Cable Asylum

Interconnects, speaker wire, power cords. Ask the Cable Guys.

Return to Cable Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem

184.90.184.246
Posted on December 9, 2022 at 17:41:56
jmimac351
Audiophile

Posts: 882
Location: Central FL
Joined: April 7, 2000
 Sharing this and YMMV... I purchased a few of the Chinesium ODIN Gold cables from one of the vendors mentioned as being reputable: "audioConnector Store". I bought a power cable, 1.5m USB cable, and 1m XLR cable (pair). The stuff showed up fine.

The USB cable is giving me problems, a problem I can recreate upon demand. When inserted into the system, every so often (multiple times within a song) there is a dropout of maybe 1/2 second. I've swapped back and forth with an El Cheapo Diablo printer USB cable and I can repeat it every time. The El Cheapo Diablo printer cable has zero issues.

System:
MacBook Pro connected to Ayre QB-9 Twenty DAC --> Ayre KX-5 Twenty Preamp --> Ayre VX-5 Twenty Amp... Playing: Tidal streaming direct, Roon streaming Tidal, J-River playing media directly, Pandora... anything. The issue happens whether streaming or playing media directly, and it happens every time.. It does not happen when El Cheapo Diablo printer cable is put back in.

By the way, the same problem was recreated on another DAC... it's the cable.

The Chinesium "ODIN Gold USB 2.0 A to USB B Nordost ODIN gold USB" from audioConnector Store is going in the trash.

YMMV.

Here is a link to the cable that I had issues with. 1.5M length:

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 9, 2022 at 19:29:06
kkak66
Audiophile

Posts: 641
Location: Florida
Joined: April 25, 2000
 I agree, I have a 3 meter one, my cheap 3 meter Wireworld USB is much better.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 10, 2022 at 00:53:37
ejk
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Location: NYC
Joined: January 14, 2009
 No one said they were all perfect

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 10, 2022 at 03:56:28
ejk
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Location: NYC
Joined: January 14, 2009
 After I read this post, I decided to try out the Odin Silver coaxial digital cable I received back in November. Guess what? the RCA plugs will not fit into the input on my DAC.It fits into my BS Node. I also tried it to my preamp and the same thing. The center pin will fit but not the outer ring LOL. I am going to try spreading the outer ring this afternoon and see if it will fit. I think the problem is that my DAC and Pre have those heavy-duty jacks on them. Here is the cable I bought.

 

Interesting, posted on December 10, 2022 at 04:19:33
Joe Appierto
Audiophile

Posts: 1051
Location: Central NJ
Joined: January 3, 2004



I purchased mine from another vendor, Furukawa Flagship Store, and didn't have any issues when hooking them up to my Xfinity set-top-box and their router/modem and to the PS Audio DirectStream DAC.

That said, the ones from Furukawa have a different cable design and the connectors are WBT knockoffs. Just dumb luck on my part that I got them from there.

I ordered two coax cables and when I first got them was worried because they looked like interconnects rather than coax but they work fine in each of the applications.




Joe

 

Stop buying cheap Chinese crap, posted on December 10, 2022 at 09:35:46
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13976
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 Just stop. If you just have an urge to spend money, buy music or go
to a concert.

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

Bless your heart , posted on December 10, 2022 at 10:01:35
jmimac351
Audiophile

Posts: 882
Location: Central FL
Joined: April 7, 2000
 My feedback about this is helping others who are looking at this stuff.

You're an awesome guy. Have a great day.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 10, 2022 at 11:43:41
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




The OP was related to the usb cable in question not holding a handshake or connectivity to his device | not regarding sound in the least, yet as you're relying upon using an iPad connected to your DAC versus your Mac Mini, which I can't understand why?, as you can stream from both, whereas via the Mac Mini all you've to do is link your streaming services directly from it.

Let's not forget I've gone through all of 34 or so usb cables to date | ranging from $35-$945, as well as sampled 4 of them via the Cable Company tapping out around $1.600, just for the sake of curiosity | and knowing you personally have a bias towards silver or to an extent even silver plated copper, doesn't warrant how this cable rendered music, just maybe it's your hearing that needs to be questioned?, as this cable literally beats the living shit out of every copper based design that has entered my system since 2014 | as well as two pure silver usb cables, namely the original Curious | latter more upscaled Curious Evolved at $380 | $585 respectively.

