Molecule Elite 19

DHC’s most accomplished portable cable.

Full review on theheadphonelist.com!
“There’s no doubt, the DHC Molecule Elite 19 Fusion raises the bar for the HD800. If you want to push clarity, detail, soundstage, and fullness, you cannot go wrong with the Fusion.”

Elite 19 is our highest performing cable that is travel-friendly, with a 2.35mm wire diameter (compared with Complement4’s 3.0mm + sleeving or Prion4’s 3.4mm + sleeving) and traditional braided format with 3D-printed, monogrammed Elite19 y-split.

Features:

18.8awg (~19awg) pure OCC silver litz.  Now available with Fusion wire – containing equal numbers of OCC copper and OCC silver bundles. Fusion is easygoing with much of pure silver’s detail and a more affordable price. The 14-bundle design of Complement4 expands to 30 bundles arranged into six subgroups; Elite19 contains more than double the amount of OCC silver as Complement4. The ultrapure single-crystal litz silver bundles are arrayed into a cylindrical-tube layout inside each Elite19 wire. This design greatly reduces skin effect as each strand alternates between the inside and the outside of the wire construct along the cable’s length, equalizing impedance throughout the wire. Each tiny strand of OCC silver is coated in an invisible, razor-thin enamel layer which prevents oxidation and cross-talk between strands, eliminating diodic junctions and their propensity for energy storage. This conductor goes above and beyond in terms of current carrying capability. Not just any OCC silver, we have combed the world for silver that sounds this way, casting many possible designs and materials aside. This metal is chosen for its unique combination of precision and forgiveness. We find it even less harsh-sounding than copper, even with troublesome recordings, due to its refinement. Those who hear our silver ask “How is this silver? It’s so smooth and easygoing…”

Center conductive/damping core. DHC helped introduce type 4 litz with our original Peptide V2 type 4 litz wires – an optimized version of the type 2 litz with a core of damping material at the center, keeping the litz strands out of the wire’s “dead spot” at its center, and aiding in litz’s prime goal of equally distributing each strand between the wire’s surface and its interior. With Elite19, we take the damping core feature to a higher level with our conductive core – a DHC first. The core is made of a resistive material which absorbs any internal static buildup.

Multicore type4/type6 layout.  The more complex nature of Elite19’s colossal 18.8awg conductors requires a second level of six cores, made of pure cotton, to organize the bundles. This provides support and damping throughout the wire.

Flexible, clear PE insulation. This material offers the best combination of dielectric constant, damping, flexibility, and overall feel. See the litz masterpiece inside through the clear insulation.

Standard: titanium alloy CNC y-split with machined DHC logo. Our new titanium alloy split is lathed from a 10mm titanium rod, and our exclusive figure-8 hole pattern maximizes use of space for an ultra-light, ultra compact split that is no bigger than the tiny Eidolic E-SX6. The titanium split is chamfered at each end and circular-polished for a smooth feel. Available only at DHC!

Purpose-built 3D-printed cast metal y-splitters available. We have revised our beloved “Helix” split with embossed “ELITE 19” details on the exterior for this unique headphone cable. Choose between polished bronze, or sterling silver. We can even print 14kt solid rose gold. Also available are other designs like the “labyrinth” split. We can discuss options once your order is in!

Eidolic connectors. Elite19 is available for select connector types and terminations, using only the best plugs from Eidolic.

Upgrade to titanium. Eidolic offers a one-of-a-kind titanium alloy upgrade barrel with laser logo and choice of decorative insert. For more information, click here. These upgrades are now standard on Elite19 with 2.5, 3.5, or 4.4 terminations selected. 

Award-winning sound. Prion4 received accolades from Positive Feedback Online and from discerning customers across the globe, selling out the first two batches quicker than we could build them. Now, Elite19 offers a large measure of Prion4’s performance in a travel-friendly package that works with most headphones.

New: Elite19 Fusion
Scaling the Fusion sound up to 19awg, this cable packs as much silver as Symbiote SP 8-wire or Complement4 Silver (22awg worth) plus an equal amount of OCC copper litz, for massive impact and balanced tonality.

