2. cables
  3. 1335297906

High Fidelity Cables CT-1designed by Rick Schultz

In December 2011,I wrote that High Fidelity cables led by cable designer Rick Schultz was putting together a new cable.The cable came to market as CT-1.The CT-1 has FINALLY made it into my system!I had obtained a version of the prototype that Rick had been working on.It blew my previous reference Genesis by Virtual Dynamics.I thought I had finally found my end with this cable.This prototype delivered to my ears "Nirvana".Could I be at the end of my quest for the ultimate sound?
No. I received two pairs of CT-1 to replace my prototypes.They went into the system this past Friday.Unable to dedicate time until Sunday listening,I stole a few moments,ducking away from company with anticipation.My guest could tell even with the music set for"ambiance"something was intriguing and I was in for a treat!
The experience:
First off,CT-1 was very user friendly.Installation was simple;the cable is very nice and light.The female RCA fit beautifully unlike any I had found in other cable.It was secure and reliable.It seemed much thought was dedicated to developing a designer fit to an aesthetically stunning RCA connector.Install entailed a few wiggles to ensure what seemed like a compression fit on my RCA.
It was 2-3 hrs. for the 1st step of break in to be complete.At that point I had something different!Today,although they only have 10-12 hrs. on them,I can`t put into words how much my system has transformed.Believe me,I loved my prototypes.However....there is simply no comparision.
The clarity and sound is so natural.
The soundstage is like nothing I ever heard.Resoulution is breathtaking and inner detail is simply hard to believe possible.
The sound has transended and now it simply does not seem as thought I have speakers.
My system is musicians playing music.
I am told with time they will improve and I trust that as it was revealed with the prototypes.I wanted to share my thoughts with you that now.
Unequivocally,a testament to High Fidelity,as the name declares.
High Fidelity Cables for me,the last word on it,after 12 hours!
Truly Amazing

Al
alpass
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I have two HFC CT-1 power cords. When they had broken in a while, I heard the top end extension that is so characteristic of HFC. This characteristic sets them apart from other power cords in my experience and makes a comparison very difficult.

In my case, having six of the URR power cords that are clearly better and provide the ultra sense of being at the recording venue makes me unavailable for the CT-1 use. I might wish that they were available when I bought the fifth and sixth URR pc.

I suspect that those with experience with what HFC brings to the table will love the CT-1s. Since I think the HFC pcs have greater impact than do the ics and speaker wires, other might want to make the CT-1s their first excursion with HFC. I should also note that the CT-1 are much easier to install, having no waveguide in the middle.
rdoc
95 posts
 
About a month ago I decided to demo a pair of Ultimate Speaker cables and a pair of Ultimate IC's. I purchased a set of CT-1's about a year ago. I thought them to be far better than any cables that I had heard in my 45+ years as an audiophile. I was expecting the Ultimate's to be better, but I was not prepared for just how wonderful they are. I have owned the best of Nordost, MIT, Analysis Plus, and others over the years. They belong in the category of very good cables. The High Fidelity Ultimate's are a revelation! Putting them in the system is like putting in a great new preamp. No, it is like putting in a great new amp and speakers. No, putting in the Ultimate's is like replacing one's whole system with one that is many times better than before. The Ultimate's in my opinion should be considered a very high end component and not just cables. They allow a clarity of holographic sound that must be heard to be believed. I delayed my demo a long time because of what I thought were hyperbolic statements on this thread that I had trouble believing. Hearing IS believing with the Ultimate's. They give detail as I have never heard before and yet are utterly non-fatiguing. It seems that they lower distortion by an order of magnitude allowing more music to flow. Bass is more palpable. Highs are more refined. It is like the highest quality camera and lens capturing a beautiful picture compared to one taken by a Brownie camera from days gone by. HF cables do need many hours of break-in and if moved some break-in is again required. Do not listen to them unless you are prepared to purchase them! The HF Ultimate's are just absolutely magnificent and the best purchase I have ever made in all my decades as an audiophile.
calloway
874 posts
 
Very sadly i had to send back the 2 demo CT-1 pcs that i borrowed from 'The Cable Company' recently. ( thanks to Paul Jenkins). i currently have my 3 pcs for sale and as soon as they sell i will be replacing each with one of the HF CT-1 pcs. Like the rest of Rick's stable of cables they are amazing. i took them to a friend's house and replaced 2 of his pcs with the CT-1s and he was amazed at the improvement in his system. In my system the whole musical picture became so much more 'there'. Voices were more real. Blackness was blacker.Highs were more clear and pure.The decay of notes within a passage was amazing.I hate cliches so i won't go on but the cables are just superb.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Calloway, lest I be misunderstood on the CT-1s let me speak of more recent experiences. I had two non-HFC cables on my raid system and driving my turntable. Surprisingly and clearly the HFC CT-1 in both cases gave superior performance. Noise on the ac line even that remaining after the HFC Waveguide power center, harms performance.

I was glad that someone without broad experience with the HFC URR power cord and an open mind reported their experiences.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Rdoc, Thanks for sharing you excitement about you HFC experience.
Fun, isn't it? I'm breaking in Ct1 pc now for a weekend test. So far I do notice improvements in clarity and quietness in my system.
Keep on enjoying the music!
D
More to discover