Acoustic Zen

Guys-

what gear is in your systems?

+1 Sherod, I missed it.  Mine is Absolute.

Can you post a pic? I don't think AZ has an Ultimate interconnect model. Their top-of-the-line is called the Absolute. Look at the photos on the AZ website to compare with yours.

thanks for the comment. audiophile for 25years, my system has no flaws (esoteric grandioso system with coincident dragons mkii tube amps) no placebo effect since it's after i tried them that i had serious doubts about their origin - it really degraded my sound. it most probably is a fake, i think i'll send to factory for check.

I have this cable (0.5m XLR).  It is very light because it is foam Teflon insulation.  It feels empty and flimsy because tubes are oversized (air has lower dielectric constant than foam Teflon).  It is absolutely fantastic cable - fast, clean and neutral sounding with high resolution.  You might have fake, but you might also suffer from The Negative Placebo Effect (sounds bad since you believe it is fake).  You might also have system deficiency that this cable reveals.   Acoustic Zen is a good, reputable company and they will tell you what to look for (signs of being fake) or will certify it for you.