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
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Ketcham, welcome, glad to see you on the site. You asked about isolation of the magnetic waveguide stands and I do That. Tbg also has his ways of isolating waveguides and their stands. I first isolate the mag stands from the floor with 4" squares of pine plywood. Then I use small isolation platform under the stand. I have has success with some small weights in top of the stand… and small weights on the plugs or connectors (power cords or cables ). I also use metal shielding at a number of places over the cables themselves.
The combination of tweaks gives me cleaner, clearer, quieter sound with more dynamics and detail. more real.
All of the tweaks I use are specific to this system and take much time
to perfect and to tune the system with. Very tricky to remove the unwanted stuff and leave all of the good. I have a friend who makes Isolation tables for me in 6 different sizes and damping blocks in 8 different sizes. I use a lot of Stillpoints too.
And yes… the waveguides take up a lot of floor space in my little room. right now I have 7 sets of magnetic waveguides in my system.
Several are resting on other components at this time. I plan to build raised, iso stands for the speaker and interconnect waveguides and to leave the HF mag power filter and power cords closer to the floor but also on iso stands.
I hope you are having fun with your system!! ;-) D
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I should follow up on Ddraudt's comments. Basically HFC wave guides do NOT like to be in contact with wooden floors or carpet. This is a major issue with the HFX UR speaker cables. I don't even like to have any part of the cable in contact with the floor, so I have the wave guides about 24 inches off the floor using 18 KVA broken isolators with Rightway Audio isolators mounted on them. My HFC UR ics are hanging in space, and my HFC URR pcs are on Rightway Audio isolators.

I find the HFC cables make every part of ones system critical, but wow the benefits one gains are, I thought to be unobtainable, but realism is possible.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,425 posts
 
These are a real bargain it seems for wire induced audio orgasms compared to the new TOTL Taralab wires.

Its all relative I suppose. I'll be sticking with my modest DNM ICs and Pangea power cords for the foreseeable future though because, well, as much as I like good sound, I am still basically a cheap skate on the grand scale of things.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mapman, I think the new Tara Labs cables were at the RMAF. I listened for a while and then left. I was unimpressed, especially given their price.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Mapman wrote,

"Its all relative I suppose. I'll be sticking with my modest DNM ICs and Pangea power cords for the foreseeable future though because, well, as much as I like good sound, I am still basically a cheap skate on the grand scale of things."

You could have knocked me over with a feather. Lol just kidding, no harm, no foul.
More to discover