Tellurium Q Black Nait XS2

Is it worth trying a different usb? One without silver plated conductors? 

In my room and setup and for my taste, the NaitXS is anything but tinny, even on a IKEA Lack shelf I had fun listening to music, although far from ideal. Before swapping amp I would look into speakers and source. 

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Frenchnaim posted:

A very good friend of mine runs a CD5XS, Nait XS and Neats and it's certainly not tinny.

I agree, it certainly isn't. CD5XS/NaitXS/FCXS is an extremely well-balanced combination - the NaitXS is definitely more forgiving than the SN2.

And yet everyone seems to quite the SN2 as being smoother.

I'm going to loan a Flat Cap. See if it helps with the 'tiss tiss tiss' percussion. 

Now the TQ Black has settled everything else is fabulous. Not prepared to give up on my choices yet. They are all nice components which stood out in months of auditions.

I had the NaitXS/FCXS combination until last year (with TQ Black, incidentally). I now have a SN2, which I find more difficult to "manage" - which is why I'm thinking of getting a Hicap DR (more expense!).

If it's any help I have basically the same amp/speakers. XS 2 + Proac Studio 115 (NAC A5).

Give me an example of a tune that sounds tinny to you. I wouldn't say my setup sounds tinny except with very poor recordings. On the other hand the Proacs are studio monitors and won't do much in the way of adding meat to the bones. I'm not familiar with the 2Qute but I'm under the impression that it leans to the colder side of neutral. You want a warm sounding DAC get a Rega. Everything will sound nice and smooth zzzzz. You could also try some B&W CM5 S2s. You'll get more weight and smoother highs than the Proac's but the bass might be too much to handle in the wrong room.

My main quibble with the XS 2 has been the mid bass hump and definition some smear. The latter was resolved with a PSU upgrade, the former was somewhat exacerbated by it. I tend to blame the room for that.

If you want to hear tinny borrow something like a Cambridge 651A, insert it in place of your XS 2 and play some classical violin or muted trumpet.

I now have my XS and 2x Flatcap.I was going to go for A5 speaker cable but on the basis of discussion here I think I will go for the TQblack.Just curious - been offered Nordost Blue Heaven at a decent price but demo not possible at present.Anyone any experience of these cables with Naim?

My own thouights are the TQBlack would be more than decent with my equipment,

Iconoclast posted:

You want a warm sounding DAC get a Rega. Everything will sound nice and smooth zzzzz.

My main quibble with the XS 2 has been the mid bass hump and definition some smear.

Iconoclast,

I don't see your gear in your profile but if you are using a Rega DAC in your set up that would be the mid bass culprit to me, not the XS2. Barring TTs and carts, the Rega gear I've demo'd (integrateds, CDPs & phono stages) has had a pronounced mid bass bump. I find the comparable Naim gear generally has a flatter bottom end with a deeper grip on the lowest bass. To my ears Rega's pronounced mid bass bounce can add to musicality if you listen to rock music, as it more emphasizes the kick drum. In the long term, however, this becomes an artificial distraction to me.

Iconoclast posted:

If it's any help I have basically the same amp/speakers. XS 2 + Proac Studio 115 (NAC A5).

Give me an example of a tune that sounds tinny to you. I wouldn't say my setup sounds tinny except with very poor recordings. On the other hand the Proacs are studio monitors and won't do much in the way of adding meat to the bones. I'm not familiar with the 2Qute but I'm under the impression that it leans to the colder side of neutral. You want a warm sounding DAC get a Rega. Everything will sound nice and smooth zzzzz. You could also try some B&W CM5 S2s. You'll get more weight and smoother highs than the Proac's but the bass might be too much to handle in the wrong room.

My main quibble with the XS 2 has been the mid bass hump and definition some smear. The latter was resolved with a PSU upgrade, the former was somewhat exacerbated by it. I tend to blame the room for that.

If you want to hear tinny borrow something like a Cambridge 651A, insert it in place of your XS 2 and play some classical violin or muted trumpet.

I'm learning as I go here, bare with me. I 'believe' that my highs are actually quite smooth (especially now with the TQBlack). 

I believe my problem is upper mid frequencies (percussive instruments). Very tinny at times.

Example track:

Sade - Your Love Is King (WAV). 

The tiss tiss tiss and big TISS instrument that hits when the bass notes drop sound incredibly coarse/sharp/uncomfortable on my system.

The Chord cables hid this to an extent (blurred/bass heavy). The TQ exacerbate matters by defining the sound more but make everything else sound wonderful. Defined but silky and cohesive. And enough bass and drive to please rhythmically.

Cheers

petzhou posted:

I now have my XS and 2x Flatcap.I was going to go for A5 speaker cable but on the basis of discussion here I think I will go for the TQblack.Just curious - been offered Nordost Blue Heaven at a decent price but demo not possible at present.Anyone any experience of these cables with Naim?

My own thouights are the TQBlack would be more than decent with my equipment,

If you just want slam, pop and pace then the A5 is your best bet. 

But I found it dry and a bit lifeless, lacking emotion and warmth. Others will slate me for saying that! 

