Headfi thread 1 - If you've got your new DHC cable and have tested it out, post all your reviews here!

Headfi thread 2

Headfi thread 3

"The solid silver Double Helix makes [the LCD-2s] sound better, instead of worse. In fact, of the three cables I have tried, it is clearly the best, producing the most low level detail and the sweetest texture." -- A.C.

RGS9200M on head-fi posts his impressions of the Complement:

The Double Helix Complement balanced cables totally transformed the sound of 800s for me. Highs, lows, mids, sound-space, you name it, everything is different and far better. They are magnificent. I really did not expect such a dramatic change. I'll give some more impressions later.

iPodPJ on Head-fi gives his impressions of my Complement HD800 cable:

I just received a loaner cable from Peter at Double Helix Cables. It's his flagship Complement cable, and his personal one as well. It is by far the best HD800 cable I've tried; best headphone cable I've tried. I've been listening to it for most of the evening. The channel separation and soundstage are larger than life. Both channels are completely separate cables, and I feel that is the main reason it performs so well. It uses very good wire, too. I will be having him make me one shortly. It's brought new life to the Phoenix. (Peter also has a Phoenix, HD800, and the DAC that came before the Ref1 (I forget which model) so I'm sure that is one reason this cable pairs so well with them.)

Just thought I'd mention that since I'm enjoying this amp once again.

First mini-review of my flagship OCC silver Complement HD800 cable:

"If I die, I will be buried with your cable."

- Dan

"I have just received the cable. I must say it is very well built, feels very solid. Right now i'm listening to some of my favourite songs with this cable on my HD800 and i'm very happy with this combo. Everything is much more musical with fuller body compared to what i have from the stock HD800 cable. Here is how my combo looks like:

:

I hope i will have more time to listen to music this week end and maybe a short impression on Head-fi a bit later. Thank you again for the great cable and especially for the super fast shipment. I sure will deal with you again in future...

-- anh

"I am finally done with my initial testing of the Double Helix vs. stock 650 cables. I tested them on my iPhone 3G, lossless > ALO Cryo SXC > p-51 > Double Helix 650 cable. I also tested the cables on a more powerful home amp, an Arcam. Results using the Arcam were more pronounced than with the P-51. Tests were run after over 100 hours clocked on each cable. The stock cable was better after 100 hours than when new, as was the Double Helix. The results showed, to my ears, that the Double Helix cable was the winner. The reasons are simple:

1) Stock cable sounded constricted compared to the Double Helix. It was harder to distinguish separate sounds, instruments and voices on the stock cable vs. the Double Helix cable.
2) In addition to the ability to hear sounds, instruments and voices more clearly, the entire soundstage was much larger and more alive with the Double Helix.
3) Voices with the stock cable seemed flat, almost recessed into the back of my head. With the Double Helix cable the voices moved forward and had way more space (air) around them.
4) Bass with the stock cable was pretty ample but lacked definition and clarity displayed when the same cuts were played using the Double Helix cable.
5) High end was also clearer but not harsh.
6) Overall I found the sound of the Double Helix cable to be smoother, clearer and more musical sounding than the stock cable.

I am sorry that I haven't had the pleasure of comparing the Double Helix cable to the other fine options out there. The Double Helix is a very worthwhile upgrade compared with the stock cable. Peter at Double Helix does some solid job building his cables and takes the time to let you design all aspects. He is helpful and communicates well throughout the process. The bottom line for me is that the stock cable is packed up and in a drawer while the Double Helix cable is connected to the 650's. If anybody has any questions or comments I am "all ears"."

-popspin7

"After listening to Peter's (Double Helix) cable it is amazing that the headphone manufacturers go through the process of making a good headphone only to supply what seems like average cable with it! My cable is so open and accurate it sends a tingle down my spine listening to this at times, the soundstaging is nothing like i have heard before with strings have a resonance to it that sound like it is live from even from a studio recording and vocals i can hear the smallest details in sound down to even them breathing in and the natural sounds of saliva in their mouth on some artist which i have never heard before not even on my 10k home hi-fi setup! Drums are again so life like in the different range of bass it goes through down to a nice realistic bass rumble in the background rather than a thudding bass i have heard on some phones with the same track's. Over all the tonal balance is superb and it is an open, neutral and analytical sound which is my bag anyhow, but i have to say compared to the stock cable that came with my AKG's it was worth every penny to upgrade. Which brings me to Peter, the messiah for me of how customer support should be in reality (if only big companies adopted this policy like Peter does!). I had the choice to have the cable how i wanted and he talked me through every step with various options on what material to have cable wise for sound which did not take too long really, the long process was how to pimp the aesthetic side of the cable to how one wants their cable to look, which after a thousand emails back and forth and the patience of a saint from the creator Peter I finally decided on a look and the type of materials to use to sleeve the cable. What I liked about Peter's approach was he would always reply the same day 99% of the time and a lot of them within the hour! and would always email photos to how this or that may possibly look like to help me decide."

