TOXIC CABLES - THE VIRUS REVIEW
Well I'll start this review by saying that after I first set eyes on Frank's latest creation of a Hybrid called The Virus.
I immediately mailed him that I really would like to buy one..
His reply was "Haven't you got enough cables already?". Ummm well yes but not this one........
Well to be honest the man had a point....I do own many cables yes, but my favorite 2 were from The Toxic Stables of Cables....
The Silver Poison and the Silver Widow, the latter was only acquired earlier this year.
So with this in mind I just had to get the latest....I had Silver & Gold but this offered Silver & Copper.
I also had a 30 pound gift voucher that was burning a hole in my pocket.....
LOOKS & BUILD QUALITY:
Anyway, after the usual wait, which seems to have got longer as the news of these cables has spread through the Head-fi community.
Fast forward so many weeks......I finally had the Package in my eager hands.
On first look, it had all the trademarks of Toxic's fine build quality & the braiding with the Oyade connector was a work of Art. Yes the Virus was indeed well put together, felt great in my hand incredibly light , highly flexible, & pliable.
LET THE COMPARISON'S BEGIN:
SILVER POISON SILVER WIDOW VIRUS
TEST EQUIPMENT - IPOD 7th Gen- CLAS- ALO RXII- UM Miracle Custom IEM.
Songs Esbjorn Svensson Trio: Do the Jango Fast paced Three piece Piano Trio
Pat Metheny: And I Love Her (beatles cover) Acoustic Guitar
Norah Jones: Come Away With Me Female Vocals
1: SILVER POISON: Stranded OCC Silver with 1% Gold Cryo Treated.
After ordering the Virus, I immediately went back to the basic stock cable just to familliarise myself again. I admit this was difficult at least at the start.
Finally when the Virus arrived I put it on constant burn in, so now I had the opportunity to hear my cables fresh again.
First off the rank was the Silver poison. Immediately this cable made impact on me cleaner f
aster bass, slight increase in soundstage, the vocals seemed more life like, blows the stock cable away. I have an original Pure Silver Fortis cable which I also tried but the SP seemed to have more substance with greater bass retreival due to the gold in the cable, even the Treble was more crisper and smoother not as harsh. A very nice cable indeed.
2: SILVER WIDOW: Stranded OCC Silver With ?% Gold Cryo Treated Litz.
Now this cable definately "ups the ante" WOW....Now I remember why I was so impressed the first time. Everything is just sooo much better.
Who says the Miracle does not have bass...... Get this Cable, Its got it in truckloads....I found myself pulling the Miracle out of my ear just to see if I had the Merlin in instead? Silver Widow... It takes the Miracle to the next level to another realm.. Sparkly Highs that just keep extending . The soundstage also gets improved again slightly more than the SP. This cable is winner with any Genre it has it all... Surely Frank Cant beat this one?
3: VIRUS: First True Hybrid Using both Stranded Silver & Copper within the same wire Triple Cryo Treated Litz.
The reason I picked EST's Do the Jangle is because not all cables can handle it, making a mess with Instrument separation during such complex passages from this Jazztrack. All of Frank's cables pass
ed this test, especially the Virus the instrument sounded real It gave me the total picture of there placement. It's safe to say this cable so transparent It ticks all the boxes. I love this cable everything is just so clear....A great compliment to the Miracle.....when I close my eyes I can clearly place the Muscicians in my mind, I can pick the individual instruments the bass has Authority but never draws attention to itself. Fast and detailed quality bass that extends deep when needed. Drums are amazing hearing the sticks slap against the skins on the snare & thud on the toms , cymbals are crisp and extend wonderfully. The Acoustic Guitar of Pat Metheny is a delight to the senses, I love his version of the Beatles' And I love her, Here The Miracle/Vrus combo really helped create that magic that makes ones hair raise.
I love Norah Jones' first album, I picked Come away with me and was not dissapointed, sure there's better singers out there, but not as cute..... anyway it was as if she was right next to me I could hear her breathe. (enough said) .
Frank you are a genius, I am so happy with all 3 of my purchases. The newest Virus cable is now on the Miracle full time a great match, the Silver Widow is now on the Merlin, which by the way also has great synergy, as it has opened up the highs for me as it was formerly a tad dark, but also retains that hefty punch which I love for those live recordings.
To sum it all up, I would have been happy with the Silver Poison, if I had not heard the Silver Widow which just raises the bar on every level.
Then The Virus comes along, Its got everything but not as imposing as the SW, Its a wider cleaner neutral cable, that just oozes class.
No the Virus is not better than the Silver Widow they are just different.
Now in saying what I have said, firstly remember that you need to have some nice gear for the magic of Toxic cables to work for you.
Cables alone with just anything wont cut it. BUT....If you have shelled out and have...... Then do yourself a favour and add a little of Frank's magic
to the mix. Its the seasoning that makes a good meal great.