The TQ is well balanced, more polite, smoother and more relaxing. In twinkles and glides. But offers great insight to instruments and notes across the board. And has better than good weight and rhythm.

If I could solve other issues I wouldn't hesitate on TQ Black. I might try Blue range which are said to be more rounded and warmer/sweeter still.

I need to concentrate on my boxes though. But despite that I'm going to try TQ RCAs and USB. Replacing the silver with copper.

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Example track:

Sade - Your Love Is King (WAV). 

The tiss tiss tiss and big TISS instrument that hits when the bass notes drop sound incredibly coarse/sharp/uncomfortable on my system.

This track (whole album actually) is poorly mastered. Don't make a mistake of trying to tune your system with that.

You must appreciate a fact that most of the music you own on CDs or will buy has different mastering. Each one will sound differently.
You already have a revealing system that is starting to expose shortcomings in the recording quality, mastering and manufacturing of the actual CD disc.

Adam Zielinski posted:

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Example track:

Sade - Your Love Is King (WAV). 

The tiss tiss tiss and big TISS instrument that hits when the bass notes drop sound incredibly coarse/sharp/uncomfortable on my system.

This track (whole album actually) is poorly mastered. Don't make a mistake of trying to tune your system with that.

You must appreciate a fact that most of the music you own on CDs or will buy has different mastering. Each one will sound differently.
You already have a revealing system that is starting to expose shortcomings in the recording quality, mastering and manufacturing of the actual CD disc.

Damn it. I want lies! Tell me lies! 

Ok still learning.

I do lile the more analogue nature the TQ has brought though. Regardless of the tissyness in some tracks. 

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

NAC A5 was dry/bland but punchy and well timed. But the highs were a bit ropey at times. Was tempted but put the rumour back in and felt it was warmer in a nice way.

iMac/Audivarna(WAV library)>Chord Silver Plus USB>Chord 2Qute(TP PSU)>Chord Chameleon VEE3>Nait XS2>Chord Rumour 2 (2 metre pairs)>Proac 118. (All stock Naim power cables).

Adam, You would want longer lengths of Naca5 than this before you dismiss it. Also SA8 Naim bananas that came with your amp, at the amp end.

Chris

Christopher_M posted:

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

NAC A5 was dry/bland but punchy and well timed. But the highs were a bit ropey at times. Was tempted but put the rumour back in and felt it was warmer in a nice way.

iMac/Audivarna(WAV library)>Chord Silver Plus USB>Chord 2Qute(TP PSU)>Chord Chameleon VEE3>Nait XS2>Chord Rumour 2 (2 metre pairs)>Proac 118. (All stock Naim power cables).

Adam, You would want longer lengths of Naca5 than this before you dismiss it. Also SA8 Naim bananas that came with your amp, at the amp end.

Chris

I have 8ft (2.43m) lengths of NAC A5 + Naim bananas. Didn't really notice a difference with the 20ft lengths my Naim dealer lent me to try out. However I didn't do an actual A/B comparison.

When I ordered 8ft I was expecting he would try to sell me longer cables as per older Naim specs but he didn't even suggest it.

The first thing I learned when I got into hifi almost 40 yrs ago is that bad recordings(especially thin sounding ones) tend to sound worse on a good system. Just like I tend to look worse under a bunch of fluorescent lights than in a dimly light room.

You want all your music to sound ''good'' get one of these (1800w for $600!!!). I was getting a haircut the other day and was wondering what the background music (which sounded rich, detailed with plenty of bass) was being played on. My duty as an audiophile forced me to investigate further and found this lurking behind the curtain:

Oh yes - BASS BAZUCA!!!! Who needs all the green nonsense - SONY has fond an answer to all our problems And it comes in black'n'blue

Ok, Iconoclast, our Naca5 experiences differ. Do you think the Chord Silver Plus USB could be contributing to the tiss-tiss-tiss? Or the combination of that with the Chord 2Qute?

C.

Christopher_M posted:

Ok, Iconoclast, our Naca5 experiences differ. Do you think the Chord Silver Plus USB could be contributing to the tiss-tiss-tiss? Or the combination of that with the Chord 2Qute?

C.

I do suspect source and/or cables. I'm not familiar with Chord DACs so you'd need to get some Chord owners to chime in on their Chord/Naim experiences.

FWIW I had Chord Carnival Silver Screen speaker cables before switching to NAC A5. There definitely was a tizzyness about them. Prior to that I had Cardas which worked well to smooth things over on a non Naim system. With Naim they sounded too thick. In that price range NAC A5 are just right.

I'm not using a USB connection so I can't comment but in the past I had trouble discerning any major differences between a few entry level USB cables that I tried (Audioquest Forest, etc.) Same goes for RCA coax. I have a rather pricey one ($600) but I can't say I hear any major difference between it and a more affordable BJC cable. Subtle difference, yes, but not enough to make or break the sound. 

Differences more apparent with IC cables but not as much as speaker cables and in some cases barely noticeable.

The Chord 2Qute is slightly sharp sounding in the upper frequencies compared to Hugo & TT ime. 

