What makes for a difference in a power cable performance could be pinned down to many things and the first among them is the energy transfer. One basic analogy could be with the transfer of the water. Imagine the enormous power of water being transferred through a very narrow pipeline. You can squeeze only as much as the diameter of it allows. Unfortunately, with electricity there are also many other, very important attributes at play but basically, we’re dealing with the energy transfer. Then comes the problem of RF pollution and many more issues.
THE PATH
For the past few years Tellurium Q has established themselves with the continuing presence on the market with many superb and highly innovative cables. What was discovered here at Mono & Stereo, was confirmed later by many other magazines and audiophiles. The Tellurium Q approach ensured sound quality levels that in some cases (their Silver Diamond range) represent the pinnacle of the current cabling designs. Tellurium Q follows their strict but confidential design rules that proved to be more than effective. Preserving the relative phase relationships in a signal is their mantra and based on their products, one can only conclude their path is wise.
Tellurium Q managed to encapsulate a recognizable DNA across all of their cable range. It`s never easy to keep consistency with wide range of products and especially with cables things can get too quickly out of hand. Pat Metheny once commented how the biggest compliment for him was how people recognized his playing in whatever genre. Similarly, getting to the level of having a sonically recognizable range of cable products, is surely a sign of something special, worthy of highlighting.
Some of their cables like the Black Diamond and the Silver Diamond range, have proved to be really groundbreaking products possessing astonishing sound quality capabilities.
POWER TO THE MUSIC
Power cable and music? Power to the music - as the paragraph title is suggesting?
There is a clear correlation between the power and the way music is being reproduced. There are plenty of attributes connected with the pure power, but without even the cheapest power cord -nothing will ever happen :).
There are a lot of analogies connected with the distribution of power. Within high-end audio, things are a bit more complex as we’re dealing with both, subjective and objective merits. Can the sound quality be measured? This is the frequently asked question even within our so called, highly elevated circles. Still… after well over two decades, I’m witnessing a slow but steady change of mentality regarding the cables and their role in the high-end audio system.
Even some of the most stubborn and hard minded audiophiles are joining in and are discovering the benefits of proper cabling distribution across the system.
THE SOUND
The Ultra Silver Power Cable is described by Tellurium Q as:
`Even cleaner, more focused and more agile sound than the award winning Black power cable with more precise bass definition and top end. Equipment sounds like there is more headroom and energy in the music.
New cable architecture including enhanced double layered screening have allowed a leap forward in performance.`
There isn`t any more info available at the Tellurium Q website but knowing their dedication to preserve relative phase relationships in a signal – in all of their cables, I knew the results would not disappoint me.
Upon inserting the Tellurium Q Ultra Silver power cable into the system (the source – DAC), it made immediately obvious of itself – in a positive way. Reviewed with the Tellurium Q Silver Diamond RCA cable (upcoming review) the Tellurium Q Ultra Silver power cable showed a myriad of strong attributes and a great overall potency.
After the burn-in phase it begun to show its strengths in many areas. A bit closed-in sounding before break-in but completely relaxed, open and transparent after the initial phase, It certainly brought a greater sense of unimpeded energy flow than some other power cables from the batch. Building on a strong and firm bass fundament, the lower midrange was seamlessly integrated into this picture, possessing weight, power, control and natural harmonic structure (tonal colors). The vocal range was free of any overly exposed sibilants but still very open and clear. The treble region was exceptionally smooth, transparent and resolute.
In comparison to the LessLoss DFPC Reference which I always keep for cross checking, the Ultra Silver produced a tad smaller soundstage and just a bit less hefty overall impression but the difference wasn`t big.
The Ultra Silver power cable proved to provide a rock solid rhythm capabilities (PRAT) and always kept me involved in the listening process, maintaining a healthy dose of emotional charge in the music material and these are the things I cannot live without anymore.
