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DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors.

76.104.217.128
Posted on June 1, 2014 at 15:03:43
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002

Image: DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 interconnects (Ohno Continuous Cast copper, Composilex 1 composite material dielectric, DNA Helix twisted flat ribbon cable geometry) terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony RCA Plugs (redesigned Eichmann Bullet Plug with pure silver ground contact, silver plated copper hollow center pin, dual set-screw strain relief).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WireWorld-Equinox-6-Bulk-Unterminated-Audio-Cable-DIY-Interconnect-Cables-/360702226847

http://kleinnovations.com/kle-innovations-klei-products/harmony-plug/

I believe the Equinox 6/Silver Harmony combo is the last chapter of my Equinox 6 and Equinox 7 endeavors:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/15/156959.html

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/16/160194.html

In a nutshell, my subjective evaluation is that the DIY Equinox 6/Silver Harmony combo provides the fuller body and bigger bottom end of the Equinox 6, with the more linear presentation and extended treble of the Equinox 7. Overall clarity and resolution is remarkably better than either commercial cable build provides, with excellent performance at the frequency extremes, more impressive ambient information retrieval, better defined image outlines and inner detail, and a very coherent soundstage presentation in all dimensions. While I’m using the cable for a 2-channel home theater application, I’m certain many folks would find the DIY build worthy of more critical listening applications such as a high performance digital front end and computer audio systems.

I fully recommend the DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 interconnect cable terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors as an affordable, serious project with high value. Even if folks pay list price ($90) for a set of KLE Silver Harmony rca connectors, and $5.99 per foot for the Wireworld Equinox 6 bulk length cable, I would opine that a 1m pair DIY project with a total cost of $132 may at least subjectively provide the performance level of a $300 commercial rca interconnect cable product price point, if not more depending on the manufacturer. YMMV

As for difficulty of termination, the Wireworld Equinox 6 cable does involve careful effort. I had to use a single blade razor with a finger & fingernail as a cutting board to first score one side of a tiny flat conductor, then line-up the other side of the flat conductor in order to meet-up with the scoring. Then I had to use mini-pliers to pull-off the insulation. I did not expect to be successful at doing such for 16 conductors without a hitch, but no problem. The cable OD (outer dimension) needs to be built-up (enlarged) with a layer of material in order for the rca connector set-screws to grip the cable for proper strain relief. Refer to KLE Innovations termination instructions for further guidance.

Note: The red and white conductors soldered to the center pin (+), the two black conductors soldered to the ground pin (-).

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/16/163103.html

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/16/163114.html

 

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KLE Innovations, posted on June 1, 2014 at 22:27:42
Metralla
Audiophile

Posts: 7801
Location: San Jose, California
Joined: January 30, 2001
 Is that Keith Eichmann's new company? They look like an improvement over the Bullet Plug, which I really liked for DIY work.


Regards,
Geoff

 

RE: KLE Innovations, posted on June 2, 2014 at 02:21:36
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 Hi Metralla, yes, Keith Louis Eichmann Innovations (KLEI) is Keith Eichmann's new company.

Hi Duster, what it easy to solder all those wires to the Silver Harmony plugs pins?

 

RE: KLE Innovations, posted on June 2, 2014 at 08:33:38
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 It was not difficult to solder the wires, the difficulty was stripping them properly, but as I said, it was more demanding than problematic.

I followed the same advice given for the Eichmann Bullet Plug, so the task of soldering the KLE Harmony Plug was quite easy:

"Place the Harmony®Plug on a secure but unconnected RCA Socket, where the RCA Socket becomes a holder and heat sink. This will free up both hands and allow more precise soldering."

An rca jack of a junked stereo component or old VCR collecting dust in the garage can make a great "helping hands" device.

See link:

 

RE: KLE Innovations, posted on June 2, 2014 at 11:38:39
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 ok thanks

 

RE: KLE Innovations, posted on June 4, 2014 at 17:31:56
pixelphoto
Audiophile

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



Following your lead Duster I lucked out with buying a set of KLE Innovations Silver Harmony RCA Plugs on the last day of their sell at Parts Connexion.com. The Wireworld Equinox 6 interconnect wire from your link at eBay. And the miracle wire stripper in the image stripped those itty bitty wires with ease and grace.
I built the ic’s in about 2.5 hrs. Yes I’m show and methodical. Soldering was a piece a cake. They’ve been breaking in since Sun. afternoon; four more days to go. So far the sound is clean, clear, revealing and transparent. I’m really pleased with what I’m hearing.

Duster, thanks for contributing the recipe for these ic’s.

