Author Topic: TMC cables (the-music-cable)  (Read 10709 times)

tuyen

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TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« on: September 13, 2011, 04:51:39 PM »
http://www.the-music-cable.com/



Distinctive Features:
 
*no moving parts

A single solid copper tubing is used as the shielding (for ground connection)
A single copper-clad solid center conductor is used for signal connection,
Quality low density, closed-cell air-foam dielectric is used. The dielectric is bonded to the outer and the center conductor to eliminate all relative movement.
No mesh, no relative movements, no moving parts.
No intermodulation distortion.

* solid copper shielding

The solid copper tubing (the outer conductor) also provides the best protection against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI & RFI). Older designs of cable shielding may fast become inadequate in our modern day environment, especially in busy city where there is a huge increase in the use of telecommunication and electronic equipment.

* highly polished pure copper-clad aluminium single solid center conductor

The aluminum is used mainly as a support, and is relatively non-conductive to the music signal the cable carries in this application. This arrangement forces most if not all of the signal to flow along the thin copper clad tubing, thereby putting “skin-effects” well under control.

We use only premium quality gold-plated, teflon insulated, locking type RCA plug and lead free silver solder.



Picked up cheap a used pair of 1meter TMC White Label interconnects.   I replaced the Lenehan ribbontek interconnects that was going from the DAC to the crossover.

First thing I noticed, most of my hum problems were dramatically sorted!  Dead silent back ground.   Before, with the ribbontek in place, when I had the volume pot all the way to zero,  it was still letting some signal pass as I could still hear some soung pass through the speakers.  When replaced with this, it is not audible anymore.     

Sound wise, great depth and clear separation of notes/congestion.  This could be partly due to the reduction in hum/ground noise(or whatever it was).

Due to the construction of the cable which consists of basically thick copper tubing, it is very hard and not really flexible.  Not really that big issue for me, but just something that I found different and may be worth noting if anyone does end up ordering some to try.

Offline kajak12

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2011, 08:38:12 PM »
Tuyen i had a pair of them ages ago 50cm long going from dac mf v3 to tube buffer ve now i remember where i have seen that name before
still discovering the link between electronics and audio reproduction.so much to learn and so little time

tuyen

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2011, 02:48:29 PM »
I wonder how they would be like on your current system?   Not stupidly priced and slightly different design to the ones I've been looking at for around their money.

Offline kajak12

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2011, 07:07:52 PM »
I wonder how they would be like on your current system?   Not stupidly priced and slightly different design to the ones I've been looking at for around their money.
Bring them with you we can both have a listen  ;)
i dont get noise with lenehan cables that is why i moved my volume pot from dac to amp ;)
still discovering the link between electronics and audio reproduction.so much to learn and so little time

Offline data

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2011, 12:58:00 AM »
Interesting construction.

The hum issue you mention has my attention too, as I'm suffering from an issue similar after changing from a cheap wiper pot (ex-MC-10L) to a Dale ladder pot.

Offline RSG

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2012, 01:57:04 AM »
Hi Tuyen,

Just discovered this thread.  How are you finding the cable now?

I am using all TMC Yellow ICs and their Gold speaker cables.  I have one 1/2 m Yellow IC lying un-used at the moment...you are welcome to try it if you want.

Its quite interesting to be able to turn the volume to the max, place your ears to the speakers and hear absolutely nothing...just don't press 'play' on the CD player, though!

But the stiffness of these cables can be really hard to deal with at times, since there's a limit as to how tightly you can bend them.

Also, the connectors aren't exactly ideal.  I recently asked King (TMC owner) about fitting Eichmann bullet plugs to their ICs but he says they have tried it but found it to be unworkable...pity.



Offline vitavoxdude

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2012, 11:58:06 AM »
Hii Tuyen

Yes the copper tubes first popularsied by a specialist UK company around 20 years ago.  I also marketed these in a limited way around the same time with limited sucess and many returns due to breakage, hence why I stopped supplying them; your average joe soap did not heed the warning to not repeatedly bend them doooh!  What it actually is, i.e. the original purpose is an RF connection for ships etc from the transmitter to the aerial.  They usualy come in 1mtr and half metre lengths and powers up to 800w at rf freq.

For digital to DAC they are outstanding and can with some difficulty due to the rigid nature be coaxed into interconnects.  The outer copper tube screens the inner core 100% and due to it's low resistance provides a very good earth return.  They are a nominal 50 ohms impedance but the worst part is they use a steel inner solid core conductor with a silver or copper coating which can in an unsympathic system result in hardness.  I really liked their speed and as you mention the quietness due to proper low resistance shielding.

The best use is between a transport and DAC (IMV) and they certainly unmuddle a lot of system, in an all horn system they may be too 'hard sounding', best try for yourself or borrow mine if I can find them!

