Tellurium Q Black Nait XS2
Posted by: ThatsNotMyNaim on 23 July 2016
Hi all,
I'm having some TQ Black delivered monday on trial. Just wondered if anyone had any experience of it? Especially versus Chord Rumour / XS2 which currently have.
Hoping it tightens/cleans up the bass without losing rhythm and drive... but also smooths the highs a little.
I loaned: Odyssey, EPIC. NAC A5. Didn't like them.
EPIC was detailed but lazy. Odyssey was tinny and lost all of the bass definition I get with Rumour. Almost lost the bass completely.
Rumour is too thick and heavy in the bass though. Lacks openess and is a bit harsh on vocals.
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).
Atacama Moseco 6 (Plan to replace with Partingtons)
ERIS 5.0
Failing this it's Hi Cap DR time (or other...)
Cheers
Adam
So, to add to the speaker cable, I bought a TQ Black RCA. Got really impatient burning it in... so I bought the snake oil burn-in CD from the TQ website for £17. Very sceptical. Ran the three tracks, just over an hour long altogether.
Oh my dear lord! What a difference.
Everything sounds mega airey, open, taught, clean smooth, alive. Like someone took a brush to the insides of the speakers. Before playing the CD it was a shambles and horrific to listen to. Edgy, cranky. Downright unpleasant.
Snake oil works. Clear as day.
On the note of the TQ cables. Very, very impressive. Particularly detail, openess, balance and bass control.
Very good timing but there is a certain smoothness though that I might have to get used to. Which to me feels, dare I say it, less toe-tappy. Bitter drier than Chord to (less emotion). Chord seem to party and bounce more.
Hmm. Very hard to criticise though.
Maybe I'll try some Odyssey / Epic again with this CD.
After about 30 munites I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting. Brain was going mad. I didn't get that before so I took the TQ Black RCA out and put my Chord Chameleon VEE3 back in. Sounds better. Less fatiguing.
With the TQ Black, as good as it sounded tonally, everything sounded like it was rushing to get finished. Hurried. Really hurried. Couldn't relax. Too much going on.
But putting the Chamelon back in has calmed it all down again. Albeit it not as detailed and defined.
The Chord is sharper though on voices. Can't win. Might try Chord Chorus or Anthem.
It's so tricky this stuff.
ThatsNotMyNaim posted:I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting.
Don't worry that's normal.
C.
Christopher_M posted:ThatsNotMyNaim posted:I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting.
Don't worry that's normal.
C.
In the 'Sting' sense? Or the 'evolution of TQ cables?' Ha
TQ Black RCA - why are you using those? No DIN version?
Good question Adam. I demoed a black Din and ultra black rcas together. To my ears the Din was better. Went for the black diamond in the end 
Finkfan posted:Good question Adam. I demoed a black Din and ultra black rcas together. To my ears the Din was better. Went for the black diamond in the end
With Naim DIN-DIN will / should sound better.
I also went for a Black Diamond DIN for one of my systems - a fantastic interconnect.
Adam Zielinski posted:TQ Black RCA - why are you using those? No DIN version?
I have a Chord 2Qute.
There is no TQ RCA / DIN. Just RCA RCA.
The cables are fantastic and I love the tone but it sounds like it's on fast forward with the RCA Replacing the Chord RCA.
Will a PSU calm things down? It makes me agitated listening at this speed! But the Chord has harshness on sharp voices.
Damn it.
ThatsNotMyNaim posted:Adam Zielinski posted:TQ Black RCA - why are you using those? No DIN version?
I have a Chord 2Qute.
There is no TQ RCA / DIN. Just RCA RCA.
The cables are fantastic and I love the tone but it sounds like it's on fast forward with the RCA Replacing the Chord RCA.
Will a PSU calm things down? It makes me agitated listening at this speed! But the Chord has harshness on sharp voices.
Damn it.
Ok - now I'm lost... 
What are you connecting to what, please?
Sorry, Chord 2Qute (DAC) to Nait XS2. Only RCA out on the Chord.
I'm picking up some CM6s2 tonight for a listen. See what that does to my system.
If not then I'll try replacing the Chord with an Naim DAC.
Failing that, I'm giving up!
ThatsNotMyNaim posted:After about 30 munites I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting. Brain was going mad. I didn't get that before so I took the TQ Black RCA out and put my Chord Chameleon VEE3 back in. Sounds better. Less fatiguing.
With the TQ Black, as good as it sounded tonally, everything sounded like it was rushing to get finished. Hurried. Really hurried. Couldn't relax. Too much going on.
But putting the Chamelon back in has calmed it all down again. Albeit it not as detailed and defined.
The Chord is sharper though on voices. Can't win. Might try Chord Chorus or Anthem.
It's so tricky this stuff.
A bit off topic, but this reminds me once I tested various TQ USB cables.
TQ Black USB (more detail than the standard Chord USB cable)
TQ Silver USB (I could really relax with this cable, less "nervous" than TQ Black USB)
TQ Black Diamond USB (getting much more detail + totally relaxed listening experience)
ThatsNotMyNaim posted:Sorry, Chord 2Qute (DAC) to Nait XS2. Only RCA out on the Chord.
