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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
mbolek
164 posts
 

@mbolek The Threads been quiet for a while, I have a question for you.

Did you receive your PC CCC  Wire Order?

If yes, has it been used and you have formed an assessment of it.

I have now been able to have been demonstrated the wire in use, from Source to Speaker on a friends system who I introduced to the wire.

The Vinyl LP as a Source on my friends system, now has developed to the wire being in use as an internal Tonearm Cable, Interconnects with Selected Low Eddy Connections on the Cables and Phonostage Chassis, Internal Phonostage Hook Up wire and the Power Cord, the Speaker Cables are also using the same wire.

This is a system I am very familiar with, and when presented as the system owner had wanted it to be heard, it was without doubt, the best I have ever heard this system.

I was gobsmacked at how a Cable that sounded very good when demonstrated, was shown to be presenting as quite inferior when compared to the same Cable ng with a different RCA Connector, especially a RCA selected for the Low Eddy Properties. This is indescribable and is needed to be experienced.

When the exchanges were carried out, the Low Eddy Signal Path was able to present Notes and Vocals with a Envelope Shaping, in a manner I don't ever recall being able to perceive.

The system owner has also made it known, the wire has created such a positive impression, if the wire could be discovered to be purchased in a gauge to suit a MC Coil, they would send a Ortofon Cart' away as a Donor Cart', to a rebuild service, to have the Aucurum Wire replaced with it. That is quite a serious move toward this wire type in anybody's assessment. 

The wire is available in very fine gauge 0.03mm as a Screening Mesh, but is only found in assembled cables, a 0.18mm is the finest I know of in a stranded wire. 

Finally received the Acoustic Revive PC CCC.  I'll look at building a Helix based XLR and see how it compares to one of Steve's variations.  I don't think I strip off the insulation and just pull the conductors apart and do a simple twist for +/- signal. Ground using the Helix wrap.  Will use AECO XLRs.

Each conductor is 19awg, so don't know if this one would be a good candidate for speaker cables.  

 

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,500 posts
 

@mbolek I look forward to your report on the usage of the wire. 

lewinskih01
907 posts
 

I'm very happy with a pair of Helix Image Air RCA interconnects (per the recipe, except XLRs on one end) and power cable. Both connected into my 45-type single-ended triode amp. The PC is connected to the wall (with Oyaide recptacle), while the previous PC was connected into my balanced power conditioner. Both Helixes have been broken in enough hours to "sound good" per @williewonka indications above, and indeed they sound good. Definitely keepers! 

I'm now considering the speaker cables and wanted to ask if there are any active DIY speaker owners here using Helix speaker cables and what's your experience between running the Helix cables right into the driver connectors vs running them to binding posts and what internal wiring you use? Helix geometry or regular? Maybe it doesn't make a difference.

williewonka
3,072 posts
 

@lewinskih01 - re:

and what internal wiring you use? Helix geometry or regular? Maybe it doesn’t make a difference.

Others have told me that using the hElix geometry on any type of connection will improve sound quality i.e.

  1. for signal transfer i.e. internal connection involving a +ve and neutral wire
  2. for internal power supply connections
    • one guy rewired all of his internal AC wiring using the Helix geometry in his components

WRT internal wiring of speakers - provided the SIGNAL and NEUTRAL wires are seperated by at leat one inch of space I do not think the Helix geometry is required

  • but would still use the "Air" approach for the wires
    • Air is - solid wire inside larger diameter teflon tube
  • and probably use
    • solid UP-OCC silver for the SIGNAL wires
      • IF THE BUDGET PERMITS
    • solid UP-OCC copper for the NEUTRAL wires

Regards - Steve

 

ms2
2 posts
 

Hello there. I need 12 feet of 12 AWG silver wire for the Helix interconnects i’m making. Parts Connexion offers two alternatives that differ wildly in price:

the Neotech wire UP-OCC wire ($23.78 per foot)

www.partsconnexion.com/NEOTECH-70761.html

and the ConneX 6N wire ($27.95 per meter!?)

https://www.partsconnexion.com/CONXW-88471.html

Has anyone tested the latter? Would it be a waste of time compared to the Neotech? Thanks in advance for your reply.

 

m

 

 

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