Black is back - Tellurium Q Black II first impressions

[bronzeage]

Way back when Tellurium Q Black first came out, it caused quite a stir - it was something quite different, but resulted in polarized opinions.
I certainly enjoyed it, but ultimately preferred the (admittedly very expensive) Atlas Ascent, as I found it more transparent.

I feel like I have come full circle, in that I have ditched the Rega Elicit-R amplifier, and gone back to my cheap Marantz MCR-510 all-in-one - my room could not cope with the sheer power of the Rega, and I found vocals to be much clearer with the Marantz, with a tighter control of the bass. An oddity, but there you go.

Anyway, I sold the TQ Black a good while back, and have been using Van Damme Hi-Fi 4mm, and the somewhat softer presentation really suited the Marantz.

My curiosity was peaked however, when I saw the announcement of TQ Black II. I recalled the synergy between the Black and the Marantz, so I thought I would give it a shot.

First impressions are very positive - a clear step up from the Van Damme. Everything has somehow become more detailed, and yet more relaxed at the same time. There is a tangibility to instruments, that was simply not there before. Vocals have become crystal clear, but sibilance is reduced. The somewhat veiled textures of the old TQ Black have gone - drums really sound like drums, you can hear the 'skin'.
Bass is in balance, certainly not weak, nor overly plump. The strike of a cymbal has 'metal', but with natural clarity that does not annoy.

I feel kind of bad in a way, as I was holding out for Colin Wonfor's new cables, I suspect this is still based on his designs.

No idea if this will alter over time - I'm perfectly happy with the sound as it is to be honest. I will update if anything significant changes.

In summary - this cable works great with my amp, it simply makes music and sound much more enjoyable. Worth an audition if you are in the market at that price range, it might be good for you, it might not.

[Colin Wonfor]

The New EWA cable is now on sale, and a review is due in the next few days. Some have been review already by Hi-fi Answers.
To find out more go to the web site and ask about prices etc. The web page is still not complete but I am sure Alan will do it soon.

https://www.elsdonwonforaudio.com/cables

https://www.elsdonwonforaudio.com/contact

[bronzeage]

Thanks Colin - my wife is so enamored with the 'new sound', as she puts it, she wants the same for the other rig, so I will check out the details. What is the rough equivalent of TQ Black out of your two cables?

[Colin Wonfor]

I am sorry but I am biased they are all better than TQ Black and UB, but I guess since I designed both I suspect I am biased a lots, so ask one of our dealers.

[bronzeage]

Thanks, I filled in the request form, so lets see how it goes.

[bronzeage]

Thanks, I filled in the request form, so lets see how it goes.

I got an automated reply, but nothing since - guess this operation is not quite ready for business yet.

Back on the TQ Black II front - it went a bit weird after a couple of days, I guess I can only describe it as over detailed, but has settled down since, maybe my hearing was off that day. It sounds great right now, going back to the Van Damme, music sounds 'synthetic', if that makes any sense. Drums sound just so.. right.

[Colin Wonfor]

Mark Grant is taking orders now.

https://markgrant.co.uk/

[bronzeage]

Mark Grant is taking orders now.

https://markgrant.co.uk/

Thanks Colin - using Mark seems like an excellent idea, never had any issues doing business with him, his construction skills are first rate.

I'm going to order some LS-V some time soon, the outcome will be more than interesting.

[Sovereign]

You may find TQ cables have been superseded by Colin's new design.

[wee tee cee]

Great tie up.

Have used Marks ICs/co-ax/opticals and power cables for years.

Worked my way through Marks and Colins cable hierarchy over years and put my money where my mouth is.

Lucky enough to have one of Colins amps at the heart of my system- have looked back but always returned-best by some margin audio products Ive tried.

Both proper HI FI people-enjoy your music!!!!

[bronzeage]

Well, I have placed my order for LS-V. The review that just came out today has me slightly worried, but the Marantz all-in-one I am using is on the smooth side, so hopefully there will be some synergy that is better than TQ Black II.

[eisenach]

Well, I have placed my order for LS-V. The review that just came out today has me slightly worried, but [...].

Where did you read the review ?

Ah, was this it ?
http://theaudiophileman.com/elsdon-wonfor/

[bronzeage]

Where did you read the review ?

Ah, was this it ?
http://theaudiophileman.com/elsdon-wonfor/

Yes, that's the one. I'm not really that worried, as there is a 30 day return policy, so if it not a good match with one or the other setups, it will have to go back.

[bronzeage]

OK, so I had the LS-V for several weeks. My initial thoughts were that it reminded me quite a lot of he original TQ black, but not as 'thick' sounding.
Physically, the cable has a lot going for it, it is very slim and easy to route, nice plain black cable that does not draw attention to itself. The termination is very solid, you get the feeling it can take a lot of strain without any danger of coming loose, and the banana plugs are of very good quality, easy to fit, but make a good firm connection.

I found that with my stand-mount speakers, in comparison with the TQ Black II, the sound was just a tad less dynamic and holographic. Bass was good with both, nothing to complain about, midrange, I would say the TQ has slightly warmer touch, a feeling of more weight. They both have a 'natural' sound, nothing overblown or spotlit, I just found that cymbals had a bit more sparkle and metal (not brightness) with the TQ. Detail retreival, aside from image depth, was comparable, meaning it was very good.

With the floorstanders, I found the balance to be better suited - the natural extra oomph and warmth of those speaker matching well with the lighter tone, no boom-boom. I have the feeling it would have matched really well with my dearly departed Rega Ellicit, that simply overpowered the smaller room.

In the end, my wife was happy enough with Van Damme, so I could not justify keeping the LS-V for myself. I think for systems that might need some brightness taming, they would be a good match, certainly worth a try, and their discrete profile is a bonus.

Service from Mark Grant was absolutely top-class - no fuss made about the return, as I had given them a decent workout. I am interested in trying out the LS-XXV at some point, for now I have used some of the money to try out a Marantz PM7200 - still searching for that perfect match ...

[Colin Wonfor]

Thank you for you comments.
Mark is great for us to work with also a real Gent.

[Dynamics]

I'm not surprised that the telleriums sounded better Marcus. My perception is that the cables in the van damme range are just bog standard basic designed speaker wire that has been going for ages, and it's cheap to produce and doesn't have much 'design' in it. I doubt they spend much time improving it too. But from companies like chord and tellerium they are trying to get something better.

I reckon chord epic twin will be better than van damme sound wise, and i think about same price as the tellerium black 2

Is Colin's cable on the website similar to tellerium, it looks similar, and how is it designed? Out of interest.

[Colin Wonfor]

It may look similar but it is not the material are much more interesting and No Comment on build why should I tell you or another company how it is made, no thanks. Already had designs stolen by hook or by crock so not again.

[bronzeage]

The LS-V is nicer looking, in my opinion - it has was you would call a straightforward piece of cable profile, rounded, and it's very slim.
The TQ has that ribbon-like, sort of flat, profile, so it is wider.

Neither sound like Van Damme, which is fine enough, but does not have the midrange or texture (most noticeable with drums) of those cables, at least to these ears.
Of course there is a big price difference, so only the buyer can say if that is worth it to them - for me, yes.