I'm picking up some CM6s2 tonight for a listen. See what that does to my system.
If not then I'll try replacing the Chord with an Naim DAC.
Failing that, I'm giving up!
Yesterday I happened to be talking to a Naim dealer yesterday who used to stock Proac speakers. He aid that although he wasn't familiar with the current range he would not partner the 118s with anything less than a NAP 200 or SN2. Do you demo those speakers with your amp in your room? I'm sure this is not cables - certain.
Straight from a review of the 118 "Bright-sounding kit could easily cause the 118s’ excitable temperament to rub you up the wrong way."
Lindsay
Goodsounds posted:ThatsNotMyNaim posted:After about 30 munites I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting. Brain was going mad. I didn't get that before so I took the TQ Black RCA out and put my Chord Chameleon VEE3 back in. Sounds better. Less fatiguing.
With the TQ Black, as good as it sounded tonally, everything sounded like it was rushing to get finished. Hurried. Really hurried. Couldn't relax. Too much going on.
But putting the Chamelon back in has calmed it all down again. Albeit it not as detailed and defined.
The Chord is sharper though on voices. Can't win. Might try Chord Chorus or Anthem.
It's so tricky this stuff.
A bit off topic, but this reminds me once I tested various TQ USB cables.
TQ Black USB (more detail than the standard Chord USB cable)
TQ Silver USB (I could really relax with this cable, less "nervous" than TQ Black USB)
TQ Black Diamond USB (getting much more detail + totally relaxed listening experience)
Goodsounds would you share which DAC you connected to? I'd like to understand whether you experience those TQ USB cable differences with async/galvanic isolation DAC. I connect Mac Mini to Chord Hugo TT via the USB cable which came with the TT, but considering demoing TQ. Thanks.
The Strat (Fender) posted:ThatsNotMyNaim posted:Sorry, Chord 2Qute (DAC) to Nait XS2. Only RCA out on the Chord.
I'm picking up some CM6s2 tonight for a listen. See what that does to my system.
If not then I'll try replacing the Chord with an Naim DAC.
Failing that, I'm giving up!
Yesterday I happened to be talking to a Naim dealer yesterday who used to stock Proac speakers. He aid that although he wasn't familiar with the current range he would not partner the 118s with anything less than a NAP 200 or SN2. Do you demo those speakers with your amp in your room? I'm sure this is not cables - certain.
Straight from a review of the 118 "Bright-sounding kit could easily cause the 118s’ excitable temperament to rub you up the wrong way."
Lindsay
I think that's the crux of it. I don't think I've matched well. I spent a lot of time auditioning at dealers. But not at home.
I never thought that the Chord DAC or the XS2 could be / were considered bright.
But maybe they are (or one of them at least) bright enough to "rub me up the wrong way".
I listened to the Proacs with Musical Fidelity M5si at first and that was enjoyable. With VDH and Black Rhodium cables. It lacked a little drive but lovely sound.
Maybe I'll try the SN2. Cant afford it at the moment but id prefer to know what to aim for.
The NaitXS is not bright. Your source might be... Speaker/amp matching is however, key.
I don't think the XS but the source could be an issue. But I repeat there are bigger issues at play here than cables. Can you try some Neat or Kudos speakers?
The Strat (Fender) posted:ThatsNotMyNaim posted:Sorry, Chord 2Qute (DAC) to Nait XS2. Only RCA out on the Chord.
I'm picking up some CM6s2 tonight for a listen. See what that does to my system.
If not then I'll try replacing the Chord with an Naim DAC.
Failing that, I'm giving up!
Yesterday I happened to be talking to a Naim dealer yesterday who used to stock Proac speakers. He aid that although he wasn't familiar with the current range he would not partner the 118s with anything less than a NAP 200 or SN2. Do you demo those speakers with your amp in your room? I'm sure this is not cables - certain.
Straight from a review of the 118 "Bright-sounding kit could easily cause the 118s’ excitable temperament to rub you up the wrong way."
Lindsay
The 118s must be radically different than the 115s. My 115s on the end of an XS 2 are anything but bright. And while Proacs do like a fair amount of juice I don't think a supposedly high current amp like the XS 2 would be too anemic to get them to sing at moderate volumes in a small to medium size room.
Maybe the dealer hasn't sold Proac for a while and is basing his comments on older models or maybe he has an agenda.
From Proac website:
''The 118 is excellent on all types of music and more efficient than previous models, which make it suitable for lower powered valve and transistor amplifiers.''
it could be a room issue - more likely - perhaps. But changing wires doesn't seem to be resolving the problems.
AndyL posted:Goodsounds posted:ThatsNotMyNaim posted:After about 30 munites I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting. Brain was going mad. I didn't get that before so I took the TQ Black RCA out and put my Chord Chameleon VEE3 back in. Sounds better. Less fatiguing.