In my very very selective manner of judging how music is rendered properly, is based upon truth of tonality | timbre | accuracy | emotional impact | realism | textual balance, as I've to then imagine most of the early 50s | mid 60s recordings you focus on, merely aren't resolving enough to allow said beauty of this cable to be clearly heard in its truest form.

And in truth, knowing you never even allowed it to fully settle in, your statement is a blanket one at best. Just the facts.

Lastly..., as stated I'm still present | yet only care to speak on topics of interest more so these days | so in someways I'd advise you to speak on on what you know?, in said case, I'm well aware you don't.

 

Those Are Locking RCA's, posted on December 10, 2022 at 20:52:41
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 Did you unscrew them slightly to loosen, insert in the jack, then tighten them up?

Though I have also come across some WBT knockoffs where the locking collar does nothing as they were not threaded enough internally. In my case they still fit fine but unable to tighten further (lock) compared to genuine ones.

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 12, 2022 at 12:12:40
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 Yes, and buying from the supposedly "better" vendors doesn't necessarily work either. One connector on the 1M XLR's I'd bought from "audioconnecter store" got stuck in the right XLR input of one of my power amps. Finally just literally yanked it out. Fortunately no damage to the amp's XLR input. Modified the XLR's to avoid that from happening again, but I've since lost my enthusiasm to even use them. Maybe QC is getting a little sloppy at this point.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 14, 2022 at 21:50:22
Tuckers
Manufacturer

Posts: 2004
Location: San Francisco
Joined: September 29, 2001
 Not Surprising. I got one and it also cut out randomly or didn't work altogether. I disassembled it and found that it is not built to ANY USB cable spec. It does not use twisted pair configuration for the data + and - wires which is needed to remove the noise the cable run generates and keep noise low enough for the signal to lock and stay locked. It uses the spiral of wires that you see on the outside. This is just simply not how USB works.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 17, 2022 at 09:47:53
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 Quick update on this particular "somewhat flawed" Odin Gold XLR. It was forced into service in a recent audio experiment and performed quite well. The "stick in the mud" (literally) here was the discovery that using a total of 4 meters of Odin Gold XLR's linking DAC to pre-amp (3M) and then on to power amp (1M) resulted in a thick and somewhat veiled presentation. Replacing the 3M Odin Gold XLR run with a Grimm TPR XLR balanced the equation nicely. Reminds me that somewhere in these various threads on Chinese Odins and Vahalla's, a few have mentioned mixing Odin Gold's with Odin II's with good results. As always however, YMMV.

 

RE: Those Are Locking RCA's, posted on December 17, 2022 at 10:17:51
ejk
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Location: NYC
Joined: January 14, 2009
 I didn't unscrew them enough. They fit now

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 21, 2022 at 22:21:46
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002
 Buy this usb cable, more money than fake odin, after fully break in, will beat crap out Odin 2 or gold! search:1005004368114560.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 21, 2022 at 23:19:26
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




I'm sorry to say, but your search method didn't workout for me, could you actually go to AliExpress and cut and paste the actual page ( listing ) here?.

Thanks.

 

Think he means this one, posted on December 22, 2022 at 02:04:27
Joe Appierto
Audiophile

Posts: 1051
Location: Central NJ
Joined: January 3, 2004
 Xangsane


Joe

 

RE: Think he means this one, posted on December 22, 2022 at 09:53:15
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002
 Jeo is right, That is the one ! I have Odin 2 usb, that is much better than Curious yellow usb, but this silver one made my Odin 2 sounded like broken, which I bought from audio connectors.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 22, 2022 at 15:00:11
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002
 I bought this cable from Vipeos store, they have sold out this cable, but you can read review there, one guy says that this cable plays on par with the original AudioQuest Diamond and the Wireworld Platinum Starlight that I've auditioned in my set. link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004350361428.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.5dc11802UkTHy5

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 23, 2022 at 08:10:31
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Thanks Dantheman,

Yet might I ask in which manner did this brand better both the Odin 2 Silver | Odin Gold usb cables?, as mine bettered several other usb cables costing upwards of once again $945, I'm curious as to how they differ sonically to said other two?, is it more about sonic?, or overall just being more musically pleasing?.

