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

It is for power cords. I built some power cords and they are breaking in. I will report back. This wire can be used speaker cable, however compared to the cotton 12ga it will not sound as open, real, and lively due to the synthetic covering.

Hi @grannyring ,

Duelund 600volt 20 avg can be used for headphones cables. Cotton isolation is not as durable as plastic one.

I'm also thinking about to upgrade 50 cm long run of cables from RCA inputs to input selector in my 300B integrated SET. Now I use a twisted pair cable made from Neotech Wire 22awg LEGENBURG Rectangular wire.

1. I think the Duelund 16AVG will be difficult to install to input selector switch because width of this wire. (I need to solder 16 wires to this thin switch).

2. And Duelund 20AVG can be sound too lean and hollow.

3. So, I think that 600 volt version of 20AVG can sound more like Belden 8402, not as open and detailed like the cotton version of Duelund 20AVG but more balanced.

4. I also can leave Legenburg Rectangular as is. It is very good sounding wire. It has smooth, bloom and clean sound. But it is not as detailed and good in instrument separation and sound-stage like Duelund cables.

Regards,
Alex.

I was only speaking of the 12 gauge and my experience. Sorry I was not clearer. I assume the same differences will apply to the 20 gauge, but I did not test. 

Hi @grannyring ,

I understood you.
You wrote: " compared to the cotton 12ga it will not sound as open, real, and lively due to the synthetic covering".
What I want to say, these drawbacks may do a sound of synthetic covering 20ga more balanced compared to lean sounding 20ga cotton version.

Regards,
Alex.

I agree that the 16 gauge is more full bodied than the 20 gauge and I only use the 16 gauge in my ICs.  Not sure I would call the 20 gauge in cotton thin sounding however? I simply find synthetic coverings and shielding do darken or dull the sound of the tinned wire, not make it more balanced.