bigtwin. Looking at RM's specs on the gold PC compared to others, they seem to be the only one I can find selling it with 7 - 14 AWG cables. The others I have seen use 17 AWG and one advertises 15 AWG. Their silver PC also is advertised with 14AWG. And I have found two other vendors that also claim the 14 AWG in silver. But most out there seem to be the smaller version. But even at 3 X 17 AWG for the hot and neutral, that's not bad. But I would pay more for a 10 AWG equivalent compared to a 12 AWG.
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.
920 responses
@nwres Where are you seeing any specs on this cable? Im on the RM Digital Store site and can find zero information on the construction of the Odin Gold power cord. |
@bigtwin Sorry for the confusion. The silver version on the RM site has the specs. It's been a while since I went through and compared many of these vendor's images and specs, and when I posted earlier, I was going on memory of my previous investigation. RM's images of both the gold and silver versions show to be thicker than the cables of those from other vendors. Since they seem to use their own images, unlike other vendors that use generic images, I believe the specs on the gold and the silver are consistent. As well as the extra cost that would be associated with the extra material. |
@ullodea here's the link for the Gold power cords I bought. AudioConnector store is very serious, quality stuff, fast shipping, and 15 days hassle free return window.
|
I'm using facsimile odin 2 silver power cords that I received from RM Digital and they are easily the best power cords I've used, which includes some cables in the thousand dollar range. I bought them this spring and paid about $110 for 1M and $145 for 2M, excellent value and performance, highly recommended. |
And that is why it's so difficult to buy from the Ali site. You have one cable (site posted above) selling for $50 making these claims: Nordost Odin Gold Hifi Schuko Power Cord Audio High Fidelity Fever Supply Cable US Standard Power Line
Insulation: PTFE(Teflon) Construction: Mechanically tuned spacing, length and Double-Filament, TSC design Conductors: 7 x 17 AWG(Total Sqaure:7.7mm2) Material: 50um Silver-plated 99.999999% Solid Core OFC Cable Power Rating:16A 250V(EU) ,10A 250V / 15A 125V (US ),15A/ 125V - 250V (AU) Overall Shield Coverage: 100% Individually shielded total coverage Velocity of Propagation: 88% Version :EU , US ,AU IEC :16A , 10A ,20A And the next store, RM Digital asking $250 and making these claims: Name: power cord Brand: nordost Model: Odin gold Plug: Gold Plated US / EU Total signal control In the field of sound, RF noise and electromagnetic waves are the biggest threats to signal degradation. Through the American music ribbon nordost's unique comprehensive signal control technology, each Odin gold Odin conductor will be wrapped by multi-layer gold-plated ribbon shielding network through a complex and uniform unique method, combined with the patented hollo: plug connector terminal, which can provide 100% total shielding coverage, so as to ensure the complete transmission of weak details, due positioning and sound of each instrument. When you look at the pictures on both sites, you can wee there are differences in the parts used. Color of lettering on the connector ends is one example. The $50 dollar cable is claiming Silver coating on the wires and Teflon insulation. So you're always wondering who's lying to us. That's a hell of a construction for only $50 CANADIAN and free delivery on top!!!! |
@roxy54 I don't think nwres is talking about silver wire, but rather the name "silver power cord" ?
|
I don’t find anything ambiguous about the Ali site. Real Nordost Odin 2 power cord $20K… Ali Nordost Odin 2 power cord $100.
Having had the pleasure of actually experiencing a pair of Nordost Odin 2 interconnects and a set of fake ones from Ali. My mom taught me only a few things, but they included don’t get in a car with a man with candy, if it sounds too good to be true, and don’t buy property in Florida unseen. |
| Post removed |
@rolox brilliant, thanks! I've bought from AudioConnector before and agree, great seller. |
Bought a pair of these copy Odin 2 rca interconnects which didn’t sound good upon arrival but I am astonished what I am hearing after a few weeks of break-in. I have them on my modest midfi 2nd system and they make my Fritz speakers come alive. So much detail, clarity and 3D sound. Not sure if its the synergy with the system or speaker cables but these are keepers. Also using an Ali copy Kimber Kable 12TC diy speaker wire with 100% copper spades. All in about $80. Amazing value to say the least. Granted these are a comparison to WBC Mogami interconnects and I have not compared them to high quality expensive branded cables. |
Did you ever order and receive a pair of Odin 2 speaker cables? I saw where you got the Valhalla’s but thought I read somewhere you also ordered the Odin 2’s after what tweak1 said. I got a pair of silver speaker cables from Florida but they’re not as good as the cheap Chinese occ copper cables I’ve been using. These Odin knock offs sound intriguing. |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
@yada (twice) |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
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. |
|
@thyname you nailed it. Everyone is looking for the $40.00 GIANT KILLER!!!! Quite comical.
