@rolox : I was not shaming anyone. I was simply pointing out what I saw wrong with the picture the poster painted. You do you. How you spend your money is none of my business. Your money, you can support whom ever you desire
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 29 responses by thyname
Wow! I just read most of this thread. It’s disturbing to say the least. Sooner or later, if not already, someone US based with figure out a “business” out of this, buy these cables in bulk, and sell them as used genuine cables “bought from authorized dealer “. My guess is it’s easy to secure genuine boxes and original cases. Very sad |
Anyone bought the HiFi Dragons from Ali Express? They don’t say “Audioquest “ in their description, but the Audioquest name and logo is all over the place in the pictures. On another note, I wonder what the deal is with those counterfeit cables. Are they done from third party cable makers, copying the design, or are they “back door “ products from the same China factory/ workshops the real cables are made? That’s the real question is my guess. In any case, buying and selling used cables in Audiogon or USAM will for sure be much more difficult. Nobody will trust any individual seller on the authenticity of a cable with all these counterfeits around and readily available. And someone will surely find “innovative “ ways to make this a business, buying them cheap from Ali, and selling them here as “used” authentic cables. If not already happening that is, which I suspect it is |
You were lucky. Maybe because you could prove it you bought them from an authorized dealer. I know with Audioquest, if you send a cable over for authentication, and it’s found counterfeit, you will never get it back. Or any replacement. Audioquest will however provide a detailed technical report on that cable, but only if you were to dispute the purchase with the seller and trying to get the money back via legal manners (I.e PayPal dispute, or credit card). |
Does Audioquest say “made in USA”? It’s been a while I have owned any Audioquest cables, so I truly don’t know. I also know “made in USA” can mean a lot of things. Including final assembly in USA, but with parts (I.e wire, materials) made in China. And truth is lots of stuff is made in China nowadays, like it or not. I bet almost every single product has at least a few parts made in China.
Yup. Which is a bummer for everyone involved with trying various cables, buying, selling, etc.
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Congratulations @juanmanuelfangioii ! Zavfino is certainly great value for the money. I do see you upgrading to Silver Dart in no time 😉 |
I have been observing the used market a lot recently, prompted by this thread. Focused on just one product : Audioquest Dragon power cords. Have been looking at the pictures of Ali Express closely, and what’s for sale here in US, used sites. I am afraid the majority of what’s available “used” is from Ali Express. I am 100% certain. Major giveaways other than actual pictures, 1) lack of cartoon outer cover (none of Ali stuff has that), 2) they are all previous generation, older braiding and writing on the plugs. 3) Color. Audioquest never made light gray nylon braid.
Be careful out there.
I am seriously thinking about getting one from Ali Express, and stripping it down to see what’s inside. They sell for less than $300. Worth the curiosity. Most of these sellers claim privately is the same source material coming from the same factory. They are all honest though, they never say it’s Audioquest. Just uncertified cable using the same materials from the same factory. “Replica” is the major key word. I guess using the logo and exact description wording is totally legal for those people. Wild Wild West 🤦♂️ |
Nothing to do with the Chinese building stuff from their garage. Kudos to them. This is about counterfeit cables. Using other people’s brand names, logos, technology, design, IP, to come up with their “replicas”, imitation, copy/ cats. That’s completely ethical to you? |
I have absolutely zero problems with Chinese branded genuine, honest audio cables brands. I am sure they are great value for the money. My issue is with the outright violation of IP rights and use of brand names. True story: I have bought a bunch of stuff from Ghent. Awesome guy to deal with, great products, no lies, no violations of anything. Ethical: https://www.ghentaudio.com
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Ghent's Canare cables are genuine Canare. At least those that I have personally bought and still own.
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@jetter : I understand that completely. Belden, Gotham, Mogami too. My point is you cannot accuse Ghent for being dishonest or lying for using "canare" as someone put in parentheses above. |
@yada (twice) |
Let’s cut to the chase here: trying the fake Ali Baba cables at $40 a pop will not do you much. Let’s be real. Now, if you really want to know what the China copycats are capable of coming up with, ethically or not that’s a whole lot another issue, give the fake Dragon power cords (Audioquest) a shot. They will cost you about $400 to $500 (get the “current generation” not braided Dragons), so yes, there is some real money involved. You will see. |
@roxy54 : copying links from Ali Baba app for iPad is a PITA. Let me try again: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800138198804.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allProduct.8148356.3.7d8f69a3IkRcyk&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21USD%21US%20%24360.00%21US%20%24331.20%21%21%21%21%21%402101d68d16676805043707670e6ce9%2112000017998477853%21sh&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa&_randl_shipto=US |
I do. And I do have an original (guaranteed original, bought from my local dealer). I do however feel pretty bad saying anything about the Ali counterfeit cables. All I can say, buy one, try it for yourself. They typically arrive in 2-3 weeks if you are in US. The challenge is YOU don’t have an authentic Dragon. How would you compare? |
@jetter yes, that is definitely happening. And it’s been happening. I know for a fact. It’s very sad. There are certainly people like that around. It’s disgusting |
Didn’t you say on the other thread you never post about cables? Every single post of yours here is about cables. Some pathological hatred you have, maybe from your childhood?
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