My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects

RE: My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects, posted on August 27, 2016 at 06:09:21
alan m. kafton Manufacturer Posts: 5285 Joined: April 7, 2000	Wow....very impressive and honest review.

RE: My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects, posted on August 27, 2016 at 14:30:34
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Thanks! for sharing-

Excellent read....Thanks..n/t, posted on August 28, 2016 at 06:41:50
tweakmenow Audiophile Posts: 245 Location: East Coast USA Joined: March 26, 2012	.

Differences between Duelund and WE wire, posted on August 28, 2016 at 11:10:01

mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001

Thanks for the link to your review.

It appears the main differences between the vintage WE wire and the new Duelund tinned copper wire are the plastic'ish coating over the WE wire, and under the cotton covering, while I believe the Duelund wire has only the cotton covering, and there are probably some differences in the copper. I understand the WE wire is annealed, which helps with its ductility and seems to be common to better sounding copper wires.

I wish Dueland would start making their tinned copper wire in a size larger than 16awg. I have had good luck making SCs and PCs with the vintage WE 10awg wire and I like the sound.

Another perspective, posted on August 29, 2016 at 10:57:44

Salectric
Audiophile

Posts: 1358
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 23, 2003

I have followed Jack Roberts' writings at Dagogo for some time and I have a genuine respect for his opinions. His priorities in sound reproduction seem to match mine pretty consistently. However, I reached different conclusions about the Duelund DCA16GA wire.

First of all, my Duelund wires are 2M long, lightly twisted, with bare ends, i.e. no spades or other terminations, and have over 100 hours of use. I tried them with two sets of speakers---high efficiency Jensen/Altecs (98db, 16 ohms) and Spendor SP-100 speakers (90db, 8 ohms)---and with two sets of push-pull tube amps. The Duelunds replaced my usual Wireworld Eclipse speaker cables. Interconnects were both my usual Wireworld Eclipse II and Belden 8402. [Details at end.]

The Wireworld Eclipse combination sounds much better, to my ears, than the Duelund/8402 combo. The Eclipse is not only more detailed, more truthful in tonal colors, and more dynamic, but it also conveys more of the emotion in my favorite recordings which makes the Eclipse more interesting and more fun to listen to. By contrast the Duelund (with either the 8402 or the Eclipse interconnects) has a homogenizing effect; it obscures subtle differences in tonal color and dynamics. The Duelund does not sound bad but when it is connected instruments such as trombone, tenor sax and piano do not have as natural and realistic timbre as when the Eclipse cables are connected.

The Duelund wire does sound better than the Western Electric 16g being more neutral in tonal balance and more detailed, but the two wires suffer from the same types of problems.

Of course, this is just one person's opinion. And given Jack's favorable reactions, I would not discourage anyone from trying the Duelund wires. They are so reasonably priced that it isn't much of a risk. But please don't dispose of your regular cables. Keep them so you can try them again after you are thoroughly used to the Duelunds. You may just find that you like the old ones better.

***My Wireworld speaker cables are the original copper Eclipse, back before there was a Series #, purchased new in the mid-1990s. I have tried a number of other speaker cables over the years and haven't found anything I like better. My interconnects are copper Eclipse Series II which I found to be slightly better sounding than the original model. Since buying them I have tried many other interconnects including more recent Wireworlds but I still like the copper Eclipse II the best.

RE: Another perspective, posted on August 29, 2016 at 14:47:31
Mick Wolfe Audiophile Posts: 3365 Location: AZ Joined: October 10, 1999 Contributor Since: September 4, 2000	I've somewhat come to the same conclusion myself. This with the WE 16/ 8402 combination.(not the Duelund) Decent, but it can't unseat my Morrow MA5/CRL Bronze speaker wire combination. The Duelund/WE 16/ 8402 is certainly a wonderful value if it fits your system synergy, but it wasn't a hit for me.

I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 29, 2016 at 17:26:31
jnr Reviewer Posts: 2164 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Joined: April 5, 2000	that do many things better than this combination. I have only heard it on my system but for me what the Duelund does I'm not willing to give up. I'm very impressed with the Belden but I'm still in the decision making process with these, but I am very pleased so far. Still, I can completely understand anyone who would prefer other great cables. theaudiobeatnik.com

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 30, 2016 at 08:51:20

Mick Wolfe
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Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
Since: September 4, 2000

Exactly. I can't speak for the Duelund, my only experience is with the WE 16/ 8402. In the end, the only real key is system synergy and one's own ear. No one combination of cables or loom is going to fit everyone's taste or system. That said, this combination is certainly worth a shot as it's a fairly inexpensive curiosity with the potential of high reward....at least that's the way I looked at it. Its retired to my "basket o' cables" for now, but I'm sure I'll haul the 16/8402 out again for future experiments.

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 30, 2016 at 11:13:57
pc123v Audiophile Posts: 225 Joined: February 6, 2014	@Mick Wolfe and all users. My question is about the Belden 8402. I read some reports about the highs being "ragged". Did it ever smoothen out for you guys and was it a sonic equal, ie, musical and organic as the WE16GA or the Duelund? Thanks

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 30, 2016 at 12:13:22
mitch2 Audiophile Posts: 1521 Location: Great Lakes Joined: August 28, 2001	I would not lump them together. I really like what the WE wire does (in larger than 16awg size) when constructed as speaker cables and power cables. I did not care for the 8402 at all and it didn't come close to what I am using in my system and to my ears.