Automatic Wire Stripper with Cutter
Parts Express Part # 360-627

 

RE: KLE Innovations, posted on June 5, 2014 at 13:48:35
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002

Image: DIY VH Audio Pulsar Cu II OCC Copper interconnect cable (24 AWG UniCrystal .999997+ purity solid core OCC single crystal copper with AirLok dielectric featuring an ultra-low 1.45 dielectric constant, double shielded with foil shield and silver-plated copper braided shield), terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony RCA Plugs (redesigned Eichmann Bullet Plug with pure silver ground contact, silver plated copper hollow center pin, dual set-screw strain relief).

Hi pixelphoto,

Glad to know how well the wire stripper worked for the project, and how pleased you are with the results. I'm looking forward to your final judgment of the DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors project.

Catching the sale price before it ended was a good thing. If others can't afford the list price of the Silver Harmony, I reckon if one selected the lower-cost level Copper Harmony (silver plated copper for both pins), they would not be disappointed. That said, the list price of the Silver Harmony is not as high as a number of other high-end rca connectors in the marketplace, including the top-of-the-line Pure Harmony (pure silver for both pins).

A few days ago, I terminated the newly released VH Audio Pulsar Cu II OCC Copper bulk length interconnect cable with the KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connector, and while proper burn-in time is required to fully evaluate that DIY cable build, the Silver Harmony connector also sounds excellent, as one might expect with the more expensive cable ($79.99 per meter). I opted to terminate the new Pulsar Cu II with the new Silver Harmony connector rather than my other favorite connector, the Xhadow Precision RCA. I think that decision says a lot about my appreciation of the KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connector.

Cheers, Duster

 

RE: KLE Innovations, posted on June 7, 2014 at 16:29:19
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 Hi Duster, what did you like about the Xhadow Precision RCA...

 

Xhadow Precision RCA, posted on June 8, 2014 at 14:31:16
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002



Image: Xhadow Precision RCA (small version), Xhadow Precision RCA (large version)

What *do* I like about the Xhadow Precision RCA, rather than what *did* I like. The sonic signature is vivid and helps toss-up a large soundstage, with excellent performance at the frequency extremes. Front-to-back presence is natural sounding, not too front row (nor too laid back/middle row). Images are presented with great body without loss of subtle detail. There are particular design aspects that deserve more than casual mention.

Here's the introductory text taken from the original Xhadow website post (original Xhadow website no longer online):

-snip-

Precision RCA: Bold, elegant, pefect.

The Xhadow Precision RCA is truly the best made RCA plug in the world. Precision, purity, simplicity and elegance are the hallmarks of Xhadow products, and this RCA embodies thosae sentiments with no room for equivocation. The main barrel and rear-nut are lathed from pure aluminum rod-stock and anodized in "Xhadow Gray" for a durable and non-conductive finish. The rear nut can be vanity-printed with corporate or model names (or both) for the OEM that requires identity markings (minimum order quantities apply). Into this barrel assembly fits the contact assembly. Each one is machined from OFC pure copper (silver plated) with a machined Teflon dielectric, and an OFC pure copper machined contact that has been silver-plated. Each contact allows the termination of wire to be completed via solder, set-screw, or both. This gives the end-user a tremendous amount of flexibility while also allowing them to guarantee a fantastic contact interface with their wires. The fit of these connectors is smooth but very strong, with a tremendous amount of contact pressure to ensure perfect and consistent signal passage with a minimum of contact resistance. There's a new Reference on the block!

Two sizes: Standard and Large.

About Us: Many years ago, in the historic halls of the Las Vegas Sahara Hotel bi-level, audiophile manufacturers and distributors once luxuriated in smoke-danked molded-over demonstration rooms with the hope of generating interest in their latest doohickeys. For the High End Audio set, the Winter Consumer Electronic Show was a parliament of the world’s most ultra-serious two-channel stereo music-loving freaks and geeks. Food, beer, scotch, food, cigars, scotch, food and beer.

And music. Back then high’enders were entirely enraptured and utterly dedicated to music and the most fantastic and wonderful reproduction of music in the home. From all corners of the USA and the globe came every manner of audio manufacturer one could imagine, each of them setting up their stereo system in a hotel room emptied for the purpose … one next to the other next to the other. Mahler in one room, Mingus in the next, Motorhead further down. Music filled the hall as audiophile professionals swam upstream and down in search of the old and new.

It was there in that since-demolished hotel structure that Stuart Marcus and Chris Sommovigo met for the first time. Stuart, the long-established connector and cable veteran, had been representing his wares in one of those now legendary rooms while Chris was wandering the halls with his new product: the Illuminati Datastream Reference, the first true 75 Ohm interconnect for digital separates. Would anyone let him demo that strangely rigid cable in their system?

Eventually. For the moment he was wandering and hoping to get some of the attention that the other exhibitors were actually paying to catch.

On the end of the Datastream Reference was an interesting RCA connector. A bulbous affair made from machined brass, Teflon, and copper. The first 75 Ohm RCA connector for DACs and transports. Kinda big. Kinda clunky. Kinda cool. Stuart wanted to see.

