Tellurium Q Black in da house

Must be a relief if you are now getting something worthwhile out of the new cables.  But when you mention trying Naim nickel plugs each end on TQB, it means hacking off the factory terminated Bfa plugs (assuming these are new lengths with factory fitted plugs) on those cables?  Wouldn't that be counter-productive for any cable, even if the Naim nickel plugs are technically supposed to be better, as you'd be removing a manufacturer-fitted assembly on yourTQB?  Please do update on whether or not the TQB will stay or go in your system, I may also be about to jump on the already overloaded bandwagon.

Cables always seem to take a long time to run in, so it's hard to make quick decisions. As I've said previously, the TQB was conclusively better than A5 between my SU and PMC 23s, but the A5 is better between the 250 DR and SL2s. It just sounds more 'right' - it just gets out of the way and lets the music through, so you can just forget about the system and enjoy it. Knowing what I know now, I don't think I'd use TQB with Ovators, or any Naim speaker come to that. Luckily for me I didn't lose a bean, and enjoyed better sound while I had the PMCs. But I certainly wouldn't risk the full new price without a good, long, home trial. 

After 2 weeks listening to the TQB I Switched back to Naim A5 and it was a case of "Sweet Home Alabama"! Much more life and dynamism. Lively and back on song. It was an expensive exercise as there is precious little TQB sold locally and it had to be imported. So onto the local auction site it goes.

I did not get the TQB ends re terminated in Naim plugs, so as not to effect resale value.

I still feel the TQB must have a lot to offer in other systems, going on reports here from many happy members, but with Naim cables from the 250DR to Ovators with dedicated Ovator plugs and system expertly set up by local dealer, the Naim cable trounced the TQB.

Put the money towards a 272....

Absolutely HH, funds will go into the 272 savings account. In the meantime will make do with my Super-Duper Uniti, what with a 250DR up it.

This discussion stops now.

A5 is the pure Naim truth.

That's funny, I thought I ended it on July 1st.

Following Statement off the Naim Forum Dialogue with Chris West: 

“I like to look at it this way... in comparison with non-naim gear with universal (compromised) "any speaker wire and length" amp output design.

Effectively, the Naim amp circuit  "output terminations" are moved 3.5 meters closer to the speaker by this method. In an average set up with around 12 feet of wire the Naim system will work as if the speakers were directly connected to the amp with no speaker wire! “

“People spend thousands on wires with the aim of making them have no impact on the sound. As if to make them sonically vanish. Julian used his noodle and made it happen from day one of Naim amp design by integrating a well defined and inexpensive wire into the amps circuit! Neatly removing speaker wires as an sonically indeterminate after thought …"

Now SL, that's a different league!

Enjoy your gear!  

It wouldn't be a proper NAIM Forum Thread if the conclusion didn't come back around to prove the NAIM-branded product to be better than competing product X. 

I've never heard NAC A5. Still enjoying my TQB. Still reflect on the several dealers I contacted who sell both A5 and TQB and prefer the latter. 

Is TQB more expensive than NACA 5 and with a higher profit margin? [Yes].

Dealers have to live, and they live by profit margin. Might that skew their advice? Possibly, but not inevitably with the best dealers ...

Audition some NACA 5. It may well surprise you. Can be had second hand for even less than as new from a dealer if you no longer like your dealer ... 

ATB from George

It's not that clear - with the PMCs I thought the TQB was clearly better. But with the SL2s the situation was reversed. On reflection, it could be because the SL2s have two lengths of A5 between the crossovers and the drive units, so maybe the A5/TQB partnership is not an entirely happy one. 

Good point HH, that's the same situation with my Briks.  Nac A 4/ Linn K 20 transferring signal from crossovers to drivers.  Hence, keeping the same cable throughout the system seems  like a better approach. 

Not in the USA. NAC A5 costs more than TQB here. Ca. $500 vs. $650 USD for 3M.

So your dealer logic doesn't apply here.  

Audition some TQ Black. It may well surprise you

My system now has in place TQ Black speaker cable instead of NAC A5 and it has been a worthwhile move as others have described.  Upon installation of TQ Black the immediate change is in the tonal character, much more natural sounding. The NAC A5 has a tinge of sharpness when delivering sound which may be tolerable to live with, but the TQ Black is substantially better. From a non-expert view, if there is such a thing as 'cable technology', it may be that TQ Black is very good at cleansing and purifying the signal being sent to the speakers, neutralising the unwanted artefacts.

Then during the next 12, 24 & 48 hours of playing music, the sound through TQ Black is a bit more detailed. You may notice a couple of new instruments or vocals per track. More significant though is that it is much easier to resolve and determine what the existing sounds are for a given piece of music, whereas with the NAC A5 it was more difficult to define entirely what was being heard.

Also the volume level for listening can be set higher when using TQ Black. With NAC A5 it reached a point of shrillness at the same volume levels.  So being able to set higher volume, you may get more of those moments of exhilaration when the music reaches soaring highs and crescendos - so a better musical experience all round. Rhythmic drive, dynamism and timing might be a little better with TQ Black than with NAC A5, although most of the time they sound equally matched in this specific area.

My system is very modest compared to what others have but I'd equate the performance increase value of TQ Black to be like 50 to 60% of that expected when using better piece of hardware (e.g. amplifier or DAC).  So you might not be entirely blown away in the same way as when using new hardware, nevertheless TQ Black is the new standard-bearer when it comes to NAC A5 replacement.

IMO that is a pretty accurate description you have made there Disposable hero.

The TQ black may well work in a range of naim based systems below the super lumina territory. It gets even more out of the way and seems to lesson some of the noise / mess artefact of NAC A5. Yet not loose any vibrant emotional push or expression.

Couple of months ago I posted a report on this thread and since have always been very pleased. Lovely,quite (Natural )music with One Thing audio ESLs and even a little better with their widgets fitted.

But as we all well know every system is different and perhaps like our ears who really knows How to be trully accurate whatever that may be.

( Having the end terminals both ends at loudspeaker and amplifier pulled out just slightly.) --Try that as well. And for some cable suspension may also enhance. You only know if you try.

As for the stupid demon of running in I have heard between 200 to 400 hours. !! ?