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
Hey Steve, Thanks for the update. I was ready to pull the trigger on a copper build. Your comments may sway me toward the silver. I’m planning an XLR version, assuming you would use two silver conductors for the signal wires and the 16awg for the Helix neutral. Also thinking about a hybrid version that uses Chris’ v-quad wire and then do a helix wrap.
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@williewonka The Speaker Cables being adopted by the other converts are Solid Core SAEC which I have learned has an increased gauge to my supply, which has a 0.9mm (19 awg) diameter Solid Core wire. I will PM later with a link attached for the Wire I use, that is easy to obtain, a couple of the stranded wire types has proven difficult to acquire. If this wire is off interest, it will be worthwhile looking at D.U.C.C, as I am using this wire and CCC as standard assembly RCA Interconnects, the D.U.C.C offers a slight perception of adding a hint of richness when compared to PC Triple C, but has proved to be more more attractive that OCC interconnects, especially for the differences noticed to quietness and smearing. I found D.U.C.C really stood out when used on my digital source. |
@pindac - where do you buy this wire? I have only found both the wires you talk about listed as Mains bulk cables - which is much larger than required for interconencts. Are you using DUCC for Interconnects? 0 if so, do you seperate strands to get a finer gauge? Unfortunately the PM function does not allow links like the forums do, so you should post any links here Regards - Steve |
@mbolek - re:
The Vquad wire has a lot of insulation - and its the insulaton that impacts clarity and details in all cables. Whilst I was initially aprehensive about usnig silver wire for the signal wires due to fears of cost vs. performance - the improvements in performance with the solid silver wire was very noticeable - even before any break-in. For interconencts - 5N Solid Silver UP-OCC bare wire is now my first choice and recommendation. Regards - Steve
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