanding if they did not work out that they should not be resold. At their prices this is still very low risk and not a big deal. You may be a forthcoming seller and honest that these are knock-offs but future buyers may not be. I would not re-sell them and chalk it up as experimenting fun. BTW I am very happy with mine but I don’t play in the $600+ cable market. |
I use various Chinese Nordost Odin Silver and Gold, interconnects, power cord, and ethernet cables. Also use the Chinese (Nordost Valhalla) flat speaker cables. Agree they are amazing speaker cables. Better than the Silver Odin’s in my systems. Mine were Audiocrast (don’t like them using the Nordost brand) but exact same construction. All these cables sound much better than any other cables I have used. Ended up selling off my Morrow cables and am very content. Just wish they would stop calling them Nordost which they obviously are not. I read that the wood blocks were used to absorb/reduce cable vibrations?? |
Ok here’s my different take on my 2 system set ups…I have both Odin 2 silver and Odin Gold interconnects. They both sound excellent but I can’t really tell them apart. Settled with a full loom of Odin 2 Silver interconnects and Odin 2 ethernet on my 2 channel system with KimberKable 12TC Chinese copy speaker cables. On my Home Theatre/2 ch system I use Odin gold interconnects, Odin 2 silver ethernet, Valhalla identical flat speaker wire branded Audiocrast. I have Odin 2 silver speakers cables and they sounded very good but the Valhalla are much improved. However, they do take 75-100 hours of use to get past their initial brightness. I have not tried the Odin Gold speaker cables due to my interconnect comparison results. I Also cover my speaker wire with black flex braid sleeves to make them look nicer and not stand out. I have ordered a second pair of the Audiocrast (Valhalla) speaker cables for my 2 channel system to compare/replace the Kimber Cable. |
@reimarc what did your DIY cables end up setting you back? |
Agree the Odin 2 and gold cables are an exceptional value. Would like to add the flat Audiocrast (identical to the Valhalla ones) speaker cables are as well. Better than the Odin 2 silver in my systems. These cables are the best cables I have heard in my midfi systems. Easily better than Mogami, Morrow MA3 ic’s and DH Labs AQ-10 speaker cables and others. Granted…I have not experienced true high end cables which should sound better given their pricing. I’ll Leave those to the more serious Hifi systems with deep pockets. |
