Mr Murthys "TnT" Cables

[Nikhil]

I got my speaker cables from Mr Murthy of Tools & Trades, Bangalore a few days ago. I had put up some info on my visit to his place on another post in the General Lounge. To make a long story short I am just shocked at the transformation that has taken place in my system.

I have never been able to get words to describe audio but let me try:

First off there's a definite bump up* in sound level but that's only the start. The sound has "opened up". My earlier sound was in comparison clogged up and now my speakers are breathing easy. I am guessing there is much less load on my amp. I am getting detail and dynamics I never thought possible with my system. Background vocals and instruments have much more separation and clarity.

Its been about two days and I guess my ears are getting used to the new sound. Still I occasionally get that feeling that hey this is something I didn't hear earlier! If anything that is an indication of the magic that these cables have done for my system.

I have named these cables "TnT" because they are DYNAMITE!

* Edited as per FM sbg comment

 

[sbg]

First off there's at least a 8dB increase in sound level

8dB because of cable change!

Raw Drivers manufactures kill each other boasting the efficiency levels even if it is a margin of +3db.

I'm wondering what the earlier cable was,
was it with some resistor included to attenuate the sound level?
made of metal other than copper, aluminum, gold , silver ....

I'm putting this way, as, Im sure the "TnT" does not act like an amplifier to ... 8dB.

just my thoughts, seriously.

 

[Nikhil]

8dB because of cable change!

Raw Drivers manufactures kill each other boasting the efficiency levels even if it is a margin of +3db.

I'm wondering what the earlier cable was,
was it with some resistor included to attenuate the sound level?
made of metal other than copper, aluminum, gold , silver ....

I'm putting this way, as, Im sure the "TnT" does not act like an amplifier to ... 8dB.

just my thoughts, seriously.

You're probably right but I'm just going by what I hear. Its probably less but there is a notable difference in sound level. Much much more clarity in the lower freq - which is probably why I said that earlier. For the sake of clarity I will edit that.

The cables I was using earlier are the Supra Classic 2.5 - no slouches I thought.

 

[Kittu]

Pictures please and the price as well.

 

[anm]

Nikhil - are there multiple cables available? how did you choose one?

 

[square_wave]

This sound level increase is probably an observation due to increase in overall clarity (across the spectrum ) and dynamics. This is very much audible when you move from an unsuitable cable to another which works well between the amp and speaker. It almost like an equipment upgrade.

Congratulations Nikhil.

 

[sbg]

This sound level increase is probably an observation due to increase in overall clarity (across the spectrum ) and dynamics. This is very much audible when you move from an unsuitable cable to another which works well between the amp and speaker. It almost like an equipment upgrade.

Congratulations Nikhil.

agreed, here we are taking about , almost more than half of existing power to drive at the same db as earlier.
surely something wrong with Supra Classic 2.5.

 

[srinisundar]

This sound level increase is probably an observation due to increase in overall clarity (across the spectrum ) and dynamics. This is very much audible when you move from an unsuitable cable to another which works well between the amp and speaker. It almost like an equipment upgrade.

Congratulations Nikhil.

Yes agree with your points, as like Nikhil told not like 8db... Switching of the fans/AC while listening will increase the sound clarity and make an impression correct.

Nikhil : Once again kindly do an "back to back change the cables and hear one particular song" and kindly post your exact review how you are are impressed. It will be helpful for all. Thanks in advance. And info about the core /gauge is also appreciated if you know.

 

[alphacentury100]

You're probably right but I'm just going by what I hear. Its probably less but there is a notable difference in sound level. Much much more clarity in the lower freq - which is probably why I said that earlier. For the sake of clarity I will edit that.

The cables I was using earlier are the Supra Classic 2.5 - no slouches I thought.

Hi, noticable difference in volume man not mean 8db, which is almost 3 times the actual volume. perhaps your previous cable might be defective. just my wild guess.

 

[Nikhil]

Pictures please and the price as well.

Kittu,

Will post pictures as soon as I can. The cables were selected for me by Mr Murthy after I gave him some basic info on my system and the kind of music I listen to. His method is to over engineer the cable in some ways. Its almost too much cable - the cables are so thick they are hard to handle. It felt like I was wrestling snakes to get them to just lay in place behind my speakers!!!

Cost is Rs 2,500/- but I am not really sure. I have the cables on approval and will know the exact cost once he sends me the bill.
But that is about what I think they cost.

As square_wave has said already, its like I have a new system!
I am still shocked at the level of detail I am getting out of the Onkyo Integrated.

 

[Nikhil]

Hi, noticable difference in volume man not mean 8db, which is almost 3 times the actual volume. perhaps your previous cable might be defective. just my wild guess.

Looks like I'm going to get killed for my 8db comment. Ok here goes, when I used to listen to music with my Supra Cables my preferred volume setting was close to 38 - 42. After changing over to these cables I am now listening to music at 32 - 36 level on the volume knob.

The cables have made 6 - 8 clicks worth of difference on the volume knob.
Whatever that means I am not sure in terms of dB but that is the fact I am trying to explain.