Prion⁴
18.8awg OCC Silver Litz

DHC’s Masterpiece

Over the past 8 years, the Complement project has evolved tremendously – the first prototypes encompassed the best
that we could build with the materials we could readily find. Now, it is an exact translation of our imagination and desire
– a cost-no-object, uncompromising vision. Complement4 and Spore4 Silver received numerous accolades, and stand tall as some
of the most effective headphone upgrades available, with specifications we have long considered to be “just right.” But a lingering
voice said to us “What if?” Prion was always an unspoken working title for our most unreasonable, complex, and sometimes
unbuildable designs. Now, we have finally taken action to bring these designs to life.

Awards – see Complement4 Silver for past reviews. 
Prion4 is a substantial upgrade over the highly proficient Complement4 Silver.

Prion4 wows Headfonia reviewers!
“…it represents one of the biggest improvements I heard in any cable so far. It is definitely one of the best cables out there and it deserves its spot on our Best Accessories list.”

Audioholics review – paired with Hifiman Susvara!

Double Helix Cables is another store run by audiophile Peter Bradstock. With a background in microbiology and genetics,
Peter has utilised the concepts of revision (accepting and rejecting hypotheses/cables) to truly refine and improve upon each
of his creations. Each cable is developed with high-quality litz wires, durable sheathing and is remarkably stunning to boot.

In this review, I had the opportunity to test their flagship cable – the Prion 4 which is priced at $1799 minimum (for 4 feet length).
These cables are currently the most complex headphone cables produced by anybody employing a staggering 19awg OCC silver litz –
the limit of which can be practically fit and soldered to a headphone connector.

One word comes to mind when listening with this cable – and that is effortless. With such a sonic improvement to the stock cable,
I am surprised that cables could make this much of a difference. Not only is transparency brought to the forefront, along with
outstanding micro-detailing, separation and accuracy but macro-dynamics are also strong with extensive top and bottom range
contributing to a highly engaging side that combines powerful precision with dynamism and emotional involvement. In addition,
the expansive nature of these cables works wonders for the already capable Susvaras. If that were not enough, recordings sound
alive with lack of grain, nuances and fast decay speeds. While the Prion 4 headphone cable is not cold or irritably bright, it does
benefit from a tube stage which adds even more staging width as well as some welcomed midrange bloom. Overall, these are
most transparent, refined and involving cables I have ever come across. For that reason, these should be considered as a reference
headphone cable for anyone without a budget in sight.
— Smit Patel

Positive Feedback’s Brutus Award Winner 2016! 

“…Incredibly detailed. Atmospheric. Transparency in spades. No sense of grain
or of any constriction. And bloody quick…the Double Helix Cables are my current
reference standard for headphones, for sure.”

— Dr. David Robinson, Positive Feedback Online

DHC flagships featured in the world’s top headphone setup (WA234 + MSB Select DAC) @ Mono and Stereo –
full review of Spore4 and Prion4S in this system coming soon @ Headphone.guru

New review of Prion4 and some custom DHC interconnects @ Chiphell (in Chinese, lots of photos too)

Most of the features adopted by other headphone cables originated at DHC.
First OCC silver headphone cable – Silver Complement, 2009.
First shielded, multi-layer dampened headphone cable with separate left/right cables – Complement, 2009.
First insulated OCC litz wire – Molecule SE, 2012.
First headphone cable with conductive polymer shielding insulation – Complement2, 2013
First headphone cable with conductive anti-static center core – Complement3, 2014
First headphone cable incorporating an insulated cotton-dielectric wire – Complement4, 2014
First headphone cable with hybrid multicore – conductive center + cotton outer cores – Molecule Extreme, 2014
First cable to incorporate all of the above – Prion4, 2016

Technical Features

Introducing – the Integrated Wire, generation 2. An integrated wire offers a complete multilayer construction around each signal wire, machine-made for consistency and hand-finished into a cable built to your specifications. The goal is to create conditions around the internal litz copper or silver strands that allows them to perform to their true potential. This series of machine-applied, precise layers is DHC’s original design.

Multicore type4/type6 layout. The more complex nature of Prion’s colossal 18.8awg conductors requires a second level of six cores, made of pure cotton, to organize the bundles. This provides support and damping throughout the wire.

Carbon-polymer outer shielding insulation. This material, pioneered by DHC, allows us to throughly shield each Integrated Wire without the use of heavier metal shields, for a featherweight, purist flagship cable. It blocks a wide bandwidth of interference while being light & flexible.

Flexible Teflon secondary dielectric layer. This minimal-absorption, high dielectric strength material allows us to maintain the integrity of the inner litz construct while optimizing the cable for the perfect balance of low inductance and capacitance. Use of Teflon ensures that Prion4 is greatly lighter & more flexible than previous DHC flagships.

