Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR

Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR Balanced Interconnect Cable

The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR is an exceptional balanced analogue interconnect, designed to deliver outstanding transparency, natural tonal balance and remarkable musical detail.

Developed in the United Kingdom, this high-performance XLR cable belongs to Tellurium Q’s acclaimed Silver Family and represents a major evolution of the original Ultra Silver generation.

Its exceptionally open and detailed presentation challenges the common assumption that Silver Family cables must sound bright or fatiguing. Instead, the Ultra Silver II combines high resolution with smoothness, precision and effortless musical flow.

A Hidden Gem in the Silver Family

The Ultra Silver II XLR occupies an important position within the Tellurium Q performance hierarchy, offering a substantial step forward from the award-winning Ultra Black II.

According to Tellurium Q, the Ultra Silver range is one of its most overlooked achievements, largely because listeners sometimes associate silver with an excessively analytical or bright sound.

The reality is a beautifully detailed, smooth and natural presentation that reveals musical information without sacrificing tonal coherence.

Designed for demanding high-end audio systems, the Ultra Silver II provides a compelling combination of transparency, dynamics and musical engagement.

Engineered to Minimise Phase Distortion

Tellurium Q develops its cables with particular attention to phase behaviour, signal timing and the interaction between electrical and mechanical properties.

Rather than concentrating on a single construction parameter, the company considers conductor materials, cable geometry, dielectric characteristics, damping, inductance, capacitance and resistance as part of the overall design.

The aim is to minimise unwanted time-smear and colouration that can obscure subtle information contained within the original recording.

This approach is central to the Tellurium Q philosophy: allowing the connected audio components to communicate the performance as naturally and accurately as possible.

Exceptional Transparency Without Harshness

Greater Clarity, Natural Tonal Balance

The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR is designed for listeners who demand exceptional resolution without compromising the natural character of their recordings.

Fine instrumental textures, subtle vocal expression and low-level acoustic information become easier to follow within a suitably revealing system.

The high frequencies are extended and detailed without an intentionally aggressive character.

Midrange reproduction remains expressive and coherent, while bass instruments benefit from greater definition and control.

The emphasis is on revealing the performance rather than drawing attention to any particular part of the frequency spectrum.

Sound Quality and Musical Performance

Outstanding Resolution and Instrument Separation

The Ultra Silver II XLR is particularly effective at communicating complex musical information.

Individual instruments can remain clearly identifiable within dense arrangements, while maintaining their natural relationship to the overall performance.

This ability to preserve separation without artificially isolating performers contributes to a more convincing musical presentation.

Bass Focus and Dynamic Precision

One of the qualities highlighted in independent listening tests is the improvement in bass definition and focus compared with the original Ultra Silver generation.

Low-frequency instruments benefit from greater clarity, allowing pitch, texture and rhythmic information to remain more clearly distinguishable.

Dynamic contrasts are communicated with precision, giving complex passages a stronger sense of organisation and musical momentum.

Natural Midrange and Vocal Reproduction

Vocals should retain their natural character, body and emotional expression rather than being pushed unnaturally forward.

The Ultra Silver II is designed to preserve delicate variations in tone, phrasing and harmonic detail.

Acoustic instruments benefit from the same natural presentation, helping the listener follow subtle changes in technique and performance.

Soundstage Depth and Three-Dimensional Imaging

The Ultra Silver II XLR is designed to communicate spatial information, recorded ambience and image focus with a high degree of precision.

In a capable high-end system, subtle acoustic reflections can contribute to a stronger impression of depth and instrumental positioning.

The objective is a clearly organised soundstage without making the presentation artificially analytical.

Balanced XLR Signal Transmission

The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR is designed for components equipped with compatible balanced analogue XLR connections.

Balanced signal transmission can provide effective rejection of common-mode interference when correctly implemented by the connected electronics.

This can be particularly beneficial for high-end systems with separate preamplifiers and power amplifiers or installations involving longer signal runs.

However, the ultimate performance also depends on the quality of the balanced input and output stages within the connected equipment.

Recommended Applications

• Reference DAC to balanced preamplifier
• DAC to balanced integrated amplifier
• High-end CD player to preamplifier
• Network player with XLR outputs to amplifier
• Balanced preamplifier to stereo power amplifier
• Balanced preamplifier to monoblock amplifiers
• Phono stage with balanced line outputs to preamplifier

Ultra Silver II vs Original Ultra Silver XLR

The introduction of the Ultra Silver II represents a substantial development over the original Ultra Silver balanced interconnect.

Paul Rigby of The Audiophile Man compared the two generations directly during his May 2024 review.

The second-generation XLR cables delivered improved bass focus, clearer instrument separation and more controlled reverberation.

Complex musical passages became easier to follow, with individual instruments occupying more clearly defined positions within the overall presentation.

The review concluded that the new cables represented an improvement significantly greater than their second-generation designation might suggest.

Independent Review and Award

Awarded and Recommended by…

Paul Rigby – The Audiophile Man

Review published: 2 May 2024

“Blimey, the balanced cables are good.”

Paul Rigby reviewed the Ultra Silver II range, including the balanced XLR interconnects, comparing the new generation with its predecessor.