The tube is available from Farnell and RS and others (see link).  Only a few phono plugs are suitable for mounting due to having to solder the outer copper tube but there are some phonos where a grub screw can be driven in slightly and then secured by flowing solder over the 'joint'.  The cable can be cut with a sharp stanley knife blade and then carefully through the PTFE down to the centre conductor.  An iron of at least 25 watts will be needed and preferably twice this amount.  I see since I last used this product they are now sheathing the SPC (steel) inner core(s) with copper then silver.

Having now checked up they come in several impedances down to 17Ohm and some websites quote the impedance per foot here;

Specifications for 25-ohm flexible coaxial cable (800W):
- Impedance: 25 ohms
- Type: Perfect for RF pallet (BLF578 800W)
- Diameter: 2.87mm
- Outer plating: Silver Plated Copper stranded wire
- Temperature range: -55C/+200C
- Dielectric: PTFE
- ROHS compliant: Yes
- Min inside bend radius: 2.8mm
- Max power handling: 600-650W(100MHz)

Specifications for Semi-flexible 50 ohm coaxial cable:
- Impedance: 50ohms
- Type: Perfect for RF pallet (BLF578 800W)
- Diameter: 3.51mm
- Velocity: 69.5%
- Capacitance: 96.8pF/m
- Outer plating: Bare, unjacketed, copper-tin composite 100% coverage
- Temperature range: -55C/+105C
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Inner conductor: Silver coated copper covered steel, ~1mm
- Attenuation: 26dB/100m at 500MHz
- ROHS compliant: Yes
- Min inside bend radius: 2.8mm
- Max power handling: >1000W(100MHz)


Link to useful site : http://www.pcs-electronics.com/semirigid-25ohm-other-special-coaxial-cable-p-1275.html

Connectors which allow a large 'bucket' for soldering  found at Altronics, part No. P0241

It's far easier to change the bulkhead connector to a SMA type on the transport and use SMA connectors either end.

After all the empty, throw away piffle with the banned Mr. D, lets get back on track with some useful input.
V
We all like different things so lets all agree to disagree and if any common ground is found then worship it.  Mine is the KD hence being present on this forum.

Offline kajak12

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2012, 06:45:23 PM »
Hi Tuyen,

Just discovered this thread.  How are you finding the cable now?

I am using all TMC Yellow ICs and their Gold speaker cables.  I have one 1/2 m Yellow IC lying un-used at the moment...you are welcome to try it if you want.

Its quite interesting to be able to turn the volume to the max, place your ears to the speakers and hear absolutely nothing...just don't press 'play' on the CD player, though!

But the stiffness of these cables can be really hard to deal with at times, since there's a limit as to how tightly you can bend them.

Also, the connectors aren't exactly ideal.  I recently asked King (TMC owner) about fitting Eichmann bullet plugs to their ICs but he says they have tried it but found it to be unworkable...pity.



I have owned this cable over 10 years ago when i owned mf (dac,buffer parasound pre and amp with infinity alpha 40 speakers)
don't ask if its good or not everything was good to me back then
still discovering the link between electronics and audio reproduction.so much to learn and so little time

Offline RSG

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2012, 11:18:33 AM »

I have owned this cable over 10 years ago when i owned mf (dac,buffer parasound pre and amp with infinity alpha 40 speakers)
don't ask if its good or not everything was good to me back then
[/quote]

Ah, the good old days when life was so much simpler for the audio enthusiast.

I recently bought a Lenehan IC (the older model, not the newer Ribbontek) from Drew.  It sounds very good.  The flexibility, compared to the TMC, was also a real bonus.

Offline kajak12

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2012, 03:05:12 PM »

I have owned this cable over 10 years ago when i owned mf (dac,buffer parasound pre and amp with infinity alpha 40 speakers)
don't ask if its good or not everything was good to me back then

Ah, the good old days when life was so much simpler for the audio enthusiast.

I recently bought a Lenehan IC (the older model, not the newer Ribbontek) from Drew.  It sounds very good.  The flexibility, compared to the TMC, was also a real bonus.
[/quote]
The ic you bought from drew is a digital coaxial cable i know it well i discovered it and introduced mike to it.
Yeh the good old days buy and selling not much listening
still discovering the link between electronics and audio reproduction.so much to learn and so little time

Offline qwerter

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2012, 10:04:58 PM »
Any updates/impressions on the cable?

Offline vitavoxdude

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Re: TMC cables (the-music-cable)
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2012, 12:38:27 AM »
Any updates/impressions on the cable?
Did you read my reply?
It's a very fast clean sounding interconnect which demuddles a lot of systems.  I beleive it's best as a connector between transport and DAC as it can sound a bit hard as an interconnect and the bending radius issue is real.
V
We all like different things so lets all agree to disagree and if any common ground is found then worship it.  Mine is the KD hence being present on this forum.