I suspect the TQB to be more revealing of this than NACA5. It was in my (then) system.

G

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

I do lile the more analogue nature the TQ has brought though. Regardless of the tissyness in some tracks. 

I use TQB in my study system from a 30 year old ION Obelisk 3 amp to some Neat Iotas. Usual source is a Rega Dac. Gotta say there is no tissyness!

I did originally try various leftovers from the past: QED Silver Anniversary (bright), VDH CS122 (smooth), Linn K20 (awkward). As I only needed 1m lengths I tried the TQB as it's not that big an outlay in the grand scheme of things and knew I could return it. It stayed and is very nice too. Nicely balanced, dynamic with clarity and punch, but not over bright at all.

GraemeH posted:

The Chord 2Qute is slightly sharp sounding in the upper frequencies compared to Hugo & TT ime. 

I suspect the TQB to be more revealing of this than NACA5. It was in my (then) system.

G

I should clarify that I continue to use TQB and rate it very highly with naim amplification and naim speakers (S400).

G

Although I have no immediate knowledge of Chord components I can see nothing wrong in the OP's system so I'm afraid I have to suggest he tries a different pair of speakers.    

Regards,

Lindsay

So on the advice of those above with reference to Sade album being badly mastered (Shame, lovely album) I decided to play some other things on tonight and listen.

System (FYI) iMac (Wavs) 2qute > XS2 > Proac 118.

Playing China Crisis - Flaunt The Imperfection.

This must be a well mastered CD as it sounds fantastic. No signs of tin or tizz. 

Anyway back to the Tellurium Q Black speaker cables specifically. If you are thinking about them, they are indeed fantastic cables (compared to all else I've listened to Epic, Odyssey, Van den Hul, Rumour, Audioquest). I struggle to fault them at this point (60 hours in). 

They are to my ears:

Very, very well balanced. Effortless. 

Easy to listen to in strangely smooth but still snappy, rhythmic way. Plenty of flow. 

The have utterly amazing bass control. Very nicely weighted (Not as weighted as NAC A5 but in my small room NAC A5 bass was unruly). The TQs have solved my whole boomy bass problem completely. To the point I don't need bass traps anymore (nearly wasted money). Tight and tuneful.

Voices feel part of the musical experience but as clear as I could want (beyond this would sound odd/pronounced).

In terms of definition (as well bass control) they are like a system upgrade. Pulling out lots of subtle, fluid, pleasing detail that was either not there with other cables or just mixed up. Highs are detailed, delicate and intricate. Full of character and life.

They knit everything together beautifully. All freqs in harmony.

They have this silky, hypnotic effect that draws you in but keeps your toe tapping.

They have a busy bustle when needed. They sound fast when needed but kick back when required and softly float along.

They sound utterly brilliant at low volumes which is what I mostly listen to. But great scale when turned up.

I am seriously fussy and awkward. I'm no professional, but these are great cables. I can't fault anything about them.

The only thing is... If you've listened to NAC A5 and like the dryness, directness in the sound then you might not like these as much. They have a very slight warming, twinkly edge. Warm side of neutral. 

Of course this is all in context of my system. My TP 12/2 PSU on my Chord calms everything down considerably a month or so back. 

I've just ordered TQ Black RCAs and a USB for trial because I am so impressed with the Blacks. 

Toes tapping, minds floating off. Feel relaxed. If the TQ Black RCA adds more of this natural, more analogue type sound then I will be very happy and forget all about adding caps or changing components.

My speakers are there, but not there for the first time.

Now someone contaxt Sade's recore label and get them to sort that shit out! :-) 

Happy to hear things started to sound good.

If you now switch to Sade's 'Love Deluxe' you will hear an entirely different mastering. I regularly used the first two tracks to fine-tune my systems

Some other well recorded music - pretty much most of the ECM catalogue - I was recently blown away by Manu Katche's album 'Neighbourhood' - both musically and sound wise.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Although I have no immediate knowledge of Chord components I can see nothing wrong in the OP's system so I'm afraid I have to suggest he tries a different pair of speakers.    

Regards,

Lindsay

The Proacs are clean as a whistle, punchy and dynamic. But yet delicate with subtle music. Very good speakers. I listened to loads of different monitors.

Just maybe my matching is a little out.

In other words I'm not ready to accept the Proacs might be too honest and open for me at this stage! 

Adam Zielinski posted:

Happy to hear things started to sound good.

If you now switch to Sade's 'Love Deluxe' you will hear an entirely different mastering. I regularly used the first two tracks to fine-tune my systems

Some other well recorded music - pretty much most of the ECM catalogue - I was recently blown away by Manu Katche's album 'Neighbourhood' - both musically and sound wise.

Many Katche is superb. I'll try Love Deluxe... 

Cheers

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Now someone contaxt Sade's recore label and get them to sort that shit out! :-) 

No Need. Just get yourself the vinyl record and a Rega.

C.

To me Sade - Paradise (Stronger Than Pride album) is a textbook recording. If your system sounds bad with that then you really have a problem.