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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
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
@svampebob - many thanks for the very positive feedback :-)

But really, I consider myself just the scribe, because there have been many people from around the world and also from this very forum, that are responsible for getting the cables to this level of performance.

The efforts from everyone have been amazing and the Helix cables would not be so effective without their contributions.

Continuing feedback also provides insights that provides information about how the cables work across a very broad range of components.
  • e.g. we now know the cables do not perform their best with certain components that follow a symmetrical balanced design approach

This is a great example of what can be achieved via collaboration
  • so KUDO's  to "The HELIX Team" !

I very much appreciate all of the feedback and the sharing of knowledge

Regards - Steve


tecknik
483 posts
 
Williewonka

After reading this thread and your website several times I discovered the Jantzen wire for neutral was also recommended which I was able to find here in Vietnam, I’m an expat retired and you just don’t go down to a radio shack or order online and puff your item shows up in a couple of days it doesn’t work that way in s.e Asia and yes I agree with your description between the zip cord and quality wire. 
Regarding wire being wound counter clockwise doesn’t wire that has been soldered need to be broken in again ( thought I read that somewhere and it certainly sounds that way when I’ve done that in the past ) and re winding the wire would require break in again of at least 50 hrs.

Currently both dc cables have 96 hrs after installation of the Jantzen 16 g wire and are sounding very good indeed.

Thank you
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
@tecknik - RE:
Regarding wire being wound counter clockwise doesn’t wire that has been soldered need to be broken in again ( thought I read that somewhere and it certainly sounds that way when I’ve done that in the past ) and re winding the wire would require break in again of at least 50 hrs.
It depends how critical your system and ears are :-)
  • but generally, yes, additional burn in is beneficial
  • even if I "reseat" (i.e. disconnect/reconnect) a broken-in cable, I have found that allowing 24 hours to settle before critical listening proved beneficial.
Also, I am very glad to hear the DC cables are providing sonic improvements

Regards - Steve

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quanghuy147
79 posts
 
Hi everyone, 
Steve suggested not to use Helix Speakers cable for amplifiers employ a Symmetrical, Complimentary, or Balanced outputs. Some of the names are: 
  • Accuphase E-303
  • Anthem - Some Models
  • Atma-Sphere - all models
  • Audio Research - Some Models
  • Ayre - all models
  • Balanced Audio Technology
  • BAT VK-255SE
  • Boulder 500AE
  • D’Agostino - Some Models
  • Musical Fidelity - High End Models
  • Pass Labs
  • PS Audio BHK Signature 300
  • Vitus
  • Yamaha some models
http://www.image99.net/blog/files/category-002a-helix-q-0026-a.html

Currently I am using Helix Speakers cable with my Single Ended Tube amp. However, I'm going need a Solid State amplifier with high output (300 watt/channel/ 8 ohm). 

My question is which brand and model that can be used with Helix Speakers Cables, could someone give me some names? 

Thank you.
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
@Guanghuy - here are some
  • Bryston
  • Simaudio Moon
  • Gryphon
  • Parasound
  • Primare
  • Acoustic Arts

The list is pretty long. The better way to approach this is to select an amp and then look for one of these keywords in the details
  1. symmetrical
  2. differential
  3. balanced

Or you can simply post your selected amp here and I will get back to you with an answer,

Also look at the brands in my list that are identified as "Some models" because it tends to be only their very TOTL models that use the symmetrical differential approach 

If anyone else is using the Helix with their solid state amps please post the brand/model here

There is a growing trend in the use of Symmetrical balanced architecture, so this list maybe somewhat "fluid" 

Hope that helps

Regards - Steve
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