Duelund conversion to DIY Helix Geometry Cabling


I have been an avid user of the Duelund cabling for over two years now and have used them exclusively in my system with great results. I have built many for friends and have used a full loom of interconnects, speaker cables, power cords and an extensive wiring modification for a previously owned balanced power conditioner utilizing Duelund 600V PolyCast wiring which was transformative. My cabling desires can be a little addictive as I have owned and evaluated 40+ brands of cabling costing more than an entire stereo system!

Over the past six months I stumbled upon a thread here on Audiogon in regards to a Helix designed cabling and as you probably already know, I just had to look a little deeper into this cable design…After a month of studying and sourcing parts, I decided to reach out to the designer/architect, Williewonka who gave more insights and philosophy on how the cable came into existence.

That conversation got the ball rolling in converting one of my KLE Duelund interconnects to Steve’s Helix designed which only entailed replacing the neutral with a Mil-Spec 16 AWG silver-plated copper wire with the neural wire being 3 times longer than the signal wire and of course the “Coiling” of the neutral wire : )

After the modification was complete, I was not sure what to expect from the Helix cabling but I was quite shocked with the results with “ZERO” burn-in time…The sound stage became much wider/deeper with a much tighter/focused image and clarity/transparency is like nothing I have ever heard in any cabling regardless of cost. In fact, I just sold a full loom of a commercially designed Helix Cable that’s renowned around the world and has more direct sale than any cable manufacturer; these $200 DIY Helix Cables walked all over them…

I believe you will hear the same results as I have and have heard back from friends who have already modified their Duelunds with the same results; WOW! Remember the cables will need 200+ hours to burn-in and settle into your system. My system is now 90% DIY Helix to include IC, SC, PC and Coax with each cabling adding its beauty of an organic and natural presentation that draws you into the fabric of the music.

You can tailor the sound of your cables using Duelund, Mundorf silver/1% gold, the outstanding Vh Audio OCC Solid Copper or Silver with Airlok Insulation or your favorite wiring and you can change it at any time…

 

http://www.image99.net/blog/files/category-diy-cables.html

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/difference-in-sound-between-copper-and-silver-digital-cables

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/adding-shielding-to-existing-cables

 

Enjoy,

Wig


128x128wig
Thank you guys.  I also found these XLR male/female connectors. The site says pure copper contacts not sure if the pins are pure copper or just copper plating. Have anyone tried the DH Labs XLR

https://silversonic.com/products/connectors/ultimate-xlr/
I have not tried them and while I like DH Labs products for their value, it looks like (from reading) that the pins are not plated, just pure copper
- this can lead to oxidation in the future, which will degrade signal transfer.

I prefer silver plated contacts because
  • the silver plating prevents the copper from oxidizing
  • while silver plating does tarnish over time, the tarnish is only microns thick and can be removed simply by reseating the plug 
  • this is NOT the case with copper - they may require a more robust cleaning approach
  • and I am yet to have to clean any of my silver plated connectors after 10 years of everyday use
Hope that helps - Steve


The Conductor Pins on these XLR Plugs as shown in the Links are in keeping with the Wire Choices being made within this thread.
There is Plating as an option to have additional protection as referred to as the preferred choice.
Not a Cheap Option on OCC at £ 90 for a M/F pair.

https://www.futureshop.co.uk/atlas-3-pin-occ-male-xlr-plug

https://www.analogueseduction.net/xlr-plugs-attenuators-and-adaptors/atlas-all-cu-xlr-plugs.html

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174569381798?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338722076&toolid=10001





@pindac - thanks for the links

The first one is "corrosion resistant" OFC or OCC copper - no mention of plating
Atlas 3 Pin OCC Male XLR Plug | Future Shop

The second one has the silver plating over OCC copper pins
Atlas All Cu XLR Plugs - Analogue Seduction

The third one is Rhodium plate over pure copper
Viborg Pure Copper Rhodium Plated XLR Connector Plug Audio balance 3pin M & F | eBay

The second one would be my choice, but the others also seem a very good choice

Regards - Steve