They traded … Stuart examined the 75 Ohm bulby RCA with interest as Chris fingered through the collection of Tiffany and Vampire connectors, careful not to dribble or drool too much.

And thus began this long-standing friendship born out of mutual respect and mutual admiration. Two audiogeeks in a sea of obsessed high’enders with something rather strange in common: an unreasonable obsession with really, really great audio connectors.

Stuart Marcus

Arguably the Prime Mover of the audiophile connector world, Stuart began his audio odyssey about 28 years ago. He can lay claim to being one of the extremely few "first" audiophile cable and connector manufacturers in the world as the founder of Vampire Wire and Sound Connections International. At present his connectors and wires are being supplied to over 380 manufacturers of cables and audio/video components. Unreasonably obsessed with audio connector quality.

Chris Sommovigo

Known for introducing the fist impedance-matched digital cables to the audiophile market with the brand Illuminati, Chris was also a proponent of high-quality connections. His early contribution was the world’s first 75 Ohm RCA for his impedance matched digital cables. Later he would design the proprietary, 13-piece RCAs for Stereovox’s über-fi interconnects and the modular spade system for their loudspeaker cables. Unreasonably obsessed with audio connector quality.

-snip-

 

RE: Xhadow Precision RCA, posted on June 8, 2014 at 15:10:22
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 Hi Duster, ok thanks, where (or in what way) would you say that the Silver Harmony RCA is better than the Xhadow Precision RCA...

 

RE: Xhadow Precision RCA, posted on June 8, 2014 at 15:32:00
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 The presentation of the KLE Silver Harmony RCA is too new to my ear to say it is better than the Xhadow Precision RCA in any particular way. At this point, I can say the KLE Silver Harmony RCA sounds great with the Wireworld Equinox 6 interconnect cable, but I've not terminated the same cable with the Xhadow Precision RCA for any credible comparison. I'm currently evaluating the new VH Audio Pulsar Cu II OCC Copper interconnect cable terminated with the KLE Silver Harmony RCA, and while initial observations are very positive, the Teflon dielectric of the Pulsar Cu II cable requires epic burn-in time before final judgment can be made. It's possible I might try the Pulsar Cu II terminated with the Xhadow Precision RCA, but I don't expect doing such in the very near future.

 

RE: Xhadow Precision RCA, posted on June 8, 2014 at 23:13:24
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 Hi Duster, ok thanks, looking forward to the comparison of Wireworld Equinox 6 and the VH Audio Pulsar Cu II OCC interconnects with the KLE Silver Harmony RCA's :)

 

RE: DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors., posted on June 14, 2014 at 18:48:21
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 After 240 hrs. of non stop break-in the combination of KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca
connectors and Equinox cable are to my ears more transparent and higher resolving than another interconnect recipe shared by Duster (pcocc copper cable and WireWorld rca’s with silver center pen). However they will continue to do duty in my system.

These new ic’s have brought my system to the summit. Today I’ve been listening to Miles Davis among other favorites. His horn is smooth like honey with its attendant amber glow. No sibilance here. No listener fatigue. Smoothness and clarity. Details that I had not yet heard came forth and blessed me with emotional involvement. Something that had been evading me since I began my return to audio five years past. How fortunate am I.

Piano and acoustical instruments are at times shockingly realistic. Instruments are easily located on a wider and taller stage. Drums are solid and deep. Cymbals and triangles are no longer reticent. Bells ring my chimes. Ding dong. You can have your 3D movies I’ve got 3D music.

Thanks again Duster.

Happy listening,
pixelphoto (Marvin)

 

RE: DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors., posted on June 15, 2014 at 14:15:22
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Excellent! Now that the cable has thoroughly reached the 250 hour burn-in mark, I recommend you give the cable dielectric a rest for 15 hours. Without unplugging the cable (which would disturb the dielectric), simply turn-off the power switch of the source component (output device) the cable is connected to for 15 hours or so. Continuing the burn-in process should then provide further development over an extended period of time, but since Teflon is not involved in the cable and connectors, further improvement will likely be that of subtle low-level information. Enjoy ;-D

 

RE: DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors., posted on June 15, 2014 at 14:52:08
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 Ok, I'll let them rest until tomorrow. Thanks for the help and advise Duster.

Best to ya,
pixelphoto (Marvin)

 

RE: DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors., posted on June 15, 2014 at 15:10:20
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 BTW, you may continue to listen to the cables today. They can rest when you do...

Cheers, Duster

 

RE: DIY Wireworld Equinox 6 terminated with KLE Innovations Silver Harmony rca connectors., posted on June 16, 2014 at 06:59:03
PingPing
Audiophile

Posts: 196
Joined: May 22, 2014
 sounds goood, super good :-)

 

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