Using a Benchmark DAC and demanding musical recordings, he reported improvements in bass precision, clarity, instrumental separation and the organisation of complex musical passages.

The Ultra Silver II XLR demonstrated a particularly strong ability to distinguish individual instruments within dense arrangements.

These improvements made a powerful impression on the reviewer, who considered the new generation a considerably greater advance than a conventional model revision.

Read the full Ultra Silver II review at The Audiophile Man.

Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR Specifications

• Manufacturer: Tellurium Q
• Model: Ultra Silver II XLR
• Official product code: US-XLR
• Product type: Balanced analogue interconnect
• Family: Silver Family
• Connections: Three-pin XLR
• Configuration: Stereo cable set
• Application: Balanced line-level audio connections
• Signal direction: Follow the cable’s directional marking
• Available lengths: Contact Chameleon Audio

Directional Installation

For optimum performance, Tellurium Q recommends installing the cable in the direction indicated by the arrow near the centre of the cable.

The arrow should point from the source component toward the receiving amplifier or preamplifier.

For example, in a DAC-to-preamplifier connection, the arrow should follow the analogue signal direction from the DAC output to the preamplifier input.

Ultra Silver II XLR vs Ultra Black II XLR

The Ultra Black II belongs to the Tellurium Q Black Family, designed around smoothness, fine detail and natural musical coherence.

The Ultra Silver II moves further toward transparency, openness and low-level resolution.

Although the manufacturer positions Ultra Silver II above Ultra Black II, the ideal choice also depends on system matching and listening preferences.

Explore the Tellurium Q Ultra Black II XLR at Chameleon Audio.

Ultra Silver II XLR vs Silver Diamond XLR

Silver Diamond occupies a higher position within the Tellurium Q Silver Family.

It is intended for systems demanding even greater transparency, resolution and refinement.

The Ultra Silver II remains a compelling choice for customers seeking exceptional clarity and musicality without moving to the Silver Diamond investment level.

Ultra Silver II XLR vs Ultra Silver II RCA

The Ultra Silver II range includes both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA interconnects.

Both share the fundamental Silver Family philosophy of transparency, openness and natural musical reproduction.

The appropriate connection depends on the architecture of the equipment.

For components with compatible balanced inputs and outputs, the XLR version offers the technical advantages associated with balanced transmission.

For single-ended analogue connections, explore the Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II RCA Interconnect.

Matching Tellurium Q Cables

For a consistent approach to system building, the Ultra Silver II XLR can be combined with other appropriately selected Tellurium Q cables.

The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II USB Cable provides a digital connection option for compatible equipment.

For coaxial digital audio connections, explore the Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II Waveform hf Digital Cable.

For compatible loudspeakers with multiple binding posts, consider the Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II Jumper Links.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR?

It is a premium balanced analogue interconnect from the Tellurium Q Silver Family, designed for high-end audio equipment equipped with compatible XLR connections.

What is its official product code?

The manufacturer’s official product code is US-XLR.

Does Ultra Silver II XLR sound bright?

Tellurium Q describes the Ultra Silver II as a beautifully detailed, smooth and natural cable, without an unnecessarily harsh or fatiguing presentation.

Is it better than the original Ultra Silver?

In his independent comparison, Paul Rigby identified substantial improvements in focus, bass precision and instrumental separation with the second-generation balanced cables.

Can it be used with tube amplifiers?

Yes, provided the equipment supports compatible balanced analogue XLR connections.

Is balanced XLR always superior to RCA?

Not necessarily. Balanced interfaces can provide advantages in noise rejection, but final performance depends on the design of the connected equipment and the overall system.

Does the cable have a specific signal direction?

Yes. Tellurium Q recommends following the directional arrow printed near the centre of the cable.

Can I mix Tellurium Q cable families?

Yes. Although using matching cable families can be a useful starting point, different Tellurium Q families can also be successfully combined according to the requirements of the complete system.

Tellurium Q Cable Families

Blue Family

Warm and forgiving for systems with a slight edge or for listeners who prefer a smoother, more relaxed presentation.

Blue and Ultra Blue are also particularly suitable for AV and home cinema systems.

Black Family

Smooth, finely detailed and highly resolving while reducing apparent harshness.

Music is presented as a coherent, organic whole with natural tonal balance and convincing musical realism.

Silver Family

Designed to provide an exceptionally open and uncoloured signal path, with outstanding transparency, dynamic freedom, resolution and natural tonal colours.

Its extended high-frequency reproduction and detailed bass are combined with a coherent and musically involving presentation.

Why Choose Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR?

The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR Balanced Interconnect Cable combines exceptional transparency, detailed yet natural tonal reproduction, precise instrument separation and a highly organised musical presentation.

Its refined balance of resolution and smoothness makes it a compelling option for revealing high-end audio systems.

For owners of the original Ultra Silver XLR, the second-generation model also offers a meaningful upgrade to consider.

Official Manufacturer Information

For further product information, manufacturer commentary and independent reviews, visit the official Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR product page.

Availability and International Orders

The Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II XLR is available from Chameleon Audio.

Please contact us for current stock, available lengths, international shipping and personalised advice on high-end audio system matching.