- John B

"I got my DT990/600 headphone cable from Double Helix and so far it's been great. The cables are definitely a lot nicer than the stock and gives me a more enjoyable experience with them. I highly recommend getting a new cable not only to improve your sound but also to give your cables a sexy makeover. And the prices are priced fairly so it doesn't feel like you're being ripped off. Overall a very honest and involved dealer."

-- Ben

"Just received my HD650 cable, totally agree with previous posters, veil now gone and way more clarity and crispness, gotta say Peter replies almost instantly to any questions via email, would recommend him and his workmanship.

--savedbythebell

"Bought an HD650 cable from Peter. Made a huge difference in my current set-up. The detail is enhanced in both the highs and lows. Fast shipping, pleasure to deal with and the cables look gorgeous. I wouldn't hesitate to order another cable from him again."

- tetrislol

"I've been away from home and haven't been able to let you know
how much I love the cable. I now have a new and better set of phones, thanks to you!
A much cleaner, richer and better balanced sound that has me listening until the wee,
small hours... much to my wife's chagrin... bass is tighter, overtones extend up into infinity....
Thank you! You are a true artist!"

- John F

"As for your K702 cable, it sounds very tight, punchy, fast paced and the amount of detail that can be heard and the realistic tonal qualities of the insttruments is uncanny. It also is so spacious & accurate with the soundstaging and it sounds like it is doing it with ease as it is very fluid in delivering the sound. As for people that have been saying the 702's do not have enough bass, baffles me as maybe it is true in comparison with say the HD650's which you will know, might be palatable, but people have actually stated it lacks bass? but i am not finding that with your cable and think even though the 702 might not be the most punchiest or heavy bass i have ever heard it is a realistic understated bass going on that only really rumbles on the low ends when needed to mirroring the artist recordings very well. Thanks Peter for everything you have done so far, customer service has been second to none and it has been very pleasurable to deal with a genuine nice guy as yourself along the way as well as getting a top product (custom made, a very rare thing that happens to me!) at the same time which i thoroughly enjoy every day ......... : )"

- John B

"Things are sounding better by the hour. Already, much beyond anything experienced with the Cardas Cable. It's hard to quantify differences, especially since I have no real audio critiqueing vocabulary. But here a few nouns that seem very apt so far ...Breadth, Articulation, Clarity, Sparkle, Precision, Impact, Extension, Musicality. Last evening, some female vocals (Jennifer Warren) seemed a bit subdued, though very clear and sweet. Today they have a bit more presence in the mix. I trust this trend of gradual extra projection of the female vocal range (1.5-3K hz, i'd guess) will continue for a bit. I hope so. But I don't want it become pronounced. I am so delighted. Excited, actually! If my pleasure persists unabated this will go down as just about THE most immediately rewarding investment I've ever made in high-end hi--fi ... and probably the finest value I've ever obtained.

- Noel N

"Well I just got my aftermarket Double Helix Cable and I can say that it makes a perceivable difference in the nature of the sound. For me it seems fairly night and day. Things just sound faster. The highs have more presence to be sure and the bass is a bit more impactful. When I say the highs have more presence I dont mean the very tip top of the highs, more the 7-14kHz range maybe. The speed and the highs are where the real differences are though. The HD650 "veil" is something that can only be recognized by its absence, and its absence is profound."

-- dBs

Just want to let you know that the cable arrived and it sounds as nice as it looks.  I'm not quite sure about the break-in stuffs but it sounds good since the moment i plugged it in.  I can tell you that the sound is:

1. More focused (can better single out the instruments)
2. Has more overtones and sustain (snare drums and chimes) 
3. Refined midrange (more bite in violins)
4. Clearer vocals
5. Tighter bass (more distinct bass notes without loss in bass slams)

In the end, I consider this a significant upgrade from my previous cable.  My wife also noted the difference.  Since her ears are more tuned to expensive gear (we've visited few high-end stores before), her confirmation that your cable makes a huge positive difference proves that I'm still sane.

You will be recommended to my friends.