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
@williewonka - Added a pic to my system folder. I paired based on "adjacent". Although, based on the quad twist, it might actually look like opposite?? I do have some Viborg solid core OFC PCs. At some point I'll try a solid sore OCC Helix version. Going to focus on these XLRs for the near term.... |
@williewonka, I think your journey isn’t over yet because you haven’t tried rectangular silver wires. Some people say they sound even better. |
@zlib - despite what others may believe - there are limits to my cable obsession 🤪 The only reason I can think square wire would improve things is the increase in effective gauge. But you have planted a seed - only time will tell 👍 Cheers |
I eagerly await the report on the PC Triple C XLR Build that is imminently to be produced by @mbolek This is where my interest lies and it will be good to see the Pioneer Wire used for the Cable produced and put to service. |
The Ultimate Helix DIY Cable - Update - i.e. after 200 hours Break-in! The two "Ultimate" cables were constructed much the same as the normal Helix Air cables with the following "variation"
Even during initial listening sessions these cables sounded amazingly good and it was very hard to distinguish anything between them i.e. on my system. They have now both had about 200 hours of use and I find it difficult to discern any improvements compared to their initial auditions.
So breaking down their performance... Dynmics
Image
Clarity and details
These cables "persuaded me" to go through my albums searching out details never before heard
These cables are well worth the expense of the 5N solid silver UP-OCC bare wire. But as it turns out - the Double/Single, that uses 1 x 16 gauge UP-OCC wire with Teflon insulation for the neutral sounds every bit s good as the Double/Double, with 2 x 18 gauge wire (in Teflon tubes) - so it is more affordable and easier to construct.
That’s about it - give them a try - I don’t think you will dissapointed Regards - Steve |
