Are these cables violating a patent or are they just knockoffs of a non patented design and only violating copyright law rather than copyright and patent law?
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 3 responses by ghasley
Juan, many of those great Roxels are accurate to within minutes! Mott street used to be Mecca if you needed a roast duck and a "timepiece". LOL.
I wish I weren't so picky...I used to be downright militant about my purchases, today, less so. Not just where my suiting was made but by whom on their staff (Henry Poole). A different time today indeed. A mutual acquaintance of ours, Jim Hall, once mentioned to me a long time ago that Hap's car would be prepared early in the week and his would be later in the week due to the implementation of new ideas/proof of concept changes. He said it showed in the results/finishes. I jokingly told him that maybe Hap was a better driver or took better care of the car. We both know Mr. Hall didn't find that funny.
Fakes and knockoffs are troublesome. The buyer is certainly aware they are purchasing from the metaphorical white van. What could possibly go wrong when buying a "Neardost" power cable? If only....
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I don’t believe anyone has a problem with someone trying to sell a product, especially a high value product that in your estimation also performs at a high level. That’s cool.
I can see why some have a problem that the person/organization doing so doesn’t have to be shady and use the name of another company who has worked hard, invested and built their brand. Its a very low character thing to do to sell your product, riding the coat tails of someone else’s work. In parts of the world, this practice is common place, which is unfortunate.
The way you describe it, its no big deal. I happen to agree with you that pride of ownership is a personal thing. My challenge with the whole exercise is they are using someone else’s name to profit from. They didnt have to do that. I know you must have a line where this practice is horrible right? @juanmanuelfangioii is rightly bothered by this practice because fake aviation parts put people’s lives at risk. Fake baby formula kills children. Fake pharma can as well. By purchasing “insignificant” fake items you see no harm but the practice emboldens “fakers” to follow the money and begin counterfeiting those things that can endanger lives. I get it, people are just trying to make a buck and those purchasing are just trying to save a buck. The slippery slope is a result of those that partake in either side of a transaction like this. |