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
I replaced the 5 runs of VH Audio 18 gauge on the live conductor for the power cord used on my conditioner. I replaced with two runs of the Neotech 12 gauge solid core copper in Teflon. I left the Teflon in place. Yes indeed this was a significant upgrade in sound. No doubt. Wonderful.

I will do the same on the power cord to my SS Coda amplifier next. I figure the VH Audio is fine on the dac and streamer so I will leave those alone. I will use two runs of Neotech 12 gauge in Teflon for the live conductor in the amp’s power cord.
Wow.  The more I listen, the more impressed I am. More at ease, better sense of control, larger stage, better focus, greater bottom end solidity.  
@grannyring 

That's awesome and exactly what I noticed, everything has a sense of fluidity and effortless flow...

Wig : )
This is the best read on Audiogon. Great information. I wish i could build some of these cables but i no longer have steady hands.
@wig + @grannyring - Glad you are still finding improvements :-)

POWER CABLE UPDATE...

So I had some Neotech 12 gauge left over and decided to upgrade the live conductor on one of my A/V power cables.

NOTE: I did NOT remove the insulation of the Neotech wire as I have with other PC’s

But before installing it in my A/V system, I figured I would try it out on my Bluesound Node 2i streamer - which originally had a PC with a 1 x 18 gauge Solid Silver wire from VH Audio.

One again, the 12 gauge Neotech outperformed the VH Audio wire...
- larger more spacious and accurate image
- improved bass detail and texture
- improved clarity and details

It seems there was no impact to clarity and details, so for safety and longevity I will be using the Neotech wire WITH its Teflon Insulation from now on.

What about the existing cables with bare Neotech wire?
- the copper seems to be holding up very well on the cables where I have removed the insulation
- I keep a piece of bare wire on my audio stand to see how it tarnishes
- my cables have a clear PVC tube over the bare wire so I can see it
- the bare wire on the audio stand has started to darken
- the bare wire inside the tube is still very bright

It seems that provided you seal the ends of the tube using heat-shrink (with adhesive) it will slow the oxidizing process.

But since it appears to make very little difference in sound quality - leave the Teflon in place :-)

Regards