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: 07 July 2015 by Mike-B

Originally Posted by Goodsounds:

Is there any minimum length required to connect to Supernait2?

You will only know the correct answer to that if you know the inductance of the TQB, but that's a TQ state secret

The SN is not fussy, but I would go for length over tidy whatever

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by ChrisSU

Originally Posted by Goodsounds:

A local dealer has TQ Black 2x3 meters available for home demo.
Is there any minimum length required to connect to Supernait2?
(Speakers are Kudos Super20)
With my current rack position 2x2 meters would be sufficient,
in case I would change this, it could end up with 2x6 meters needed.

Ask your dealer if the cable is suitable for/compatible with your amp and speakers. Then, if it all goes horribly wrong (which I very much doubt) the ball will be in his court.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Mattnbarns

I use 2x3m of TQB on an SN2. No issues.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Goodsounds

Thanks for all your feedback. I will book a demo for TQ Black for end of next week to compare with my current Chord Carnival SilverScreen.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Donkeyhaute

I'm using two x 7m lengths (demo) on a CB NAP 250 and it didn't get warm (driving Guru QM10 mk IIs). I ordered two 3.5 metre lengths from my dealer when I came to buy.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Donkeyhaute

Mr Halibut,

Once your 272 arrives, I'd be grateful if you could post about the differences between that and a NAP 250 + SuperUniti, which is what I think we're both currently using, along with the Tellurium?

Albeit, you have have a modern 250 and our speakers are different.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Rob T

Originally Posted by Donkeyhaute:

Mr Halibut,

Once your 272 arrives, I'd be grateful if you could post about the differences between that and a NAP 250 + SuperUniti, which is what I think we're both currently using, along with the Tellurium?

Albeit, you have have a modern 250 and our speakers are different.

I have moved from SU/250 to 272/XPS/250 soon to be 250-DR the system is in a different league by adding the TQB and Witch Hat XLR/DIN from stock naim cables has been nothing short of staggering good, it is impossible to put into words but I can say wholeheartedly you will not be disappointed when you move up to the 272/250 even without the add on PSU. The TQB speaker cables have made a huge improvement in SQ well worth every penny.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by pete T15

Originally Posted by Mattnbarns:

I use 2x3m of TQB on an SN2. No issues.

+1 and bought from a Naim dealer .

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

I'm currently using the SU by itself, and will move directly to a 272/250DR. An XPS may or may not arrive in the future, but if it does it is unlikely to be soon. But judging by what Rob says, I suspect it will be a huge leap, even without the power supply.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by varyat

Has anyone switched from the Tellurium speaker cable to the SuperLumina speaker cable?

What did the SL bring to the party?

ATB,

Mark

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by varyat

Gary,

Have you tried the Tellurium Black in your system?

Curious how SL compares to the Tellurium ...

ATB,

MarkOriginally Posted by gary yeowell:

Originally Posted by gary yeowell:

Chris, i am guessing they have only been out of the box for a few hours at best.

Just to follow up on my rather dismissive SL comments i feel i should comment a little further. Last night i re installed them between SN2 and SL2 instead of the NSats. Today this is much more like i would have expected, and very very nice with a whole new level of performance. I really think the SL cable, with its much more highly resolved sound, cleaner bass, and extended frequencies did nothing for the NSats which went a little 'hifi'. SL2 however has responded really rather well, and i think additionally overnight, the cable has settled a little.

Additional layering in the mix is very evident, and there is a calmness to proceedings that is impressive.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

For six times the price, the SL ought to bring something pretty significant.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Rob T

Having had a pair of SL speaker cables on loan for a week in my system they were very good but lets just say the performance of the TQB is about 70%-75% of the SL cables imho, to me the added cost in my system made me question if they were the way to go and in the end used that money to upgrade my nap 250 to a DR version, my dealer also felt this would be a better upgrade option for me and offer good VFM. As always it is all subjective and system dependent but that's how I felt the SL performed in my system compared to the TQB.

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by 911gt3r

Originally Posted by Rob T:

Having had a pair of SL speaker cables on loan for a week in my system they were very good but lets just say the performance of the TQB is about 70%-75% of the SL cables imho, to me the added cost in my system made me question if the were they way to go and in the end used that money to upgrade my nap 250 to a DR version, my dealer also felt this would be a better upgrade option for me and offer good VFM.

Sounds a sensible approach Rob. ATB Peter PS. Really enjoying ' Airbag'

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Allante93

Dear Donkeyhaute

“I'm using two x 7m lengths (demo) on a CB NAP 250 and it didn't get warm (driving Guru QM10 mk IIs). I ordered two 3.5 metre lengths from my dealer when I came to buy.”

You are well within the parameters. In fact 2.0 m above the optimum.

"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!"

Hence,

3.5m min.

5.0m opt.

20m. max.

