Review from March 2001

auditions

KEY FEATURES

Viper and Cobra interconnects True Colours Industries twosome

TCI Viper is in seven 0.3mm plated copper alloy strands woven in a twisted pair configuration. Core insulation is polyethylene and the screen is a braid-over-foil type. Various terminations are available including Neutrix XLR, TCI locking gold-plated phono and Deltron or Preh DIN plugs with silver-plated contacts. Prices start at £69.99 for a 1m phono to phono pair.
Cobra interconnect is again twisted pair, but using 2.91mm sq silver-plated copper alloy and PTFE as the core insulation material. Screening is of double-braid plated copper. A 1m phono-to-phono pair costs £199.99.
Both cables use a balanced configuration for XLR termination and semi-balanced for other plug types.

TECHNOLOGY

The TCI Viper, armed with its lockable phono plugs looks as though it means business, and sonically it does not disappoint. The sound is well balanced, good bass extension being matched by a generally smooth treble. I noted an occasional touch of sibilance on some female vocals and for example in Beethoven's “Choral” finale [BPO/Karajan, DG], the combination of massed chorus and orchestra showed traces of hardness. Yet separation of instruments and voices was exceptionally good for a cable at this price.
The Cobra has a sonic family resemblance but seems to come from a higher social stratum. Its manners are impeccable and the effortlessness with which it transmits information has made it my current favourite turntable interconnect. The Beethoven LP

was presented with style, the vocal strands laid out for examination without pretension. There was an overall feeling of neutrality and naturalness with this cable; it performed the vanishing trick that many aspire to but few achieve. The one caveat is that is very stiff: one fairly insubstantial phono socket became detached from its mounting under the weight and pull of the Cobra, so care is required in routing this interconnect. TCI's Viper offers excellent performance for the money and is recommended; if the budget will stretch further then the TCI Cobra should be a serious consideration.
WORDS _ TONY BOLTON

PRICE £69.99/£199.99 1m pr
SUPPLIER True Colours Industries
CONTACT 07710 196949

Excellent sound
Phono, XLR or DIN termination available
Balanced or semi-balanced twisted pair construction