Hook-up Wire: Duelund DCA16GA vs Neotech STDCT-16 vs Cardas 15.5 AWG

Hi @pumpweel ,
I had some such experience before.
I used LEGENBURG 22ga for tonearm to MC step-up transformers interconnect cable.
I changed it to Duelund 20ga cotton version.
At first Duelund sounded cooler with less midrange bloom. But separation, soundstage, transparency, high frequencies extension - everything was better with Duelund.
After some beck-in time, Duelund started sound lusher too.
But MC cartridge interconnect works with very small signal and with integrated amplifier input signal this wire can behave a little bit different.

I also made interconnect cables with  Duelund 20ga and 16ga.
20avg sounded faster and brighter.
16ga sounded more balanced, fuller with more information in low mid-range and upper bass and very natural, lush vocals.

Regards,
Alex.

Yesterday I updated cables from Werner Jagush crossovers to Altec 604"E" speakers.
I used Belden 9497 and I update it by Duelund Sn-Co DCA16GA.
I use 16ga cable for both mid-base and compression drivers.
Despite zero break-in time Duelund cables sounded notably more transparent, more refined with much more low level detail. I also noticed more open and airy sound from Duelund cables. I don’t noticed a big difference in general tonal balance and vividness.
So  @grannyring is right - cotton insulation is much better for SQ compared to plastic one.
The difference of sound between Belden 9497 and Duelund DCA16GA id very clear.
For me was much more difficult to compare Belden 8402 interconnect to Duelund DCA20GA because totally different tonal balance. Belden 8402 has more right tonal balance for my test.

Has anyone used Kimber Kable? How are sound impressions?

Hi @pumpweel ,

I compared two pairs of interconnects.

One is built from a twisted pair of Duelund DCA20GA 1m length.

The second built from a twisted pair of 22awg LEGENBURG Rectangular 0.5m.

Both cables are with Swithcraft RCA connectors.

I did comparison using interconnects from my Chord Qutest DAC to 300B integrated amplifier.

Interconnects build from Duelund sound more open, vivid, dynamic, with much more realistic tone. On other hand, LEGENBURG interconnects sound more refined and with more small level detail resolution. LEGENBURG midrange bloom coloration irritated me on classical piano record. Duelund tone was is much more on point on every kind of records.

This comparison made me want to upgrade internal wire to Duelund in my 300B integrated.

It has 50cm wires between input RCA and source select switch.

But it is too much job. I need at least 3 hours that nobody will disturb or interrupt me.

I’m am to busy now with my work and family ...

I did another comparison between 

Duelund DCA20GA and 22awg LEGENBURG Rectangular interconnect.

As test record I used Schubert quintet D956  with Jascha Heifetz, William Primrose, Gregor Piatigorsky.

Legenburg sounds smoother with better instrument separation. On other hand, Duelund DCA20GA gives drama, dynamic, energy that is almost completely missed with Legenburg cable.