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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
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,525 posts
 
When building ICs with these KLE Innovation plugs consider  the following aids and techniques. 

- use WBT 4% silver solder. I like the leaded one better.  Just wash your hands after and use a fan/filter to keep the smoke away from your nostrils. 

- use an old piece of gear or some $10 Goodwill CD player etc... to plug your KLEI male connector into.  This makes it so much easier to solder.  The jack is now hands free secured and won’t budge! 

- make sure you have a good soldering iron. Preferably one that offers variable heat settings.   Set it to 800 - 850 degrees.  Yes this hot. You want to get in and out fast.....2 seconds. 

- tin the bare VH Audio wire. I find it not necessary to tin the forked tab. 

The 18 gauge VH Audio wire should rest inside the fork portion of the KLEI tab with a little bit of the stripped  wire protruding past (over) the forked tab. I like to place a little weight onto the wire a few inches down from the from the solder point. This holds the stripped wire down with pressure against the forked tab. I rest a set of pliers over the wire to accomplish this. 

Time to solder.  Get in and out in 2 seconds or so with your very hot soldering iron. Use very little solder.  Just enough to assure a strong connection. You don’t want to see blobs or areas where the solder is thick. 
corelli
1,016 posts
 
Thanks for the above pointers gentleman.

I have been listening to my very short 17" IC's using 18g VH copper, single run on both legs, for the last day.  Furutech 111g plugs with ProGold, set screw termination.

Was skeptical at first but these really are nice.  Compared to the Supra EFF-1 cables I have, these seem more dynamic, detailed, less confused sound.  Bass has more authority.  A very balanced and natural sound.  Thanks for sharing this info guys.  A great value, fun project.

One concern.  These cables can vibrate like a spring. That can't be good. Makes me wonder if some cotton tubing on the signal conductor might dampen this tendency.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
If you're using solid core wire for the signal, does it matter whether the neutral is wound clockwise or anticlockwire?  I'd assume not.
williewonka
3,082 posts
 
@twoleftears - the Mil Spec wire used for the neutral is stranded and the strands will cross the signal wire at a less acute angle in one direction, as opposed to the opposite direction.

So which way is clockwise vs. counter clockwise depends on your "perspective"

If you are looking down the winding of a finished cable from the end, then the coil rotates in a CLOCKWISE direction as it winds away from you.

vs.

If you are looking at how the wire is wound around the signal wire then it is wound in a COUNTER CLOCKWISE direction

If you are using a double stranded solid signal conductor then twist the wires in a clockwise direction

if you used a single solid wire for both signal and neutral, then likely the direction of the coil would not matter

Here’s a link to some close-up pics - I use the term Counter Clockwise on this page for the correct direction
http://www.image99.net/blog/files/b4d5249616a56bdabfd28b5580db6cec-79.html

Regards - Steve

williewonka
3,082 posts
 
A quick update on mains plugs...

I’ve never really been picky with plugs
- performance is all that matters
- so I buy the basic Sonarquest silver plated copper plugs with the plastic housing.

But after seeing @wig ’s very nice carbon fiber plugs on the stunning black/white power cable he built - I decided to give them a try.

OUCH !!! - the Sonarquest Silver Plated Carbon Fibre plugs on Ebay are $130US a pair (you might find them for $120/pair)
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/GK-Grade-SONARQUEST-Carbon-Fiber-Silver-Plated-Audio-Grade-US-power-plug-IEC...

So I looked around for a more "frugal" solution...

I found this set for $40US/pair
- but they are NOT silver plated copper
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Carbon-Fiber-Rhodium-Plated-US-Power-Plug-Power-Connector-IEC-Plug/202679851071?hash=item2f30a9183f:g:jCoAAOSw8oFX0Qz1

BUT - the regular Sonarquest silver plated plugs are only $33.50/Pair
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/SONAR-QUEST-CRYO-Ag-Audio-Grade-Silver-plated-IEC-plug-US-main-plug-sonarquest/181355696313?hash=item2a39a450b9:g:J~oAAOxyhXRTKcHi

So if you buy both Silver plated Sonarquest + the Carbon fiber plugs and swap the barrels over
-  you save $56.50 US per pair over the $130 version

But would the carbon fiber barrels fit the basic Sonarquest plugs ???
- the answer is YES ! - they do indeed

Granted - you now have some spare plugs on your hands
- but if you are like me, I always have some cables that can use them
- e.g. like a second or third audio system :-)

How good is the vendor Enjoyhifi? - the plugs arrived in Canada after only 9 days - normally takes 3-4 weeks from other vendors in China

So why do I fuss with better looking plugs after all this while?
- I have some Helix cables that I use for my guitar amps that require a more robust clamping system and the barrel on the carbon fiber plugs are about 1/2" longer, so they do a better job of clamping the cable further back.

But they do look sweet on my Audio System Helix power cables as well :-)

What I really like about these plugs is the section that houses the cable clamp unscrews, so you can easily remove that additional part of the clamp assembly provided for thinner power cables - PLUS - it also makes it really easy to install.

I also tried this plug and it also works with the Sonaquest plug, but it’s not quite as fancy looking :-).
- BTW: I cannot vouch for the Krell Authenticity
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Audio-Grade-Rhodium-plated-US-Power-Plug-Male-Female-Connector-hifi/202679851105?hash=item2f30a91861:g:b60AAOSwJRxbPHsZ

Here’s hoping someone can take advantage of these savings

Regards - Steve










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