Pure cotton primary dielectric layer.  A cable-industry first. DHC offers the first ever litz cable with a matrix of cotton braided around the litz strands inside a durable, insulated cable. The result is a cable with cotton as its true primary insulation – a material that does not add or subtract charge from the strands, damps vibration, and offers superior dielectric strength to practically everything – without the strands or constructs being vulnerable, as the cotton-encased litz construct is protected in the outer layers.

18.8awg (~19awg) pure OCC silver litz.  The 14-bundle design of Complement4 expands to 30 bundles arranged into six subgroups; Prion contains more than double the amount of OCC silver as Complement4. The ultrapure single-crystal litz silver bundles are arrayed into a cylindrical-tube layout inside each Complement4 Integrated Wire. This design greatly reduces skin effect as each strand alternates between the inside and the outside of the wire construct along the cable’s length, equalizing impedance throughout the wire. Each tiny strand of OCC silver is coated in an invisible, razor-thin enamel layer which prevents oxidation and cross-talk between strands, eliminating diodic junctions and their propensity for energy storage. This conductor goes above and beyond in terms of current carrying capability. Not just any OCC silver, we have combed the world for silver that sounds this way, casting many possible designs and materials aside. This metal is chosen for its unique combination of precision and forgiveness. We find it even less harsh-sounding than copper, even with troublesome recordings, due to its refinement. Those who hear our silver ask “How is this silver? It’s so smooth and easygoing…”

Center conductive/damping core. DHC helped introduce type 4 litz with our original Peptide V2 type 4 litz wires – an optimized version of the type 2 litz with a core of damping material at the center, keeping the litz strands out of the wire’s “dead spot” at its center, and aiding in litz’s prime goal of equally distributing each strand between the wire’s surface and its interior. With Prion4, we take the damping core featurel to a higher level with our conductive core – a DHC first. The core is made of a resistive material which absorbs any internal static buildup, while also allowing vibration damping on all sides of the litz strands – they are “sandwiched” between cotton and this core – the perfect internal environment.

Complement’s channel isolation. Each channel’s pair of Integrated Wires is isolated into individual sleeves, and we typically do not twist these channel pairs together, providing separate cables for 3-pin XLR models and two separate cables ending in a 4-pin XLR or 1/4″ plug otherwise. In this way, soundstage integrity is preserved.

Maximum isolation for 3 pin XLR cables. To further lower Prion4’s noise floor, opt for Prion4S with Spore Shielding, only for 3 pin XLR cables. Ultra-light metal shielding is applied to each strand to provide further protection from noisy environments. This upgrade is optional, and for optimal ergonomics we recommend forgoing it.

Practical Features.

Exclusive sleeves. A huge variety of DHC’s sleeves are available, with many base colors and metallic tracers, including some of our favorites: white/metallic silver, black/antique gold, and black/red. The new Prion Signature sleeve is available exclusively for Prion4, featuring dual-colored metallic tracers (copper and silver) on a dark gray sleeve. If you would like to nominate a new color combination, just ask.

Still comfortable. Despite its extreme nature, the thickness of the Prion4’s four cables are only 13% greater than those of Complement4, as the larger silver construct inside is still only one part of the complete design. The cable is light & flexible for what it is, but is not recommended for portable systems, as it is overkill for that application.

Eidolic terminations.  Only the best plugs hand-chosen by us are available for Prion4, including Eidolic’s complete lineup of connectors. Due to its specifications, only certain terminations are available, so if they are not listed below, then they are not an option.

PEERLESS Eidolic 4-pin XLR. If your amplifier has 4-pin XLR, this is the way to go. If you don’t have a 4-pin XLR amp, it’s your ticket to a significant upgrade – the Peerless XLR. Made with rhodium-plated pure silver pins, PTFE Teflon insulator, and a titanium alloy shell, it is simply the finest amp-end connector ever created.

Recommended pairings.  This cable is offered for specific headphones – we recommend it highly for HE1000/X/Susvara, Sony Z1R, Empyrean, Utopia, Abyss, LCD3/4/X, Dharma, and HD800/S.
For a more portable cable with much of Prion4’s capability, check out Molecule Elite19 and for your in-ear monitors, Symbiote Elite 19.

