2. cables
  3. 160821-520

has anyone tried chinese cables?

Some of the cables on Ali Express, for example, look nice.  Of course, things like "Odin 2" cables for a few hundred dollars aren't legit, and the number of Cardas copies are legendary.  That doesn't necessarily mean they all suck.  They probably aren't all trademark-infringing ripoffs.  Lots of good hifi products are made in China, and those factories need to stay busy.  Asking if anyone has actually tried them; there's no way to tell visually what lies inside the insulation, or whether occ 7n copper really is only 6n. 
128x128lloydc

Showing 2 responses by williewonka

williewonka
3,067 posts
 

@lloydc - having been involved in DIY cable construction over the past 10 years, here are some basic things I have found makes a signficant difference

  1. Cable Geometry i.e. how the wires are positioned within the cable
    • e.g. Braiding is an exapmple of a cable Geometry
    • the more advanced the Geometry, the lower the noise floor of the cable
  2. Metalurgy i.e. what the wire is made of
    • e.g. OFC Copper, UP-OCC copper, Silver, and UP-OCC silver
    • The better the metal, the faster the dynamic performance
  3. Type of Insulation
    • each insulation has a specific Dielectric Constant e.g.
      • A Vacuum - Dk = 1.0
      • Air is 1.1 = Dk = 1.1
      • Cotton or Silk - Dk = 1.3
      • Foamed Teflon - DK = 1.45
      • Teflon - Dk = 1.2
    • a HIGHER the value of Dk - results in more distortions being "injected" into the signal carried by that piece of wire
    • Lower Dk values result in
      • improved clarity
      • significantly improved micro details
      • ​​​​​​​more expansive and detailed image
  4. ​​​​​​​Connectors
    • ​​​​​​​I prefer silver plated pur copper connectors - they provide
    • faster dynamic performance
    • more details
    • improved clarity

So armed with that inforamtion a person can assess how well ANY cable will perform

  • from any country
  • provided the brand/cable you are looking at makes the information known in theri advertizing literature.

Some Companies that use the above techniques include

  • Zavfino - they make excellent cables that start at a reasonable price
  • In-Akustik - very good cables with a very interesting geometry, but a little more expensive
  • HIJIRI - rated by Audiogon members as being one of the very best available today and again, even more expensive, but not outrageous.
  • But there many other brands that also use TOTL materials in theri construction

 

Hope That Helps - Steve

williewonka
3,067 posts
 

@lloydc - I've tried Viborg products and found them to be pretty good - I've tried their Power Plugs/IEC's and they were well made from silver plated copper. But I do prefer the Sonarquest (also form china) Power Plugs/IEC's, Their IEC's grip like a vice. Also tried Vanguard products, but still prefer the Sonarquest

For Interconnects and speaker cables I use KLE Innovations RCA and Bananas - both silver plated copper. I've found they convey more details and a clearer, more spacious image.

Not sure if you have seen this thread - it has lots of info regarding different wire combinations/connectors tried on the HELIX DIY cables if interested - It's a very long read though

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/duelund-conversion-to-diy-helix-geometry-cabling.

Regards - Steve

 

 

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