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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
wig's avatar
wig OP
1,202 posts
 
@ divertiti

Mines are right around 1.5M and are outfitted with KLE Silver Harmony based upon Williewonka extensive testing of the KLE plugs with SPDIF.

Wig
divertiti
223 posts
 
That's great to know, I only have 18ga unocc, do you think the shield/return needs to be thicker like 16ga?
wig's avatar
wig OP
1,202 posts
 
@ divertiti,

I have only used what Williewonka has recommended; 16 Ga as the Neutral. Let us know what you think after complete burn-in.

Wig
williewonka
3,071 posts
 
@divertiti - WRT; Cable length...

Since many people on this forum have reported better results wit cables longer than 1.5 meters you migfht think it would be the case with all cables.

However, we are talking about the Helix geometry with KLEI Harmony RCA plugs

The RCA plugs are what makes any SPDIF cable sound better, because with those you can get great performance even with a shorter cable.

Then factor in the Helix Geometry and you have yourself an extremely good cable

I have used Helix cables as a SPDIF link with the harmony RCA’s at 2 meter, 1 meter, and 0.5 meter, all identical wire and plugs and I could not tell the difference.

My last SPDIF was in my system for around 2 years and was the 0.5 meter version with
  1. Silver Harmony RCA’s
  2. SIGNAL: 1 x 24 gauge Neotech solid silver with Teflon insulation
  3. NEUTRAL: 1 x 16 gauge silver plated mil-spec wire

If I were to build one today, knowing what has been posted in this thread alone, I would probably fabricate as follows for the very best performance
  1. KLEI Absolute Harmony RCA’s
  2. SIGNAL: 2 x 18 gauge solid, bare UP-OCC twisted - inside a teflon tube
  3. An optional cotton sleeve over the Signal conductor assembly (personal preference)
  4. NEUTRAL: 1 x 16 gauge solid, bare UP-OCC with Teflon insulation
  5. and make it the length that suites your application
The only other option that may make a difference would be to use 2 x 18 gauge bare UP-OCC solid silver for the SIGNAL wire

Alas, I have to rely on others like @wig , for their excellent feedback and observations regarding SPDIF cables because I no longer have them in my system

Hope that helps - Steve


williewonka
3,071 posts
 
@divertiti  - WRT:  I only have 18ga unocc, do you think the shield/return needs to be thicker like 16ga?

Unless you are specifically performing  comparisons of wire you would not notice any difference there "might" be. Any difference would be miniscule

UP-OCC wire is amazing stuff, so there would be very little if any difference between 16 gauge and 18 gauge when used for the neutral

Use the 18 gauge - it will sound fantastic !

Regards - Steve
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