Expand compatibility with Triple Threat adapters. We offer compatibility with other headphones (only the ones listed as valid headphone types in the Prion4 headphone type menu) by way of short adapters to convert the cable’s upper connectors to another headphone type. Pick Ultrashort triple threat adapters for the best possible performance and shortest length. Pick Prion adapters for adapters made with the same materials as the cable, which add length & flexibility, avoiding multiple connectors joined together at the earcup. While Ultrashort Triple Threat adapters are the most minimal possible connection, they may not be ergonomic enough for some customers, so we offer both options.

No Y-Split. As a purist cable, Prion4 is not intended for use with y-splits that require the two channels to be woven together up to the y-split. There are no suitable y-splits and they go against the cable’s design philosophy.

Ready to travel.  Includes a customized blue-filament black carbon fiber case large enough for your Prion4 and maybe a DAP and amp.

No questions asked warranty. It’s hard to say how you’d damage this cable, but we’ll fix it for free for life, or reterminate it at a low cost (barring impossible reterminations, cables sliced down the middle, etc), after shipping costs.

Prion4 cylinder badge
An optional enhancement – a 3D printed cast sterling silver or bronze cylinder with Prion4 marque plate. An ingenious design lets it thread on and be held in place with silicone grommets so that it cannot move around easily but can be removed or repositioned if necessary. The cylinder has the DHC logo on the flip side with tiny holes comprising the logo’s dots.

Prion4 Limited

For 4 pin XLR and 6.3mm models, we can create a bespoke cable with unique sleeving combinations, one of many exotic sterling silver y-splitters, and a single-cable quad layout below the y-split. This type of build takes more than twice as long to assemble, but is easily the most striking cables in the DHC lineup. Pictured with our “silver atom” split, an outrageous design built around a realistic model of the silver atom, these Prion4-specialized splitters are much larger and more costly than our usual small silver splitters found on our IEM cables. We do not recommend choosing this layout for ergonomic reasons, it’s about the same in that regard.
Includes Prion4 cylinder badge in sterling silver or bronze.
After ordering, we will design the cable together via email.

Listening notes:

Closing gaps. With two flagship headphones, where one is preferred to another, Prion4 will push the under-performing headphone ahead of the higher-performing headphone (assuming both headphones were using the same cable before Prion4 was added).

Focus. It’s just like being Neo in the Matrix and the objects on the soundstage are the bullets. Time feels like it’s slowing; details that escaped you before come into focus. If our previous flagship was a microscope, Prion4 is Google for details – it relentlessly extracts all the content of the music file and exposes it clearly.

That first song feeling. The special quality of the first track in your listening session never goes away; the lack of fatigue and presentation of unfamiliar details helps maintain this sensation.

Treble refinement. Not every song with harsh treble is actually harsh – the treble simply needs to be managed properly without its nuances taken away, or else it becomes grating and unlistenable. Putting Prion4 through the brightest and most sibilant tracks, the upper frequencies are delicate, laid back, and presented with confidence.

The midrange has heart. Does your favorite cable & headphone bring tears to your eyes sometimes? Convincing emotion can’t be simulated with lesser equipment – it has to be felt. I’m reliving what I felt the first time I heard a song.

Bass forms a complete construct, not layers. This is not the bass presentation we are accustomed to hearing. The layers coalesce into an amorphous, high-pressure aura that lifts & supports the soundstage, giving a truly intimate ambiance.

Apollonian cable represents elegance with a sleek thermo and chemical resistant multifilament nylon lower sleeving and non-sleeved L/R channels, displaying wires through its clear insulation. Not only does it provide protection, but it improves ergonomics and is tangle-resistant. Features four high quality, custom designed UPOCC stranded wires with durable and flexible polyethylene outer insulation which are braided to provide better quality sound while reducing low range and interference noises. Selecting Type 6 Litz wires will prevent electrical anomalies such as skin effect and proximity effect, in addition to preventing oxidation by applying a special enamel coating to individually insulate every strand for long lasting sound quality and appearance. The multiple proprietary dampening cores function to reduce vibration - keeping conductivity constant throughout for the best quality sound. All wires are cryogenically treated to strengthen the structure of the wires for maximum durability and performance. Constructed with the highest quality components available make this one of the best interchangeable cables on the market today.

Features

• Personalize your cable based on available options. [Contact us if you require a custom length or component]

• Ultra Pure OCC Type 6 Litz is the most advanced wire on the market featuring multiple proprietary dampening cores for vibration reduction, consistent conductivity, better overall feel and ergonomics, and prevents electrical anomalies.

