Duelund conversion to DIY Helix Geometry Cabling

@dbass - the solder you have chosen is very good, so it will provide great performance sonically.

The main reason I specified WBT 4% silver on my web site was to get the point across that a "quality solder" should be used..

When I first started using the KLE Innovations RCA plugs I did notice a sonic improvement when I switched from the solder I purchased from the local hardware store, to the WBT.

I now use a  Eutectic solder instead of WBT and have not noticed any degradation in sound quality and the joints are very reliable

Because of the rapid state change from liquid to solid, the  Eutectic solders make a better joint both electrically and mechanically
- By comparison, the WBT solder does not transform as quickly and can result in a poor joint if your hand is a little shaky, like mine

Regards - Steve

@williewonka thank you for sharing your experiments and @wig as well for your findings.
I am ready to build a 1.3m long Helix interconnect and think I'll go for the Mundorf variation.
A quick question:
-- the signal wire is 1mm (18g) silver;
-> what do you recommend for the neutral / return wire?
Regards

Would it be wrong to point out that you have pretty much built an inductor?  This geometry will not reduce magnetic interference by the way, it would probably make it worse. This is how spark plug wires are wound in order to create high inductance in order to reduce transmission of high frequencies in the wire itself.


If this provides you more listening enjoyment, then absolutely you should do it, but you should also be cognizant of what you are creating.


w.r.t. a power cord, contrary to what many believe, inductance in a power cord is probably better in many cases. Those high "peaks" they carry high frequencies that the power supply is not great at filtering. Amplifiers usually have inductive filters on the AC to soften those peaks.

@gregm - I use the 16 gauge Mil-spec as listed on my web site with the Mundorf wire and it works extremely well.

If oyu use any thicker gauge then it would be difficult to attach the RCA housing because the finished cable is too thick.

Regards - Steve

@roberttdid - I have been advised by many in the past of the points you have posted above (and more) and have been "ridiculed" in my approach and design.

Many people on the various forums where the helix design have been discussed would "appear" to have significantly more electrical knowledge than myself, but their comments are purely conjecture, since none of them have actually tried the cables for themselves at the time they made the comments

Most high end commercial products are designed by people with far more knowledge/experience about cable design than myself, in labs with huge amounts of resources.

And yet, my cables continue to outperform many of the high end commercial products available.

WRT Your comment about the coil not reducing magnetic interference - I tried a simple test back in time, to verify the effectiveness of the Helix coil for this purpose...
- I selected my phono stage on my amp
- I turned the volume to full
- I held in my clenched fist a standard power cable and a Helix IC connecting the TT to the phono stage
- I observed hum
- I repeated the same process but using the helix power cable and the same Helix IC
- the hum was reduced significantly to almost zero

So, I concluded (rightly or wrongly) that the helix coil was having the same effect as a faraday cage in reducing EMI/RFI - perhaps I am wrong, but my ears told me otherwise.

I would love to partner up with someone that has the , knowledge experience and equipment to be able to measure the effectiveness of these cables, so I could explain WHY these cables work so well, but until then I will continue to trust my ears.

One of the "side effects" of implementing the Helix cables across an entire system that I have observed...
- the solid state components tend to run noticeably cooler.
- I actually measure the reduced heat output and for source components they can run 3-4 Celsius cooler
- and my amp runs 5-6 degrees Celsius cooler.

Why? - I do not know, but I see reduced heat as a good side effect

If you can shed any "light" as to why the cables work so well I would be more than willing to listen, since my reasoning’s are not verified by actual measurement, or as some like to point out - a lack of sound electrical knowledge

BTW - I have posted capacitance and inductance values for the various cables on my web site
http://image99.net/blog/files/0e1ba96cb878bd4ad7c14097b25d258a-82.html

Also, many thanks for your very civil post (honestly) - most people that "disagree" with the Helix design just say I am posting nonsense and should not be believed. (or words to that effect).


Regards - Steve