I’m not here to persuade the unpersuadable. Cables have been one of my more recent obsessions within the audio hobby. For me, cables are a fine tuning tool. A link in a chain that can ultimately enhance or impair a particular set up. So without further ado, I present the
Vortex Minerva.
Specification
C.F.S. Series – Minerva
MSRP - $459
Structure - Multi Strands Litz with Coaxial Shielding
Core - 4N OCC Silver and Silver Plated 5N LC-OFC
Gauge Size - 22.7 AWG
Accessories - Basic Set of Standard ConX 2.0 connectors, Carrying Case, Warranty Card
Impressions
The cable game is a hard one to navigate. While I do find the sonic benefits in aftermarket cables, I still have a hard time justifying the purchase of a cable that costs as much as the IEM I’m pairing them with. Luckily, everyone isn’t requiring the sale of a kidney to provide their costumers with a great product.
Before Vortex had entered the Western market, Liquid Links was my go to ‘budget‘ brand for cables. For the price, it’s hard to argue better value. The Minerva marks my second purchase from Vortex. The packaging is elegant, simple and identical to their flagship offering, minus the provided ConX pack. Accessories are of high grade and I really like the magnet style carrying case. The ergonomics of the Minerva are fantastic. As much as I like the benefits and beauty of a thicker gauge cable, I hate dealing with them in practice. The Minerva is a light, low-memory cable that doesn‘t cause a fuss. The shielding material is attractive, durable and quiet.
Another important feature worth mentioning is the ConX top-end connectors. Before Vortex, I was unaware of any other company utilizing ConX besides Effect Audio cables. I don’t know the specifics on whether or not there is any affiliation between the two companies but I do know I am thrilled to see them offered by Vortex. If you’re unfamiliar with ConX, essentially they give you the ability to swap out the top-end connectors to fit any and all of your IEM’s. Goodbye to the days of having to buy separate cables sporting specific terminations! So because I already own a full ConX set, I was able to sample the Minerva on all of my IEM’s. This feature is really invaluable.
I would describe the sound of this cable as being pretty neutral. I did not notice much, if any, ‘coloring’ to the original sound. What I did notice was a darker background, enhanced bass control, an increase in clarity, and a boost to the technical performance (Imaging/ Soundstage) of the IEM’s I tested. One thing to note, just because I describe this cable as neutral doesn’t mean it is a one size fits all! A lot of manufacturers specifically tune their products with a specific cable. And that specific cable is a contributing factor to the final product. I did not particularly enjoy this cable with L or V shaped IEM’s such as the Xe6 or EE Raven. In my opinion, the Minerva is best suited for more balanced sets.
Pairing
The first set I really enjoyed pairing with the Vortex Minerva was the
Campfire Audio Limited Edition Black Star. I‘m not particularly a fan of stock CA cables and in my opinion, the Minerva is an upgrade from every aspect. The tuning of the BS can best be described as a modest W-shaped signature. With the Minerva, bass is more impactful, the midrange remains slightly forward maintaining its incredible timbre and texture. The top end gets a nice injection of air, better defining instrumental separation and the soundstage width and depth is slightly increased. Most importantly, the background is silent!
The second set I thoroughly enjoyed with the Minerva was the
Elysian Annihilator 23. As I had mentioned earlier, I am a big fan of Liquid Links. The stock Martini cable, in my opinion, is great. But if there was anything I’d like to improve on, it would be the cable ergonomics and the low end of the Anni. Well guess what!? We are reviewing a cable that ticks both those boxes! When paired with the Minerva, the Anni’s low end becomes more controlled, providing better impact and a quicker decay. The mid range and treble regions sound extremely similar on both cables so I wouldn’t buy this cable in hopes of improving either.
Conclusion
At $459 USD, this cable isn’t cheap. But as I stated earlier, I use cables as a fine tuning tool. For me, the Minerva has a permanent home in my collection. It might not be the most notable cable out there, it’s not going to solve world hunger, but it does exactly what I need it to. If you are interested in purchasing, please find the link below
MusicTeck - Vortex Cables - Minerva
