Duelund DCA 12ga Hookup Wire


Just tried Duelund DCA 12ga on speakers (2 pairs TRUE bi-wiring) and VERY VERY impressed with SQ especially for the price. Now thinking building XLR ICs with either 20ga or 26ga ...

Questions for DIY members:

1. Do I just use 3 runs and solder them to positions 1, 2 and 3 on connectors?
2. Any specially weaving patterns on the wires?
3. Any suggestions using different wire for ground?
4. Any suggestions 20ga or 26ga?
5. Other suggestions?

joecasey
Did you try your build with and without Flexo or the Techflex product you referred to above? I wonder if it dulled or darkened the sound in any way?
No, I have not tried it both ways so I couldn't say.  I like the idea of the vibration-damping properties of the special Flexo Noise Reduction wrap and the thickness helps space the braid shield away from the signal conductors, which is generally considered a good thing.  I know there are people who like less complexity so they don't shield their cables, and some who even think the two signal conductors are all that is needed, without even the ground.   Most manufactured cables are shielded and most of those pass ground by connecting the shield at both ends.  The idea of a "floating" shield is to draw any interference back to the source end but since the ground is connected at both ends one could argue it may be just as good to connect the shield to pin 1 at both ends and forego the ground wire.
Thanks @mitch2 .   I agree with your interest in anti vibration damping in cables.  I am solidly in the camp that no shield sounds best and even not using synthetic outer sleeving....just silk or cotton.  I have come to this conclusion by building and testing the two options and listening very carefully over and over. Shielding always seems to darken and generally mess with the natural tone. I will test the Flexo in and out of the same cable.  Interesting product.  




@grannyring .   I'm going to build XLR with 2 16ga runs so can you recommend a braided copper shield and sellers?

BTW, I did twists the 12ga speaker wires.

Thanks!
Yes,  twist the wires on pins 2 and 3.  Just use some nice 1/4 inch copper braid from sellers like Amazon or Parts Connextion etc....

Make sure the braid is pulled up as close as possible to your xlr plug solder connections.