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Revisiting Chinese Knockoff Cables

Why I don/t know, but the first thread has been removed recently. So, having benefited from it greatly, I felt compelled to recap my journey, so that others of limited budgets might make a huge leap that they otherwise could not afford:

When I first got my EVS 1200 I was using Series 8 WireWorld interconnects, speaker cables and Pangea Premier XL 1.5m coax cable. As you mentioned, I was extremely happy with the amp (compared to PS Audio M700s). Eventually I came across the Chinese Cable knockoff thread and first tried the fau-Nordost Odin 1.5m coax which was/is amazing: as they were so cheap compared to the $169 1.5m Pangea, I also bought a 1.0M Odin, but didn’t try it until after I replaced both the WW cables with Odin 2 XLRs and cables. Then I replaced the 1.5m with the 1.0 and was kinda blown away that 0.5m of the same coax could be THAT much better.

While my all SS system sounded very good, it was a bit too sharp, so I ordered Odin Gold speaker cables (at ~ $170/2.5m). Unfortunately one leg must of had a bad solder joint as it barely sent the music . It took a couple months before they replaced it, which I finally installed 2 days ago: BAM. Even immediately, but of course it needs break in time. The weather here (Ft Lauderdale) has been really bad, I have only left for short quick trips. Today we are under a tornado watch, so won't leave, but as soon as I can get out for a few hours I will put on my XLO burn-in disc, which I use on everything I insert, including the M 700s, EVS, and Voyager which expedites break in, which still takes a good 50-100-200 hours!

Summing this up: cables can/do make or break a system. If I had these cables when I first got the EVS, I probably would never have gotten the Voyager, which of course I am itching to compare again, but could still be awhile

tweak1
alexberger
935 posts
 

Does anybody compare Nordost Valhalla 2 knock off speakers cable speakers cables that cost around $1K and more for 2m pair? 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
knownothing
1,636 posts
 

Update on replacing the AliExpress Odin 2 silver interconnect in my system. After a week of constant playing, it beats all my other interconnects, by a lot.  It’s staying in place between my Chord Qutest and my amp for now.  Oh, and it was only $23.81, which about 20x cheaper than my previous reference Nanotec/Furutech cable.

alexberger
935 posts
 

Here are a number of updates. I have mixed impressions with Chinese cables so far.

I compared again my 25 years old Acrotec 8N 2080 mk1 to Odin Gold RCA cable. 
Yes, Odin Gold is nice, musical and well balanced.
But it is clearly inferior to the Acrotec 8N 2080 mk1. Acrotec is simply more transparent and has better texture and resolution plus deeper and more realistic bass.

After 400 hours my Odin 2 knockoff AC cable started sound balanced and organic with the LHY OCK-1 master clock
that works with my Gustard R26 DAC (connected by Harmonic Technology Digital Copper III BNC (50 ohm) cable).
Now R26 sounds much more transparent, 3D, focused and clean with the master clock without extra brightness.
Between 300 and 400 hour Odin 2 AC cable added some kind of whistling to high frequencies.

I bought the Accuphase 40th Anniversary AC cable.
I burned it on my computer for 10 days (240 hours) then I tried it.
The sound is very dynamic, with incredible resolution. But it is not smooth and the tone is a little bit on the cold side.
The question is, how much break in does this cable need?
And will it sound smoother or warmer after the fool breaks in? 

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