My rule of thumb for the Duelund DCA tinned-copper cables when used as speaker cables is that the richer and fuller sounding DCA12GA has been a great match to my Tannoy Westminster Royal SE loudspeakers, while the more direct and vivid sounding DCA16GA has been a great match to my collection of vintage Altec loudspeakers.
The Duelund Dual DCA12GA tinned-copper cable.
Now enter the Duelund Dual DCA12GA that combines two Duelund DCA12GA cables in a single oil-soaked and baked cotton outer sleeve (more info HERE).
I thought it would be interesting to make up a pair of speaker cables with the new Duelund Dual DCA12GA, then replace the Duelund DCA16GA cables I'm using on my "Stokowski" Altec loudspeakers with them, and give them a listen.
First I cut two equal lengths of the Duelund Dual DCA12GA, then trimmed back about 5 inches of the outer cotton sheath, and removed about an inch from the ends of the conductors for connection to the amp and loudspeakers.
I used my multimeter to check for continuity, then marked the ends of the "hot" leads with some red Peavey microphone tape so I could easily identify cable legs for hooking up the connections.
Duelund Dual DCA12GA connected to the terminal strip of the Duelund CAST tinned-copper crossovers.
I connected the new Dual DCA12GA tinned-copper speaker cables to the terminal strips of the Duelund CAST tinned-copper crossovers, and the other end to the First Watt SIT-3 amplifier.
First Watt SIT-3 amplifier and Pass Labs XP-12 line-level preamplifier.
I had been listening to the 2 CD set of Corelli Violin Sonatas, Op. 5, from Harmonia Mundi, with the Duelund DCA16GA tinned-copper speaker cables just prior to installing the new Duelund Dual DCA12GA tinned-copper cables, so I listened to it again for the sake of comparison.
Corelli Violin Sonatas, Op. 5
It will probably come as no surprise to you that the Duelund Dual DCA12GA tinned-copper cables sound a lot like the single-run Duelund DCA12GA tinned-copper speaker cables, a good thing.
The Duelund Dual DCA12GA has a rich, relaxed, overall tonal balance, but with a touch less of the intensity, vibrancy, and directness of the single runs of DCA16GA tinned-copper cables.
For a comparison of the overall sound of the Duelund DCA series of tinned-copper cables you can read more HERE about that at Positive Feedback.
Typically for tinned-copper cables, they sound a little "rough" until they accumulate some run-in time, and then smooth out beautifully to give a natural live-like tonality.
I've tried to hurry the run-in process of tinned-copper cables in the past with my cable conditioning devices, but I've found they end up sounding better if you just let them settle in naturally by playing music.
Benny Golson and Freddie Hubbard's "Stardust" album on the Denon label.
I decided to listen to a CD that I haven't listened to in ages, the Benny Golson and Freddie Hubbard album, Stardust.
While the unconditioned Dual DCA12GA cables sounded a little strident compared to the well run-in DCA16GA cables on the Corelli Violin Sonatas, Op. 5, on Stardust the Dual DCA12GA sounded like the typical rich, relaxed, overall tonal balance of DCA12GA that I'm familiar with.
The new Duelund Dual DCA12GA tinned-copper cables need some more run-in time before I can say too much more about them, so I'll keep this post short, and report back after accumulating some more time on them.
Generally speaking, all of the Duelund DCA tinned-copper cables share a unique combination of intensity of tone color, dynamic prowess, timbral realism, vivid presence, and a compelling portrayal of beat and tempos, that distinguishes them from copper or silver cables, and makes them immensely satisfying to listen to music with.
The Duelund Dual DCA12GA tinned-copper cables are available in North America from Parts ConneXion, who have an exclusive on them for the next three months, as well as in the UK from HiFi Collective after that, and in other parts of Planet Earth by contacting Frederik Carøe at Duelund directly.
As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
