Bulk power cables suggestions

If you haven’t read through the forum Williewonka started on the double helix design it includes comments on different cable wire that the guys have used.

@abolive - RE:...

There is DIY and DIY. I guess making a cable from scratch implies a lot of trials and costly errors for an incertain result in the end, but choosing bulk cables and connectors can perhaps ensure a certain level of quality at a fair price, even if not as good as renowned products.

The thread @facten has mentioned above, not only has lots of great information on the various wires the many members have tried and found to provide extremely high levels of performance.

It also has comments from members as to the performance level of the Helix Cables compared to some of the top brands on the market, such as TOTL Nordost and Inakustik cables, that cost thousands of dollars for each cable (or pair).

The Helix cables are among the very best available, DIY OR Commercial Products -  i.e. provided you use the recommended wires and and follow the construction details.

They provide exceptional imaging, articulation, clarity, dynamics, with a deep textured bass WITHOUT adding colour and they do that across a myriad of systems

Granted, they are a little more expensive than many DIY cables, but they are a fraction of the cost of the commercial brands.

You also have the opportunity to build them using the wires you choose, in order to achieve a cable that fits YOUR budget and still performs to a higher level than most commercial brands.

But if you think I my opinion of the abilities of the Helix might be a little "one sided" 

• then please, read the comments from the many other Audiogon members, like @Wig and @Grannyring that have tried them, together with their own adaptions of the design
• read what brands/cables some members have replaced
• see how the members are now contributing to the continued Helix development story

Please take the time to read through this link - if just for the last couple of pages
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/duelund-conversion-to-diy-helix-geometry-cabling

Even if you do not build the Helix cables, there is some good  information on how the insulation and the types of wire improves performance and which are the better ones to use.

It takes the guesswork out of DIY, because we have already "been there and done that"

Hope you find what you are looking for

Regards - Steve





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I've also had good luck with building cables with DH Labs bulk cable - both Power Plus and Red Wave. You can get 10% off just by signing up to their email list, but they often have sales for 25% or more off their bulk cable if you are patient. 

I've experimented with a few different connectors from Furutech, Wattgate, Sonarquest and HifiKing. I think the Furutech and Wattgate connectors are worth the extra cost if you are using better quality cable. The Wattgate connectors, in particular, are easier to use with heavier gauge cable like the Red Wave (10 awg). 

Some of the higher priced Furutech bulk cables are also excellent, but are more than you indicated you wanted to spend. 

I am going to have to disagree on the Wattgate recommendation. If you are at an absolute low budget, the Wattgate are decent for the money as long as you get the "Classic" series. DO NOT get the EVO series because they use hex-head screws for the wire clamping and you WILL strip the hex insert the first time you try to tighten it down. The Wattgate use brass conductors and can come across a bit harsh. If you have to spend under $20 a plug, these are probably the only option.

I would recommend the Furutech FI-15(R) Plus connectors. They are absolutely excellent and have the same exact rhodium plated conductor/clamp assemblies that are found in the more expensive plugs. They just use a flexible plastic outer shell (but you’ll notice that the shell/case screws are still connected to ground). They are only about $62 each. I use them frequently (but I also have the really expensive NCF plugs). The only downside is the FI-15 Plus won’t support some of the very thick cables (it allows up to 15mm thick cables).

I will second melm's suggestion of the Viborg 1606, combined with the top of the line Viborg plugs, either unplated or with the plating of your choice depending on your subjective listening preferences. I used the unplated copper versions as I wanted the most neutral presentation. 

Also had the cable and connectors cryoed at minimal cost. 

Have used DH Labs in the past, as well as JPS Labs in-wall and the DIY Viborg's I have now are in another league altogether and noticeably better. 

When I was building the Viborg's I loaned out a DIY JPS Labs terminated with the budget ($25 pair male & IEC) Viborg unplated copper connectors to a friend of mine with a much better system and he thought the DIY JPS/Viborg combo sounded very similar or equal to a Nordost Brahma that he was using. He felt a bit sheepish about that as the Brahma was about $1200 vs. about $100 that I had into the JPS that I loaned him. 

The Viborgs that I've built are much better than that IMO.