As the ones you've mentioned seems to be constructed of sterling silver as it's primary conductors, what gives?.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 23, 2022 at 12:18:00
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002
 el34eh@yahoo.com,
I only have Odin 2 usb, but I have asked Audio Connector the differences between Odin 2 silver and gold, answer is they have the same structure, basically they are the same, so I assume my found also applies to Odin gold. The Xangsane usb is much smoother, the Odin's edgeness and sibilance is very obvious in my system and in my room, Odin presents everything on a screen, Xangsane presents everything on a stage, and it also has the same huge soundstage as Odin, but it is more musical than Odin. Since my new fake Valhalla SC is only two days old, need more time to break in, so far my another SC is more transparent, but have not tried with Xangsane usb. I am sure the better your system is, the bigger differences you will hear. hope it helps.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 23, 2022 at 14:00:16
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Thanks Danthemsn,

Yet as my entire system as it stands is more to the warmer side of neutral | never having heard said sibilance from the Odin 2 right out of the box, but heard drumming as well as percussive instruments where I'd clearly pick out technique | patterns within of which I've never experienced beforehand | as my main speakers which offer a very very balanced overall sound | also offers the best top end balance I've heard ( owned ) from any speakers with soft dome tweeters | so I'm somewhat reluctant to own cables which are in themselves on the warmer | creamier | laidback side, as the music itself at least to my mind would in fact become overly glossed over | somewhat boring..., but then again an under $90 usb cable isn't going to put my wife | I in the poorhouse, so I'll get one next week just for the sake of knowing what's what?.

Thanks again for bringing this option to my attention, as I haven't noticed many here having discussed either of said Odin usb cables, as I've to believe beyond the IC's | SCs | PCs, they simply aren't interested!, but having purchased 4 different versions, I'm more inclined to think as the old jargon goes, it's more system or ear dependent in many cases, so much so I'll be riding out either or..., as usual I'm all over the cabling | isolation footer thingies | as if there are never enough of them to explore?.

Happier Holidays once again to you | yours.
O_o scar

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 23, 2022 at 19:04:57
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002
 Hi Oscar,

Try it, if you don't like it, this store offers free return. You are right, everything in audio is system dependent. two weeks ago I borrowed three pairs of IC from my local dealer, they are Blue Heaven 2, Heimdall 2 and tri-art, I have spent a week on them, I did not like Nodorst at all, especially Heimdall, too smooth, did not sound like real thing, actually I like Tri-art best, which is the cheapest one, it is not as smooth as Nodorst, but has texture which blue heaven or Heimdall both lacks, at the end I did not buy any of them, instead I bought two pairs from Taobao China, from a one man business store, not those copycats, the man has spent three years of developing this cable, because he and his friend had a bet,because his friend thought China cannot produce world class cable. Long story short, his cable won over those mega buck imported cables. during few blind tests. so I bought two pairs of those cables, they cost me $500 usd per meter,and they are excellent, I will take them to my dealer one day to compare to those cables cost few grand, it will be fun!

Have a Great Holiday season !!!

Dan

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on December 24, 2022 at 08:53:02
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Dantheman,

I've ever intention on buying one | yet doubt it'll be returned as I'd use in our bedroom setup or give it to a friend at a discounted price. I'd be nice however if you were to take a moment to list the contents of your system in the inmate system section | as knowing what's in use goes a long ways in actually showing others, what you're listening to said cables through.

It'd be nice if you were to share the two pairs of IC's you've settled on as well, as it seems many of us of late have come to the realization one doesn't have to spend upwards of $1.000 and over to find great sounding cables, via a more global search these days, there are bargains to be found, and while some my knock Chinese made products, as if many of us can actually afford the upper tier NordOst real items | or willing to buy $260 on a set of 4 Oyaide GBN or SRBN banana plugs from an American firm, of which I personally will not spend said extra $160, taking into account these same plugs can be purchased from sellers directly from Japan for $100, give or take..., greed or up charging isn't the way to gain any logical customers trust, or business.

There's cost..., and then there's an added cost atop that just for the sake of supporting a local firm, that cares less about someone's budget restrains | not here | I've far rather shop elsewhere every time.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on January 14, 2023 at 09:42:22
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002
 el34eh@yahoo.com:

Sorry for the late reply! Being busy since Christmas, have not had time to visit this forum until today! Please don't be surprised if you don't see my reply promptly, as I don't visit this forum everyday. The XLR cable I bought from Taobao Canada URL:https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z10.5-c-s.w4002-22297000879.39.26b93104mL5OqZ&id=693718418288. I don't know how to make it into a link. I have not compared it to other cables at dealer store, but will do it. I also have purchased his flagship speaker cable this month, I am burn them in at the moment.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on January 15, 2023 at 06:44:53
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
 Thanks.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on February 7, 2023 at 12:31:57
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003


Dantheman,

Being that I'm looking to buy a 1.5m length of your beloved Xangsane usb cable | still looking to add a fourth XLR pair of IC's, I should note I was never able to source the link you had for yours.