With the TQ Black, as good as it sounded tonally, everything sounded like it was rushing to get finished. Hurried. Really hurried. Couldn't relax. Too much going on.
But putting the Chamelon back in has calmed it all down again. Albeit it not as detailed and defined.
The Chord is sharper though on voices. Can't win. Might try Chord Chorus or Anthem.
It's so tricky this stuff.
A bit off topic, but this reminds me once I tested various TQ USB cables.
TQ Black USB (more detail than the standard Chord USB cable)
TQ Silver USB (I could really relax with this cable, less "nervous" than TQ Black USB)
TQ Black Diamond USB (getting much more detail + totally relaxed listening experience)Goodsounds would you share which DAC you connected to? I'd like to understand whether you experience those TQ USB cable differences with async/galvanic isolation DAC. I connect Mac Mini to Chord Hugo TT via the USB cable which came with the TT, but considering demoing TQ. Thanks.
I have Mac Mini to Hugo TT setup (into SN2). I got a previously used cable (TQ Black USB) and complete new ones (TQ Silver USB / TQ Black Diamond) for testing and did use the TQ burn-in CD. The Black Diamond is now on order...
Goodsounds posted:AndyL posted:Goodsounds posted:ThatsNotMyNaim posted:After about 30 munites I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting. Brain was going mad. I didn't get that before so I took the TQ Black RCA out and put my Chord Chameleon VEE3 back in. Sounds better. Less fatiguing.
With the TQ Black, as good as it sounded tonally, everything sounded like it was rushing to get finished. Hurried. Really hurried. Couldn't relax. Too much going on.
But putting the Chamelon back in has calmed it all down again. Albeit it not as detailed and defined.
The Chord is sharper though on voices. Can't win. Might try Chord Chorus or Anthem.
It's so tricky this stuff.
A bit off topic, but this reminds me once I tested various TQ USB cables.
TQ Black USB (more detail than the standard Chord USB cable)
TQ Silver USB (I could really relax with this cable, less "nervous" than TQ Black USB)
TQ Black Diamond USB (getting much more detail + totally relaxed listening experience)Goodsounds would you share which DAC you connected to? I'd like to understand whether you experience those TQ USB cable differences with async/galvanic isolation DAC. I connect Mac Mini to Chord Hugo TT via the USB cable which came with the TT, but considering demoing TQ. Thanks.
I have Mac Mini to Hugo TT setup (into SN2). I got a previously used cable (TQ Black USB) and complete new ones (TQ Silver USB / TQ Black Diamond) for testing and did use the TQ burn-in CD. The Black Diamond is now on order...
What speakers are you using?
ThatsNotMyNaim posted:Goodsounds posted:AndyL posted:Goodsounds posted:ThatsNotMyNaim posted:After about 30 munites I noticed I started to get a bit brain foggy listening to Sting. Brain was going mad. I didn't get that before so I took the TQ Black RCA out and put my Chord Chameleon VEE3 back in. Sounds better. Less fatiguing.
With the TQ Black, as good as it sounded tonally, everything sounded like it was rushing to get finished. Hurried. Really hurried. Couldn't relax. Too much going on.
But putting the Chamelon back in has calmed it all down again. Albeit it not as detailed and defined.
The Chord is sharper though on voices. Can't win. Might try Chord Chorus or Anthem.
It's so tricky this stuff.
A bit off topic, but this reminds me once I tested various TQ USB cables.
TQ Black USB (more detail than the standard Chord USB cable)
TQ Silver USB (I could really relax with this cable, less "nervous" than TQ Black USB)
TQ Black Diamond USB (getting much more detail + totally relaxed listening experience)Goodsounds would you share which DAC you connected to? I'd like to understand whether you experience those TQ USB cable differences with async/galvanic isolation DAC. I connect Mac Mini to Chord Hugo TT via the USB cable which came with the TT, but considering demoing TQ. Thanks.
I have Mac Mini to Hugo TT setup (into SN2). I got a previously used cable (TQ Black USB) and complete new ones (TQ Silver USB / TQ Black Diamond) for testing and did use the TQ burn-in CD. The Black Diamond is now on order...
What speakers are you using?
Kudos Super 20
I'll say it again - The 2Qute is the core of the problem...ime.
Replace it with a Hugo and normal service will be resumed - regardless of cable preferences.
G
GraemeH posted:I'll say it again - The 2Qute is the core of the problem...ime.
Replace it with a Hugo and normal service will be resumed - regardless of cable preferences.
G
I'm listening. I'll work through some tests starting with DAC.
People said it sounded analogue, so I'm surprised it's harsh. Don't believe all that you read. I did audition too. But with basement cables so it was all.masked.
I know the dealer tricks now! Ha
I'm starting to get reading fatigue, foggy Sting brain, harsh and tinny eyeballs and am starting to feel like a badly matched pair of Proac 188's 'rubbed up the wrong way' all from reading this thread perhaps some prescription medication washed down with copius amounts of scotch might even it all out a bit!
Thanks, oh wise one. Appreciate your help.
Adam