Speaker Cable Update!
I received the 18 gauge solid copper with AirLok insulation from VH Audio yesterday. It took almost 4 weeks to arrive at my house in Canada - via USPS/Canada post. This is the longest any product purchased from VH Audio (normally only takes a couple of weeks), so I guess Covid 19 slowed things down a little.
The upgrade was simple - replace the existing 16 gauge Duelund signal conductor, with two strands of the 18 gauge wire.
- I twisted the two strands together for their entire length with a "gentle twist" i.e. one complete twist every 4-5 inches
- I spaced wood beads about every 1.25" and secured them in place with a very small dab of Hot Glue
- Threaded the wire/bead assembly through the center of the Helix Coil and attached the Banana plugs.
Complete instructions can be viewed on the web site
in a couple of days...
http://www.image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-image-speaker-cable.html
The results were very noticeable as soon as I installed them...
- the image expanded a lot and the precision placement of instruments and artists had more precision, It is now very wide with lots of instruments and artists much wider than the speaker locations
- details were noticeably improved, with more noticeable background vocals and instruments
- clarity had improved, possibly due to the improved imaging.
- Dynamics were even more punchy than before
I thought the previous version that used the 16 Gauge Duelund wire with Cotton/oil insulation was probably as good as it was going to get. But based on feedback from @wig, who had tried it, I thought I should also take the plunge
I am so glad I did !
Unfortunately, my budget will not stretch to try the 18 gauge Solid Silver with AirLok insulation from VH Audio. At almost $900 just for the wire, it’s a little out of my snack bracket :-).
But the Solid copper wire has exceeded my expectations, So it is well worth upgrading. i.e. if you are using one of the other wire options listed on the web site.
Regards - Steve
I received the 18 gauge solid copper with AirLok insulation from VH Audio yesterday. It took almost 4 weeks to arrive at my house in Canada - via USPS/Canada post. This is the longest any product purchased from VH Audio (normally only takes a couple of weeks), so I guess Covid 19 slowed things down a little.
The upgrade was simple - replace the existing 16 gauge Duelund signal conductor, with two strands of the 18 gauge wire.
- I twisted the two strands together for their entire length with a "gentle twist" i.e. one complete twist every 4-5 inches
- I spaced wood beads about every 1.25" and secured them in place with a very small dab of Hot Glue
- Threaded the wire/bead assembly through the center of the Helix Coil and attached the Banana plugs.
Complete instructions can be viewed on the web site
in a couple of days...
http://www.image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-image-speaker-cable.html
The results were very noticeable as soon as I installed them...
- the image expanded a lot and the precision placement of instruments and artists had more precision, It is now very wide with lots of instruments and artists much wider than the speaker locations
- details were noticeably improved, with more noticeable background vocals and instruments
- clarity had improved, possibly due to the improved imaging.
- Dynamics were even more punchy than before
I thought the previous version that used the 16 Gauge Duelund wire with Cotton/oil insulation was probably as good as it was going to get. But based on feedback from @wig, who had tried it, I thought I should also take the plunge
I am so glad I did !
Unfortunately, my budget will not stretch to try the 18 gauge Solid Silver with AirLok insulation from VH Audio. At almost $900 just for the wire, it’s a little out of my snack bracket :-).
But the Solid copper wire has exceeded my expectations, So it is well worth upgrading. i.e. if you are using one of the other wire options listed on the web site.
Regards - Steve