|
@thyname have you tried one ? What do you mean by “current generation” not braided Dragons ? I am curious to get one, so wondering if you have a link to the ones you are talking about. |
@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 |
thanks @thyname yes, that's the one I was suspecting as well. By any chance do you have one for yourself and compared to the original ? I am trying to find out if its worth paying the significant premium if the fake Odins can be bought for lot less. |
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 |
Don't waste time filing patents trademarks and copyright to protect yourself against the Chinese. They don't give a s**t. OK, go and sue them in their bent Chinese courts. Don't be daft. When you're operating in cowboy country, expect to get shot up. The only way out is to ostracise them from Western markets. Then they will learn they have to toe the line and not live by cheating. Or else leave us alone and just operate in their red land. |
@clearthinker you are right but the folks here would rather support these pirates. |
FYI, AliExpress now selling fake Shunyata Research Cobra cords. Don’t support the pirates, guys. I bought total of 7 fake Odin lines and I’m regretting it now. I feel like shooting at my own foot. I know your curiosity is high, the saving is big but the quality is just as what you pay for… CHEAP. They are thieves and their Government allows them to harm America economy and jobs. We are in recessions. We need to build our shitty land strong again starting from here for us, music and high end audio lovers. Amazon now selling $35 power cords just as good in build quality and performance. I regret buying fake Odin from AliExpress. Respectfully, John
|
Not right on point for this thread, but several years ago I bought a couple of the WU Audio power cords off Amazon for something like $40 or $50 each. I hadn’t been using them in a long while and a couple of days ago decided to attach them to my subwoofers. One of the cloth exterior coverings was moving about (cosmetic only)and noticed on the label of the actual wire insulation was "Furukawa Electric Pure Copper Multiconductor - Made in Japan". |
Aside from the cables that are cearly counterfeit, I think the issue rasied around the more expensive, made in China cables like SKW, is an interesting discussion. I have no problem buying high quality at lower prices. Here is an example of power cord I'm considering: The specs are impressive. OCC Copper. 15 strands per run equals 10 AWG. In talks with the vendor he assures the specs are all valid. If you Google OCC Copper you will find there are 20+ factories in China maufacturing wire using the OCC casting process. And at $38 CDN per meter this is a great deal. So why am I so hesitant to believe this product is what it claims? I have no doubts when a Canadian or US vendor tells me they use OCC Copper and charge me 5 times as much. I hate to admit this but I think it's the inherent racist views we have learned to hold againd all things Chinese. I try not to be that person but I can't find any other explanation. It's a sad comment on the world today, or at the very least, on the person the world today is making me. |
@bigtwin Looking over the link you provided, there is a lot of description, and it might be there, but I did not see anything that actually says the wire is made in China and none of the pictures of the wire shows the "Made in xxx" country. I wonder if the Chinese vendors are buying cable made in Japan at volume discounts and then selling it for a markup on AliExpress. Incidentally, I would prefer cable made in Japan as are my Canare. |
@jetter In talks with the vendor, he refered to "thier factory". I assumed he is talking about a Chinese factory. I could be wrong but I think he would have highlighted the fact the wire comes from Japan is that were the case? |
Pretty disingenuous John. Would you feel the same if the cords sounded great to you? And then you mention Amazon. I buy a lot of stuff from them too, but how do you think that is going to help America? That stuff is coming from China too. If you felt that strongly about trade with China, why did you buy them to begin with? |
@nasaman had a moment of weakness and regrets his actions. Why are you such a strong supporter of the pirates as others have called them? Why do you hate America? Why do you hate American small business and ingenuity? Why do you have such low ethics and integrity? As it was posted earlier "But Mom everyone is doing it!" The old two wrongs make a right well it is a fallacy and illogical. I know one thing, I would never buy a used cable from any the folks in this thread. |
To begin, I wasn’t talking to you Juan, but that’s fine, I’ll answer your questions as I have before. I love America, and I have bought many American made audio products, and will continue to do so. A small number of the products on Aliexpress are counterfeit, and actually, after buying two of those, my favorites are actually other brands sold there that are not counterfeit at all. You know nothing about my ethics or integrity, but I’d like to know about yours. As far as you not buying used cable, nobody asked you to. I got it, you’re a spotless saint. Go home. |
