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

128x128roxy54

Showing 8 responses by audphile1

Yeah some of you’re going to box them up and keep them in the basement when you move on. Or tie your garbage bag with these cables which is even a better strategy. That’s just you though. It’s inevitable that some of these cables will end up on a used market at some point and be sold as genuine. It has been happening and will continue to happen and all of you bragging about this garbage and hyping it up will have something to do with it. On a used market it hurts sellers and buyers alike. It causes unnecessary paranoia and overhead that includes disputes, endless back and forth emails, sending cables to manufacturers to get authenticated for a fee, etc

Nice job!

@tksteingraber no doubt there are parts in our audio components that are made in china. But most if not all are major parts suppliers and the risk for manufacturers to get involved with something akin to the counterfeit cable manufacturing isn’t worth it on many levels including quality which isn’t controlled to the degree required by reputable component manufacturers. The counterfeit industry is a different animal. 

A question to all who currently own these counterfeit cables…

When you’re ready to move on and upgrade, what will you do with these fakes?

In addition…few more things to think about -

- 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

@hdm sorry man but none of what you said above justifies this. If you can’t afford and or don’t like Nordost selling $30,000 cables, don’t buy them. There are plenty of legitimately good cables available from hard working folks like TWL in example. If you want decent sounding affordable cables they are out there. They just don’t look like Odin or Valhalla.

But…you all do as you please. Right wrong or different.

 

Buying  Chinese conterfeit with a branded name by curiosity is not a sin ... Reselling it is a sin ... 😊
 

That depends on how big of a picture you’re looking at. 

roxy54 OP

7,596 posts

 

@audphile1 

Get off of your high horse. If you don't like them, don't buy them. As far as the aftermarket sales are concerned, bad guys will do bad things when given the chance. Most of us have no intention of reselling them as genuine.

Don’t tell me what to do and I won’t tell you where to go @roxy54 

@mahgister although your Louis Vuitton pajamas are counterfeit, your craziness is 100% genuine. 
 

When you get reincarnated in China, I hope it’s not going to be as a bat. 

@mahgister 

The best way to clean counterfeit if you  buy one out of curiosity is buying one and throwing it out when your experiment is done ...

This is the way to stay honest...And satisfying curiosity...

….

 

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.