 

[thatguy]

Hi, noticable difference in volume man not mean 8db, which is almost 3 times the actual volume. perhaps your previous cable might be defective. just my wild guess.

8 dB increase = 6.3 times the power

dB = 10 log (p2/p1) where log is to the base 10.

For 8 dB increase, p2/p1 should be 6.3 (10^0.8 = 6.3 OR 10 log 6.3 = 8).

Anyway, leave the guy alone. He corrected his post after it was pointed out. I have a lot of respect for people who are more interested in the truth than ego battles. What is disappointing is supposedly experienced audiophiles throwing pointless verbiage at you to *explain* something that was quite possibly wrong.

@OP, if you use an android or iPhone, (I believe) there are apps which can measure the SPL.

 

[Nikhil]

agreed, here we are taking about , almost more than half of existing power to drive at the same db as earlier.
surely something wrong with Supra Classic 2.5.

sbg, there is nothing wrong with the Supra cables. I got them from Lakozy Mumbai and they were absolutely great for me until I switched to these cables. This is not a knock on the Supras but these cables are that much better in terms of overall sound.

 

[Nikhil]

Yes agree with your points, as like Nikhil told not like 8db... Switching of the fans/AC while listening will increase the sound clarity and make an impression correct.

Nikhil : Once again kindly do an "back to back change the cables and hear one particular song" and kindly post your exact review how you are are impressed. It will be helpful for all. Thanks in advance. And info about the core /gauge is also appreciated if you know.

Srini, doing a back to back is going to be a pain. The Supras are bare wire and connecting them back is really not something worth doing given that the sound is so much better with the new cables.

 

[alphacentury100]

8 dB increase = 6.3 times the power

dB = 10 log (p2/p1) where log is to the base 10.

For 8 dB increase, p2/p1 should be 6.3 (10^0.8 = 6.3 OR 10 log 6.3 = 8).

Anyway, leave the guy alone. He corrected his post after it was pointed out. I have a lot of respect for people who are more interested in the truth than ego battles. What is disappointing is supposedly experienced audiophiles throwing pointless verbiage at you to *explain* something that was quite possibly wrong.

@OP, if you use an android or iPhone, (I believe) there are apps which can measure the SPL.

Hi, I meant no offense.
By 3 times, what I meant was (3db increase requires 2 times the actual power, 6db requires doubling the power again, so 8db requires another doubling approximately, so in layman's term i said that is 3 times the actual volume.

Have read many reviews regarding ultra-expensive cables tested face to face with cheap cables in a blind fold test, have only revealed that there isn't any audible difference.

 

[jls001]

This thread is sorely missing the mandatory glamour shot!

It is good to know that a new speaker cable has wrought much improvement in your system. And this Mr Murthy character must be quite some fellow to tailor a cable to the needs of your system based on your description of your system.

 

[Nikhil]

Have read many reviews regarding ultra-expensive cables tested face to face with cheap cables in a blind fold test, have only revealed that there isn't any audible difference.

I was well entrenched in that camp as well. Until I spent time with Mr Murthy at Bangalore. A lot of what he does is based on solid knowledge of cables and cable treatments. For ex. cables normally take about 150-200 hrs to break in. Mr Murthy uses a cable cooker to treat the cables for a few days so that when you use them they are good to go.

After seeing what has happened to my system I would strongly recommend everyone to spend a good amount of time on the power supply and cables. You definitely get so much more out of your setup. With guys like Mr Murthy available I would highly recommend people to have a try. It really doesn't cost that much at all.

 

[Nikhil]

This thread is sorely missing the mandatory glamour shot!

It is good to know that a new speaker cable has wrought much improvement in your system. And this Mr Murthy character must be quite some fellow to tailor a cable to the needs of your system based on your description of your system.

Jls, the guy is all that and more. Very unassuming and humble to talk to. But he is a super senior audiophile in every sense of the word. His knowledge is all from trial and error - having gone thru several cases of cable in his endeavor. Look up my thread in the General Lounge about my visit with him.

 

[square_wave]

If you play pink noise through two cables at a certain fixed volume and check two cables, they both may measure the same.

However, while playing music, one of the cables may let you play at a lower volume than the other. It means that there is balance and synergy between the amp-cable-speaker scientifically no fairy tales. I have seen this happening all the time! When this happens, you dont need to crank up the volume to hear a balanced presentation. This is a common problem with systems with mis-matched cables. In this case, the particular supra cables was not a match. If someone were to analyze both the combination in a Lab, I am sure you will find a reason. Well, who has the time?

 

[santhosh]

And this Mr Murthy character must be quite some fellow to tailor a cable to the needs of your system based on your description of your system.

Yes Josh, to add to what Nikhil has said....
He is a very senior audiophile both by experience and by age too. He does not tailor a cable to a specific system. He is very thorough in his knowledge of materials and usually makes and stocks several types of cables and has his own observations on the sound of each cable. So he is able to make recommendations. The best part is that most if the time, he never takes money beforehand. He gives the product for trial and you can return if you don't like it with your feedback (which he is very receptive to). His products are very well made and priced reasonably too.

Last week, I got a distribution box made by him for my system.