I went through my usual music repertoire, the songs and various compositions that I know and love and even though I have listened to them countless times, the Ultra Silver kept my attention firmly focused. This is very dependent on the quality of components and cables are no exception. Either I get drawn into the music or not. It may sound as a simple trick but I guess it`s anything but simple – from the manufacturer`s point of view. How to combine all the technical requirements along with subjective demands, in one organic fashion, is a mystery to me. However, some audio designers just seem to get these things right and some...they just don`t. Tellurium Q certainly joins the former, that I can assure you. If audio components are designed purely on the technical basis, which of course is also needed, then the outcome may not always point in the right direction. Audio, in my view, is as much of a science as is an art and it should be considered that way because it is meant to convey the musical message which may well be the ultimate art of expression. To reduce the music reproduction to mere counting (and measuring) of waveforms, would be abuse to say the least. If the medium (our systems) cannot or have no intention (in the eyes of their creators) to convey the message and emotional content (which are inseparable), reducing itself only to mere mechanical sound generators, then its very purpose has been lost – there is no other way to put it.
Fortunately, the Tellurium Q Ultra Silver power cable shows musical, organic strengths of a very high order and is contributing strongly to the overall healthy musical presentation. Some powercords show strengths either on one or the other part of the sonic spectrum but the Ultra Silver always gave a balanced set of attributes, allways serving the music first and foremost.
CONCLUSION
Power cables might come as the easiest indicators of the performance shift. On to many occasions I’ve demonstrated the instant shift in performance when a potent power cable was inserted into the dedicated component.
The same philosophy goes also for the wall to power distributor/ladder. There are many discussions regarding where and specifically how power cable can affect the performance depending on its given length that is usually from 1 to 5 meters. I won’t dive into the lengths of the endless debate, but would suggest to simply try out and hear/experience the difference by yourself.
If you find the difference is to subtle due to the system in play or even mileage of listener, or non the less the lacking of potency in power cable itself, then simply move on.
But, if you do find the boost in the performance convincing, then do go out and explore the world of power cables. I’m sure most have heard about the importance of power supplies across all the high-end audio electronics. I would say (to bold for many) that the same logic applies to the power cables. Properly component/system matched power cable becomes an essential part of the system.
The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver power cable represents a great step into the world of power cables. It offers a very detailed insight into the music, revealing layers of musical information although perhaps not in such a formidable and strikingly exceptional way as the Tellurium Q Black Diamond or Silver Diamond speaker cables and interconnects do.
This level of performance comes with a price sticker which, based on the sound quality level seems quite appropriate.
The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver power cable never lacked any of the essential attributes, either used at the source, from the wall outlet to the power distributor (or power ladder), or being the power link to preamplifier and power amplifier.
One of the most important features of any high-end audio power cable is the so called current flow. While there are a lots of power cables on the market performing with some peaks in the certain areas, the biggest and most common problem associated with them is the masking of micro details. Sadly, most of the power cables act as some sort of passive filter devices that suck out the life and energy which directly translates to the system and consequently to the music reproduction. Artificial politeness is to often taken for granted and as a standard, instead of the healthy, energetic flow that can (and should) maintain the proper structure of micro and macro dynamic abilities.
The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver power cable comes forward as an unmasked performer with a healthy dosage of all the needed attributes, that ensure the proper flow of the energy.
Geoff Merrigan surely knows how to push things into the right direction and keeping the focus where it is needed. Tellurium Q is on the intriguing path of discoveries that resulted in array of cable products that are pushing the art further. The Ultra Silver cable is certainly a great alternative among power cable offerings and is warmly recommended. How it will interact in various systems is difficult to predict but this power cord is certainly worth trying, it is an excellent performer.
PRICE
£1680
OPTIONS
Available with either Shuko (EU), US, AUS or UK power connectors.
CONTACT
The Willows
Bonds Pool
Langport
Somerset
TA10 9QJ
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1458 251 997
Email: admin@telluriumq.com
Web: www.telluriumq.com