Tellurium Q Black in da house

Posted by: hungryhalibut on 23 June 2015

Postie arrived this morning with a cardboard box containing 2 4m lengths of Tellurium Q Black speaker cable, bought from James of this fine Forum. Even with the PMC twenty.23's nasty biwire links reinstalled they are sounding very good compared to the A5. They are not at all dull, like the Chord Odyssey I tried before, and seem to provide the drive and engagement of A5 while wiping away a layer of mush and providing greater clarity and insight. They are smaller than the A5 and much floppier, which makes them easier to handle, which is a welcome improvement. I've ordered some Q Black biwire links so that I can make a proper assessment, but initial impressions are very positive.

Posted on: 20 July 2015 by solwisesteve

Originally Posted by Mayor West:

The longer this thread continues, the worse my itch is getting to try these cables

I've already spoken to my local dealer and plan to 'borrow' a set from him some time this week.

btw what about length? Okay I understand that A5 uses the cable as part of the circuit, hence the 3.5m length rule, but what about the TQB? Would it be daft to go for 2x2m lengths?

Posted on: 20 July 2015 by Mike-B

Originally Posted by solwisesteve:

btw what about length? Okay I understand that A5 uses the cable as part of the circuit, hence the 3.5m length rule, but what about the TQB? Would it be daft to go for 2x2m lengths?

TQ do not publish even the basic CL&R data, so we don't know.

One day someone with a meter will measure it ......... anyone want to loan me a length for an hour ???

Posted on: 20 July 2015 by james n

Originally Posted by solwisesteve:

Originally Posted by Mayor West:

The longer this thread continues, the worse my itch is getting to try these cables

I've already spoken to my local dealer and plan to 'borrow' a set from him some time this week.

btw what about length? Okay I understand that A5 uses the cable as part of the circuit, hence the 3.5m length rule, but what about the TQB? Would it be daft to go for 2x2m lengths?

Steve - it's not far off A5 as far as LCR parameters go so just stick to the usual Naim 3.5m guidelines and you won't go far wrong.

Enjoy the demo

Posted on: 20 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

Originally Posted by james n:

It's funny how times change. When i bought my TQ Blacks, 5 or so years ago, the response on the forum was a lot different to what it is today. It's good to see a less insular approach and to hear that so many are finding these cables a good alternative to A5

Blimey, is it five years? It seems like only yesterday. No wonder my cables are well run in.

Posted on: 21 July 2015 by essezeta

btw what about length? Okay I understand that A5 uses the cable as part of the circuit, hence the 3.5m length rule, but what about the TQB? Would it be daft to go for 2x2m lengths?

I submitted the same question some days ago but, finally, I went for a pair of 3+3 mt. just because I got them as ex demo and saved money.

I don't knows if 3.5+3.5 would have been sonically better; anyway I didn't notice any particular "phisical" problem on amp side, I mean increasing in heating, buzzing, etc...

best regards,

Stefano

Posted on: 22 July 2015 by solwisesteve

Sat on the passenger seat of my car are a boxed 5m pair of TQB on loan. :-)

Dealer said 3.5m minimum.... I'm not sure about that myself.... not without knowing the full electrical specs but there you go.

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by dayjay

I've just purchased two 4 metre lengths, plus biwire links that I don't actually need, off a well known auction site. Looking forward to seeing what they sound like!

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by solwisesteve

Originally Posted by dayjay:

I've just purchased two 4 metre lengths, plus biwire links that I don't actually need, off a well known auction site. Looking forward to seeing what they sound like!

I was watching that item but decided I didn't want the links.

Just ordered 2x3.5m lengths from my local dealer :-)

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by Gavin B

Where would be a good place to order this? Somewhere capable of adding Naim plugs to the amp end. I'm tempted to give it a try with a birthday coming up!

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by solwisesteve

Originally Posted by Gavin B:

Where would be a good place to order this? Somewhere capable of adding Naim plugs to the amp end. I'm tempted to give it a try with a birthday coming up!

I just went to my normal local hifi shop who is also a Naim dealer. tbh he told me from the start to go the Tellurium Q route but being new to the world of Naim amps I went the 'safe' route by getting A5. My local dealear just goes with the idea of factory fitted bananas at each end.

If you don't have a local dealer then there are plenty of online sellers - not sure if I'm allowed to mention anywhere but I've been happy with futureshop for previous purchases.

