The Article

DIN TO PHONO RCA STATEMENT CABLE

29th April 2019

Tellurium Q has added to its Statement range, Paul Rigby reviews the DIN-to-Phono turntable cable

When I recently reviewed the Tellurium Q range of Statement cables, this particular model was a little late in arriving – at least for that particular round up.

It’s here now, though, so I thought that I’d take a look at it in isolation. That said, for further technical background, I would encourage you to look at my original Statement cables review HERE. Hence the reason that this part of the review is relatively brief. Also, the cable should be seen as sharing the same rating. I’ve re-printed that below for your own reference.

The build quality and finish is the same for this cable as the other Statement cables while the technology follows the same themes. In specific terms, you will note that the actual DIN termination plug does not feature the almost traditional right-angled shape that tends to be featured on many (although not all, of course) similar DIN designs. This might be a good or bad thing for your hi-fi kit. It is something to bear in mind before any possible purchase.

SOUND QUALITY

Playing a duet by Bing Crosby and Mitzy Gaynor, You’re the Top, the first impression was the apparent ease in how the music flowed from the speakers. The reason for this smooth sense of ease was partly down to the tonal balance exhibited across the entire soundstage. That is, from the cymbal taps to the upright bass and from the string section to the brass section the soundstage sat right, sounded right and played right. This lack of edge and the absence of any sonic bumps in the road made for a relaxing test period.

To dwell on that point for a moment, I’ve heard some pieces of music where I just know that the trumpet solo crescendo about four minutes in, for example, is going to make me wince and hurt my ears. I’m immediately tense because I’m waiting for it. Even small, tiny errors can affect your listening experience. Hence, the more micro-winces, if I can quickly invent the term, that I experience throughout a piece of music, the greater the tension I feel.

That’s what the Statement cable helps to alleviate. It removes the stress.

More than stress relief, this cable is informative. I mentioned cymbal taps. Here, such taps are not just sharp sounds but they have a body and a presence. There’s a beginning, a middle and an end to such sounds which is enhanced with a super midrange clarity. When the same cymbal is hit slightly harder, you can then hear a slight increase in the reverb emanating from the same.

That’s all well and good during a drum solo, for example, but when when all of this is occurring right at the back of the soundstage, behind the duet vocals, the bass and most of the orchestra and that detail is easily tracked by the ear, you know you’re listening to something a bit special. Hence, the instrumental separation and air and space is important to allow that to happen.

On a more high energy track like The Kinks’ The Village Green Preservation Society, the overall balance within the mix was notable. Bass presence was too. Big, massy, hefty and strong, the music was given added impetus by the strengthening of the lower frequencies while the focus in this section meant that delicate and subtle effects such as the string reverb from the rhythm guitar, remained intact.

Similarly, on the track Do You Remember Walter?, I was impressed by the piano which was strong but also offered a real physical presence. The wooden resonance of the chassis was a big part of the track, giving the music a certain grandeur.

CONCLUSION

This DIN-to-phono cable retains all that is good about the original Statement cables that I recently reviewed elsewhere but, because it is so much closer to the source, it arguably makes a greater difference. It not only reduces noise and enhances dynamic reach but it sets new standards in music presentation because if restructures and enhances the soundstage. In effect, music makes more sense.

TELLURIUM Q DIN-TO-PHONO STATEMENT CABLE

Price: £3,600

Tel: 01458 251997

Website: www.telluriumq.com

GOOD: midrange maturity, balanced and neutral presentation, bass presence, tonal realism, soundstage structure

BAD: nothing

RATING: 10

[Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Group, The Audiophile Man: Hi-Fi & Music here: www.facebook.com/groups/theaudiophileman for exclusive postings, exclusive editorial and more!]

REFERENCE

Origin Live Sovereign turntable

Origin Live Enterprise 12″ arm

Avid Acutus Reference turntable

SME IV tonearm

Van Den Hul Crimson XGW Stradivarius Cartridge

Soundsmith Paua Mk.II cartridge

Leema Elements CD Player

Benchmark DAC2 HGC

Icon PS3 phono amplifier

Aesthetix Calypso pre-amp

Icon Audio MB845 Mk.II monoblock amplifiers