• Sleeved lower section of cable for wire protection and improved ergonomics.

• Selected PS connectors and plugs made from pure gold plated copper with strong anodized aluminum shell for high quality conductivity and reliability.

• Selected PS y-splitters and sliders are made out of anodized aluminum for optimal durability.

• 3D Printed y-splitters are designed and manufactured in-house from durable acrylic material.

• Handcrafted in the USA.

To learn more about a specific component, visit our About page.

Package includes

• Apollonian Series Custom Cable Note: Add 'Cable

• Amplifier Band

• Information Card

• PS Premium Packaging [only for Priority and Express shipments]

Photos

To view diagram of Apollonian series, click HERE.
To view all examples of this cable series, click HERE.

Note: Add 'Cable Upgrades/Changes' to your order if you need to make any of the following changes: Increase Cable Length, Add Third Party Termination, JH Siren/Performance, Recabling Service, Add In-Line Microphone, and Rush Order.

Compatibility List

Sennheiser > HD5XX (HD518/HD558/HD598, Momentum) HD6XX (HD580/HD600/HD650/HD660S) (Also compatible with: Fostex TH-900 MKII, TH610), HD700, HD800/HD800S/HD820 (Also compatible with: EnigmAcousticsDharma, Campfire Audio Cascade)

AKG > K 141 MK II, K 171 MK II, K 181 DJ, K 240, K 240 MK II, K 271 MK II, K702, Q701, K712, K7XX [Also compatible with: Pioneer (RHP-20, HDJ-2000), Beyerdynamic (DT1170 Pro)], K812, K872 

HiFiMan (SMC) > HE-5, HE-5LE, HE-6, HE-300, HE-400, HE-400i, HE-500, HE-560

Audeze > LCD (LCD-2, LCD-3, LCD-4, LCD-X, LCD-XC, LCD2C, LCD-MX4) [Also compatible with ZMF (Blackwood, Vibro, Omni, Atticus, Eikon, Auteur), Kennerton (Vali, Odin), Meze Audio (Empyrean)], EL-8 (Open, Closed), Sine

MrSpeakers > Mad Dog, Mad Dog Pro, Alpha Dog, Alpha Prime, Ether, Ether C, Ether Flow, Ether C Flow, Aeon

Dual 2.5mm > Oppo (PM-1, PM-2), Sennheiser (HD700), HiFiMan (HE-350, HE-400i, HE-400 S, HE-560, HE-1000, Edition X, Edition S, Susvara, Sundara), Audioquest (Nighthawk, NightOwl)

Single 3.5mm > Ultrasone (PROline/PRO models (PRO 550, PRO 650, PRO 750, PRO 900, PRO 2500, PRO 2900), DJ1 PRO, HFI-2200/2400, Equation Audio (RP-21x, RP-22x, RP-15MC), Sony (MDR-NC500D/MDR-NC200D/MDR-NC60/MDR-NC600D/MDR-1R/MDR-Z100), M-Audio (Studiophile Q40), Oppo (PM-3), Beyerdynamic (Custom One Pro), Philips (Fidelio X1, X2), Master & Dynamic (MH30, MH40), Focal (Spirit, Listen)

Dual 3.5mm > Denon (AH-D600, AH-D7100, AH-D7200), Sony (MDR-Z7), Beyerdynamic (T1 2nd Gen, T5 2nd Gen), JVC (HA-SW01/Wood 1, HA-SW02/Wood 2), McIntosh (MHP1000), Final Audio Design (Pandora, Sonorous, Hope),Focal (Elear, Clear, Clear Pro), Pioneer (SE-Monitor 5), Onkyo (A800)

MMCX > Ultrasone (Edition 5, Edition 8), Shure (SHR1440, SHR1840)

Dual 3-Pin Mini XLR > JPS Labs (Abyss AB-1266)

LEMO > AKG (K812), Focal (Utopia)


Recabling/Hardwiring services available for the following:

Grado > SR60 SR60i, SR80, SR80i, SR125, SR125i, SR225, SR225i, SR325, SR325i, RS1, RS1i, RS2, RS2i, GS1000, GS1000i, MS1, MS1i, MS2, MS2i, MSpro, etc.

Denon > AH-D2000, AH-D5000, AH-D7000

AKG > K501, K701

Beyerdynamic > DT770, DT880, DT990, T1, T5P