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by Rob T

Originally Posted by solwisesteve:

Originally Posted by Gavin B:

Where would be a good place to order this? Somewhere capable of adding Naim plugs to the amp end. I'm tempted to give it a try with a birthday coming up!

If you don't have a local dealer then there are plenty of online sellers - not sure if I'm allowed to mention anywhere but I've been happy with futureshop for previous purchases.

+1 Very good online shop and do a burn in service as a bonus.

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by Yetizone

Did any of the new Tellurium converts explore alternatives prior to committing? Just wondered if any did cable back to back comparisons. Thinking along the lines of Chord Epic, Black Rhodium Samba VS-1 offerings etc. Just curious

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by Frenchnaim

I didn't, I had Chord Odyssey 4 to start with, found the cable was far too visible in the room, and went for Tellurium Q instead, which is much easier to hide under the carpet. That was 3 years ago.

I like the sound, but I must admit I've never tried NACA5 - which, incidentally, is now rather expensive in Continental Europe (46€ a metre).

Posted on: 27 July 2015 by solwisesteve

Originally Posted by Yetizone:

No.... it comes down to what the local dealer has access to. Based upon a couple of hours listen it was obvious that the TQB gave improved clarity and better definition compared to the A5. Also it's one heck of a lot easier to handle and route!!

Posted on: 28 July 2015 by Rob T

Originally Posted by Yetizone:

Yes I tried Super Lumina for a week, did not do direct back to back comparison as the SL had to go back to the my dealer, the TQB is roughly 75% of its performance in my system the SL is smoother and has more low level detail and depth but the difference was not that big and the TQB is a fraction of the SL price, I have gained far more upgrading my my amp, the TQB with 272/XPS-DR 250-DR into PMC 26 just works and is way better than Nac A5.

Posted on: 28 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

I had tried Chord Odyssey in the past, but did not compare it back to back with the Tellurium. The Odyssey is very organised and clear but somehow uninvolving (that is what I meant in my original post, rather than dull as in not bright), and I can see why many people like it. When I got the Tellurium I'd never seen or heard it, but took a punt as it was only £150. I certainly am not a Tellurium zealot, and I had no idea whatsoever that so many people would try it out for themselves. That they have is great though, as it's a teriffic cable which sounds great and is nice and easy to use, and I'm so pleased that others are enjoying it too.

Posted on: 28 July 2015 by Stevee_S

I'm not sure if the capacitance issue has been resolved yet but I tripped over this today on Amazon where the (retail Hi-Fi store) seller of the TQB quote the following:

Inductance/Metre: 1.2uHÂ (at 22 oC, and 10KHz)
Capacitance/Metre: 1pF (at 22 oC, and 10Khz)

Posted on: 29 July 2015 by dayjay

One of the best upgrades I've ever done, and great vfm. Good call Mr Hallibut!

Posted on: 29 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

Excellent, and if it makes Rush listenable it's got to be good! Another happy bunny.

Posted on: 29 July 2015 by dayjay

Shocking thing to say HH, and on Geddy's birthday too!

Posted on: 29 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

Now, loving Rush as I do(n't) I didn't need Google to tell me who he is.... Hopefully TQB will make the birthday boy's music even more enjoyable.

Posted on: 30 July 2015 by solwisesteve

Originally Posted by Stevee_S:

I'm not sure if the capacitance issue has been resolved yet but I tripped over this today on Amazon where the (retail Hi-Fi store) seller of the TQB quote the following:

Inductance/Metre: 1.2uHÂ (at 22 oC, and 10KHz)
Capacitance/Metre: 1pF (at 22 oC, and 10Khz)

So (copied from another site) A5 is

Capacitance: 16pF per metre
Resistance: 9 milliohms per metre
Inductance: 1uH per metre

Capacitance is a lot higher with the A5... Does that mean that A5 will tend to filter out high frequencies more than TQB.

Posted on: 30 July 2015 by Gavin B

I've ordered a 3.5m pair that should arrive in the middle of next week, ready for a birthday weekend rebuild (of the system, not me!)

Posted on: 31 July 2015 by wirbeltier

Good evening Gentlemen

Another happy TQ Black owner in da haus.

More detail, more elegant, more atmosphere, clearer dynamics. Very happy with it, the NACA5 seems hamfisted compared to it.

Happy I took the plunge

Posted on: 31 July 2015 by Mr THX

Think I'm going to have to try these ....

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