You'd have to go back to the site ( shop ) and then click onto the header just placed above it's shown site at the very top, click onto it, which should turn light blue and above that should read cut | copy of which you click onto either, yet pressing onto cut usually takes the entire link of which is then pasted onto your link or post here.

On the stated differences between the sterling silver Xangsane | Odin 2 usb cables, you mentioned it was smoother | I'm wondering as I've to assume it has settled into your system even more since your initial post, in your mind, do you still enjoy its overall sense of musicality?, as I've noticed they offer several different models of IC's ( both RCA | XLR ) which look promising as well. Just when I felt my quest had reached its end..., apparently curiosity has gotten the best of me.

Woe it's me.

I await said added insight | TIA!.
O_o scar

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on February 26, 2023 at 12:32:22
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002



Hi Oscar,

Have not visited here for more than a month until yesterday, sorry for the late reply! The XLR IC that I mentioned before, is a outstanding IC! See the cable image above. For about $500 usd one meter, it is much better than Nordost Heimdall 2, red dawn 2 that I have auditioned in my system! But have not taken it to dealer to compare to other higher priced ICs yet.

As to the silver Xangsane usb cable, it had many hours on it, fully broken in, takes many hours to break in, I guess need more than three hundred hours at least! It sounds much better than Odin silver 2. Last night I swapped silver Xangsane out to try Odin2, it has that overly emphasized details poured out into my face in a two dimensional manner, after few minutes I can't stand it have to pull it out and put Xangsane back, also Xangsane has better bass.

One thing I would like to mention is that pure silver in Chinese, google or other software will translate it to "sterling silver", and if I type STERLING SILVER, google translate it to PURE SILVER in Chinese. I found that same Xangsane silver usb at chinese Taobao site, that purity is 99.99%, it is considered pure silver, right? Since Aliexpress website does translation automatically, that was the part of the reason we see the word STERLING SILVER so often for describing pure silver.

The XLR IC URL that I provided previously seems don't work anymore, please try the link below. You probably need to use google Chrome translator to view it.



 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on February 26, 2023 at 13:52:43
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Hello Dantheman,

It's fine as I've weighed my way through a lot of these options | have decided to stay the course on items ( brands ) of which I've laying here | merely have to make an effort to place them into the system for more than a few tracks at a time.

Having fallen in love with the appearance of the Ataudio Odin XLR IC's ( which looks totally different than the standard NEARdost Chinese makes ) I've just purchased an unbalanced pair( shown above ) a few days ago, yet have ever intent of buying a 1.5m Xangsane usb cable | merely for the sake of curiosity | desire for something different sounding all together.

Thanks for sharing the link | explaining said process of sterling silver versus pure silver, from what I've learned since is said sterling silver is 925% purity, so while not as pure as straight silver at 99.99% or higher | it's still worth trying as opposed to not. I'm all over it.

Thanks again.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on February 26, 2023 at 17:35:39
Dantheman
Audiophile

Posts: 148
Joined: December 27, 2002
 Hi Oscar,

That ATaudio IC looks like Kimber 8TC, and looks impressive. Let us know your impression.

The IC that I bought, was mixed with pure silver and occ copper, most are silver, and combined with some round conductors, some ribbon and some square conductors. the sound is very open, detailed and layered, also very relaxed, soundstage is huge! at that price range, even much higher priced IC can beat it for the performance. Their speaker cable(flagship) is outstanding as well.

 

RE: PSA: Chinese Odin Gold USB Cable Problem, posted on February 26, 2023 at 18:31:51
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1936
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003




Hi Dantheman,

I came away very very very impressed with the sound as rendered by its XLR cable of the same design, which in hindsight made me say I had to pursue this one as well, as I only have the one integrated amp which allows me to use balanced IC's between it and the DAC.

I also went with one of those Chinese clones ( don't hate me ) Cardas Audio Clear CGA based RCA to XLR adapters, as both it and the real versions are made with brass as their base metal, I thought what the ay!.

Once again, it's wonderful discovering items like these before it's time to be called in for that final dirt nap, oh well not everyone can be as blessed as Conan McCloud ( Highlander | never die ).

 

Page processed in 0.032 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]