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 30, 2016 at 13:08:02

Mick Wolfe
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Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
Since: September 4, 2000

The 8402 couldn't unseat what I already had in place in three different locations. The location I thought it might be most successful was the run from my A23 SUT to my pre-amp. Within 4 hours the HT Truth-Link was back in that run. The 8402 came off thin and a bit ragged compared to the HT. Took on a different personality in the two other locations, being a bit more laid back but not as involving as the existing cables. FWIW, tried it both with and without the WE#16.

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 30, 2016 at 15:35:20
ahendler Audiophile Posts: 5151 Location: San Antonio, Texas Joined: January 24, 2003	My whole system now uses Beldin 8402 as interconnects and Western Electric 16 gauge speaker cables. Highs are silken and my system has never sounded better Alan

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 31, 2016 at 17:28:33

pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009

About three hundred hours ago I had been using WE16GA for speaker cables; they replaced Clear Day shotgun cables. They have since been assigned duty to my home theater system. Since then I have been listening to the glorious sound provided by the new Duelund DCA16GA cable, without connectors. To my ears the Duelund wire is just more of the WE16GA. More of everything.

As an aside I also built a PC using the WE16GA. I used a twisted pair per pole (four wires total plus ground), copper foil tape and heavy duty grey plumbers tape and heat shrink tubing . Works pretty darn good. I also built a pair of ic's using the WE but after around two hundred hrs I removed them.

I've also been using the Beldon 8402 cable with Switchcraft 3502AAU Gold RCA's since last May. These replaced the fancy occ and KLE RCA ic's I had been using. Last week I reinstalled the Fancy ic's to see if I was missing anything. Nope, the musicality was gone. So I reinstalled the Beldon 8402 ic's; what a difference. Now I'm testing the Beldon with a set of KLE Silver Harmony RCA"s. AND, I've replaced my $200 silver SPDIF with the Beldon-Switchcraft combo. It's much more musical.

So the bottom line for me and my system is the Duelund and Beldon are here to stay.

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on August 31, 2016 at 20:34:10
ahendler Audiophile Posts: 5151 Location: San Antonio, Texas Joined: January 24, 2003	I am waiting for the Deulands. My order got in just after they ran out so it will be not till the end of September. This stuff is really great Alan

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on September 2, 2016 at 12:12:07

pc123v
Audiophile

Posts: 225
Joined: February 6, 2014

@Pixelphoto. Borrowed a pair of brand new Duelund DCA16GA for speakers cables. Off the bat, I must say they sound disappointing. Sorta clangy and peaky on piano. Vague instrument focus and constricted soundstage. Tone has potential though, just small (scale) sounding overall. Making my system sound like it has a cold. How did yours sound initially and how did they improve over time? Did they take long to burn in? I have 2 weeks trial.

Thanks for your time.

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on September 2, 2016 at 13:58:02

pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009

Hi pc123v. The moment I played music through the WE16GA and Duelund DCA16GA cables I knew I had struck gold. The sound was embracingly musical. The first five hours or so they were a bit rough but they soon became cleaner, clearer and smoother. I exercised the cables for seven days non stop. The soundstage and instrument location is better defined then my previous cables (Clear Day shotgun). The sound of piano is very realistic. Just let them burn in non stop while you have them. The Duelunds are like the WE16GA just better. In my system.

Take the time to visit were it all began at http://jeffsplace.me

http://jeffsplace.me

RE: I want to make it perfectly clear that there are cables . . ., posted on September 3, 2016 at 12:37:42
pc123v Audiophile Posts: 225 Joined: February 6, 2014	@Pixelphoto...Thanks!

RE: My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects, posted on September 5, 2016 at 09:24:20
santodx5 Audiophile Posts: 6 Joined: September 5, 2016	I am trying to find a review in the forum about this cable but they are very rare. Hope after end of September many people will give more feedback

RE: My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects, posted on September 5, 2016 at 12:51:21
pc123v Audiophile Posts: 225 Joined: February 6, 2014	@Jnr...Great review! Thanks.

RE: My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects, posted on September 5, 2016 at 19:32:31

ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003

The problem is that parts connexion ran out of there supply very fast. I ordered early but tehy will not start the next shipments until the end of september. I will review along with Belden 8402 interconnect but it probably will not be until the end of October. Currently using 8402 interconnects with Western Electric speaker cable. This combo is my alltime favorite. Big, lush, powerful base and silken highs. I get a great emotional connection with this cable. It replaced Nordest SPM, HighDiamond 8 and Auditorium 23. $5000 worth of cables bettered by $300
If you like super detailed sound you may not like this stuff but if you know what I mean by musicallity this is the stuff along with a NOS Ladder dac
Alan

RE: My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects, posted on September 8, 2016 at 11:34:36

bluenose
Audiophile

Posts: 168
Joined: May 16, 2002

Excellent read. I did order the Belden 8402 croyed IC's from Gene at TakeFiveAudio. They are on my Oppo Nuforce NXE through my Luxman L503S integrated. Even after only 30 hrs they are stupid good. A friend also bought a pair and concurred. There is some magic in the presence from mid bass up into the mids. But the cro may also help the bass and treble which are deep, musical and alive without brightness... Very compelling to hear. I did see the Duelund DCA 16GA speaker wire is available here in Canada later in Sept. Cheap and cheerful, I can live with that..cheers, lloyd

RE: My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects, posted on September 29, 2016 at 10:45:07
santodx5 Audiophile Posts: 6 Joined: September 5, 2016	Hope someone can review the cable now that it is available to buy. Thanks

Cable Asylum

My Imprssions of Duelund DCA16GA for Speaker Wire and Belden 8402 for Interconnects

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