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.
@melm guess you did not watch the Cardas video. That is okay you do you I just despise the entire counterfeit industry. Your opinions are very similar to the majority of people's justifications for buying counterfeit goods. All the top manufacturers of copper wire and cable are based in Japan and the US. I am sure they have extruders in China. The largest copper producing country is Chile then Peru, DR Congo, China, and the US is number 5
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It seems the US Government and Corporations were perfectly willing to place US citizens in direct competition with foreign labor markets. Free trade agreements have done this. You can compete with foreign labor, you just have to be willing to accept the same wages and resulting standard of living. I have no sympathy for companies that produce goods overseas in China for next to nothing and then sell them here at exorbitant prices. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. |
Some people have counterfeit cables mixed up with fake. The counterfeiters are telling you the truth, and you're paying very little for them, what's the issue!
The fakes are the problem, you're paying for the real deal, getting something else. I don't think anyone here has a problem stating sellers of fakes are criminally libel.
I can understand why Cardas has patents, they do use proprietary copper in their cables. Still haven't seen a listing of all these other patented cables with their proprietary metal, parts and design.
Funniest thing is, usual attack around here is cables and cable manufacturers are snake oil and snake oil salesmen, why the sudden compassion for snake oil proprietors. |
I had the privilege of auditioning a set of real Nordost Odin 2 interconnects. They are quite honestly amazing… well, you have to have equipment that is good enough to realize their potential. Do I think these fake cables are made of the heavy silver of the real thing? Of course not. Just for fun I ordered a pair to see what they are like. One thing I am absolutely sure of is they are not remotely comparable. They are not stealing technology… only making the product look similar. But once I said that the scientist in me said I need to prove it… so I ordered a pair. |
No point in talking about patents. Patents don't work in China. Are you really going to go into a Chinese court and spend $000,000s on suing a Chinese company. Even if you win (unlikely as the courts are Chinese government run) how will you enforce? Nothing to be done except wean ourselves off Chinese products like Europe is trying to wean itself off Russian gas. As Mr Dylan said, we never should have exported all our manufacturing capacity. |
Do you know that Cardas also doesn’t return the fake cable to you? So you cannot even return the fake cable to the seller. What a deal!! I pay a fee and lose my money. I will take two. |
No, call them and ask. It’s likely you get to pay shipping to send your fake cable to Cardas to validate, and check if you have to pay for shipping the fake cables back to you on return. Then pay to ship them back to the person you bought them from. Worst deal ever to pay for fake non-performing cables. Best of luck on that! |
@melm on how their cable and interconnects are manufactured. No point, I posted it so people can understand the difference between IP, real engineering and a knockoff. Have a great day.
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I have ordered several different types of connectors that were supposed to be great silver plated only to find them very magnetic and when placed next to a real one that is silver plated copper and not a bit magnetic at all. If they were all they were made out to be they would use international or industry standards for copper and silver and gold and not like “Fine Red Copper” or use terms that don’t even exist in the metals industry. The internet needs to become real and really never will be… |
I have ordered several different types of connectors that were supposed to be great silver plated only to find them very magnetic and when placed next to a real one that is silver plated copper and not a bit magnetic at all. If they were all they were made out to be they would use international or industry standards for copper and silver and gold and not like “Fine Red Copper” or use terms that don’t even exist in the metals industry. The internet needs to become real and really never will be… |
This thread sure went off the rails, especially juan of the members. |
Exactly. Buy the real McCoy if you can, not the one pretending to be something else. At least you’ll have a better idea of what you are getting. |
The fake Odin2 power cables were a lot better than my genuine Heimdall2 without break in. In every aspect. But how does this fake Odin compare to the levels above Heimdall? Would Tyr still be better? It's possible. I have no reference to compare. But for the price it cannot be beat. Build quality is stunning for the money. They have cloned the holo plugs down to the tiniest detail. |
Take a look at this website. There are a lot of info there: https://www.nordost.com/downloads/multiLanguage/Odin%20Gold%20Instruction%20manual_ENG.pdf Good luck. |
Thanks. I have a couple of good burn in discs, including Stereophile, XLO and Iso-Tek, which has a lot of sweeps. Reading the manual reminded me I need to do that My experience is the Neardost cables are impressive from the get-go, but improve a lot in just a few days. They've all been in the system for 10 -20 days, the last one a Gold PC between wall and Equi-power 1800 PLC |
@tweak1 |
I don't believe true audiophiles are interested in Chinese knock-offs.Respected ,legitimate companies are the way to go.What is there return policy,and what kind of warranty is available?The Chinese have been stealing from American companies for years.As for technology,what have they ever come up with on their own? Nothing! |
Well let’s see; The compass, gunpowder, paper, the abacus, the seismograph, moveable type printing, horticulture, the mechanical clock, tea production, silk, the umbrella, iron smelting, porcelain, rocketry, bronze, the toothbrush... That enough for you? What a monumentally ignorant statement. |
Can't misinterpret that, can you? Cut and dried. Speaks for itself. A singularity of context. Just look at a history book to see how ignorant your statement is. Say juan, what was your previous username before you were banned? |
@thecarpathian Okay I overlooked that. Point taken, as should the point that they steal IP all the time. Thinking you have some of these bootleg cables?
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@ps yours are the most authentic cables in this thread. |
I am not a subscriber to the notion of "American Exceptionalism" And FYI, my course is true. I’ve lived longer than most of you here. I suspect this post will be removed by the mods. Before that happens, I will say this: the primarily apolitical cult world that most audiophiles inhabit is a futile and often humorous one in which to talk morality and of some higher "rightness or wrongness." . "If it sounds good it IS good." |
