Don't read you'll be sorry

Marakanetz, Perhaps AQ cares if design is stolen. I'm not sure what provider means. I don't believe AQ sells original cables with 95% discount. It is like with bootleg DVDs, I wouldn't buy it but many people do.

Original Audioqeuest K2s are fine cables, I'm sure, but reading 210 reviews at:

http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-K2-terminated-speaker-cable/product-reviews/B000J36XR2/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

I found this:

"....Anyway, overall, the product is really a fine example of craftsmanship. I've not even plugged them into a sound system yet, as I have them firmly wrapped around my testicles at the moment in an effort to keep my own sperm from impregnating my brain and taking over my mind. So far, so good - I can't speak enough about the reliability of these cables."

Just one review below I found this:

"i love beating my white slaves, or even passerby's with this product. its has a more mellow and more tonal and hence superior sound as the skin eviscerates with a goodly floqgging using these video cables whats not to like?"

I suspect some reviewers might be using them improperly.

Audioquest manufactures cables in China for a long time (10 years?). They moved production there, cut prices and changed names of the cables to stay competitive. Python IC, for instance, became King Cobra (half of the price).
I suspect that big portion of price is not actual cost of manufacturing but R&D. I don't know if this can explain such price difference but on the other hand DH Gate doesn't give any specifications. Are they high purity silver? what type of insulation? Is it foam Polyethylene and carbon loaded partially conductive Polyethylene for negative conductors? Even if all is perfect copy of original (including patented DBS system) I would ask if DH Gate has authorization from AQ. If not, it is pretty much like buying stolen bike - some people wouldn't do it but others pretend not to know it is stolen.

Manitunc, Asuuming that this wire is Rockefeller. It could be another layer of deception since we're dealing with dishonest people. Bezels, wrapping and connectors are most likely very cheap.

I suspect that once some people see $8500 cable for $380 they cannot resist and the fact that it is made in China makes whole thing believable. Of course there is also placebo effect - if you believe that it is K2 it will sound like one.

Silver coated copper is not uncommon. For instance DH Labs Q10 (my brother cables) use high quality copper silver coated:

http://www.silversonic.com/docs/products/Q10.html

On Audioquest website there is theory-education sub-section "Do No Harm". Audioquest explains that silver plated copper is used mostly at high frequency video or digital applications but they use it for subwoofer cables. It sounds like PSS is pure solid silver.

http://www.audioquest.com/theory-education/

"If it is indeed Rockefeller, it's still a huge bargain at the price, right?"

Not really. This "factory" most likely makes whole line of fake cables including fake Rockefeller.

"could it be that this wire was a test run of wire that never made it to market, the "Rockefeller 3"

It could also be any cheap wire with Rockefeller printed on the outside. Original Rockefeller uses partially conductive Polyethylene insulation on negative wire. Easy enough to measure with ohmmeter. If it measures infinity then it cannot be Rockefeller. Also, AQ stated that they use silver plated copper for subwoofer wire only.

Peter, why you compare it to Viper? Viper uses foam Polyethylene and should measure infinity. Carbon loaded Polyethylene should measure within 1Mohm. This is second clue in addition to silver plating that shouldn't be there.

Tycobb, Everybody says stock jumpers (plates) are horrible. I use biwired (shotgun) cables but still need jumpers between tweeter and midrange in my 3 way speakers. I use Audioquest jumpers. They come silver or gold plated.
http://www.amazon.com/SET-4-SILVER-BIWIRE-JUMPERS/dp/B0057FK8RS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345420469&sr=8-2&keywords=audioquest+jumpers