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

@lemonhaze - I really liked your post above :-)

I am surprised you got the response you did. I have tried similar comparisons, with mixed results, rangnig from..

  1. making up all sorts of obscure advantages of the cables they sell - or...
  2. I had two guys frantically trying different amps and speakers, amazed at the improvements they were hearing with the Helix

RE: the RCA plugs...

  • sonic craft still has the Absolute Harmony and there are a few others
  • I notice on the KLE site the PURE 22 and the PERFECT 22 - either of these would be excellent

What would the improvements be? - I would imagine details and dynamics

I have not tried them because I amhappy with what I have and the additional expence of replacing my Absolute Harmonywould not be worth the improvement

 

I'll get back to you on the power connectors - right now I have to run, sorry

@lemonhaze -Apologies for the fragmented response.

I still like the following silver plated copper mains connector products - in order of preference...

  1. SonarQuest
  2. Viborg
  3. Vanguard - on Ebay

I also like the Carbon fiber look and they clamp better, but they tend to be expensive, so I found more affordable approach is to...

  1. buy the cheapest plug from one the three brands mentions
  2. then I also buy the cheapest Cabon fiber connector from the more obscure and affordable brands
  3. Swap the Carbon fiber shell to the more expensive brand plugs

Last time I tried this I saved $70 on a mains pair., but from what I have just seen, the price of the carbon fiber versions have come down a lot, so it might not be cheeper

I use the unused plug/housing for various extension cords around the house or on power cables for my guitar gear.

I generally purchase from the Ebay merchant Enjoy HiFi because they are reliable, fast and for some reason they manage to bypass Canadian Customs

I’ve never had a problem swapping the housing, but some "named" brands may not fit - But If you purchase them from Ebay, they all tend to use the same design

Hope that helps - Steve

 

 

I am not sure what’s going on but TFA and PCX have been out of some of our favorite sizes of MIL Spec Silver Coated and UPOCC wires. The offer and availabilty have been less and less for many months now. Is there a supp’y chain issue for these type of wires?

In relation to RCA connectors, I have been very familiar with the Low Mass models from the Brands commonly selected.

My being an advocate took on a profound shift in a alternate way of thinking when having experienced Low Eddy design RCA's as both Cable Termination and Chassis Mounted with PC Triple C Wire.

I have no doubts in my suggesting, strongly suggesting, these connector types used as experienced by myself, will enable any Cable in use, to offer its most optimised performance.  

@williewonka, Hi Steve I have a pair of Sonarquest IEC connectors silver plated in a clear plastic/poycarbonate housing and thinking I might try their silver schuko plug unless you recommend a different plating. As I have mentioned my system is a little on the lean side of neutral so perhaps I should avoid rhodium.

The first PC build will be for source components using 2x18awg solid silver with either 1x14awg Neotech in ptfe solid occ copper or 1x14awg stranded from TFA.

Your thoughts please.