Also it appears that if one moves from an Naim integrated amp to Naim separates they might expect some sonic difference from Any Speaker Cable, for better or worse!

Enjoy your Cables!

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Rob T

Originally Posted by 911gt3r:

Originally Posted by Rob T:

Having had a pair of SL speaker cables on loan for a week in my system they were very good but lets just say the performance of the TQB is about 70%-75% of the SL cables imho, to me the added cost in my system made me question if the were they way to go and in the end used that money to upgrade my nap 250 to a DR version, my dealer also felt this would be a better upgrade option for me and offer good VFM.

Sounds a sensible approach Rob. ATB Peter PS. Really enjoying ' Airbag'

Yes its rather good glad your enjoying it Peter! ATB

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by Allante93

Dear Pete T15

“The critical thing to keep in mind with Naim amplifiers (with the exception of some of the integrated amps) is that the electrical properties of the speaker cable (inductance and capacitance, specifically) are designed effectively as part of the amplifier circuit, thus, if these electrical properties are absent, the amplifier may become unstable. This is why 3.5 meters as a minimum is specified, as it exhibits the minimum inductance, resistance and appropriate capacitance for the amp to operate in an ideal state.”

I would expect a stability problem would be less of a factor in the following order:

Non Naim Amps

Naim Integrated Amps

Naim Chrome

Naim Olive

Naim Black

“I use 2x3m of TQB on an SN2. No issues.

+1 and bought from a Naim dealer”

So pete T15 you are within parameters, using Naim Integrated Amp and only off by .5m!

Now all this is related to
Stability of Amp and Heating Issues, I’m not saying anything about sound quality. If it sounds good great! After all Naim decided to design da SL’s for the Statement Amp. And I’m quite sure a 200K set up would include 5.0 meters of Super Lumina.

Enjoy your Speaker Cables with Naim Amps, If it sounds good and retains that Naim Prat!

Wow! Nice Forum Hungry!

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by MDS

Originally Posted by varyat:

Has anyone switched from the Tellurium speaker cable to the SuperLumina speaker cable?

What did the SL bring to the party?

ATB,

Mark

I recently switched from TQ Green, itself a significant step-up from TQ Black, to SL. At the same time I also upgraded my Hi-line to SL interconnect, all used in a classic system. I posted details at the time which a search will reveal but in summary I felt the leap in performance was comparable to upgrading a black box. In other words, it's huge.

If you can afford the SL cables, Mark, do trial them. If you can't, or can but aren't prepared to spend that much on speaker cables, stay well clear and comfort yourself with TQ being very good indeed.

Mike

Posted on: 07 July 2015 by varyat

Thanks for your insight MDS-much appreciated!

ATB,

Mark

Posted on: 08 July 2015 by apye!

My jumper cables arrived today, at last!!

They have improved the SQ yet again over the Chord Signature jumpers!

Posted on: 08 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

Originally Posted by Allante93:

Dear Hungryhalibut, sorry for using bold letters, Remember I'm a Newbie. I'm quite sure members of the forum can read, just wanted to emphasize on key points. After all everyone doest have an 142 IQ.

But Correct if I'm wrong wasn't Julian trying to take the speaker cable out of the equation as an afterthought! Quotes from very informative Forum with Chris West @ AV Options tunning in:

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 ...

Yes that's right ... the integrated amps and all-in-one units are more tolerant of different spec wires than the current and legacy power amp ranges. They still don't have output inductors though, so you can't go too wild with lo inductance or high capacitance wires!

So moving on from donkey years ago, Naim has decided to design SL, Great! But designed specifically for the Statement!

Point n Case, Julian, Chis, and myself would expect greater improvement, or changes with speaker wire, from Integrated amps!

And all this with just a Super Uniti!

When I get some spare Cash, I to will experiment, Enjoy!

Now we just need to get you using the same size font as everyone else and balance will be restored.

Posted on: 08 July 2015 by TOBYJUG

Originally Posted by apye!:

My jumper cables arrived today, at last!!

They have improved the SQ yet again over the Chord Signature jumpers!

apye!:

Could you indulge my curiosity and tell me what the jars with purple stuff are in the pic!:

Posted on: 08 July 2015 by Allante93

Now we just need to get you using the same size font as everyone else and balance will be restored.

Ok, I still haven't learned how to gray in quote's but I'm learning, I'm out. Please let me know if the 272 changes the game! Hope the content was informative!

Posted on: 08 July 2015 by apye!

Originally Posted by TOBYJUG:

Originally Posted by apye!:

My jumper cables arrived today, at last!!

They have improved the SQ yet again over the Chord Signature jumpers!

apye!:

Could you indulge my curiosity and tell me what the jars with purple stuff are in the pic!:

Yankee Candles!!

Posted on: 08 July 2015 by Mr THX

Ahhhhh the old candle trick ....

Lights off, candles on always improves the sound