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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
 
Mapman, since there are hundreds of magnets in the top lines, I doubt, even were your post to be sincere, if you will ever see any field coils.
rlawry
478 posts
 
I still say the biggest difference I have heard was when I replaced one of my previous interconnects with a regular CT-1 interconnect. Apparently just getting one set of magnets changes the electron flow the most. I have moved up the line in signal cables, a mix of U and UR, and have a prototype helix PC and URR power cord to my phono stage, improving the sound with each step, but still think the biggest change was the first time I heard the sound affected by magnets. I doubt I will ever be able to afford Pro series cables but like the idea of using electromagnets.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
In continuation from my previous post…

Last August, I moved up from the stunning CT-1 to the Ultra series for all PCs powering the Rowland M925 monos, Rowland Aeris DAC, and Esoteric X-01 transport, as well as for the digital coax between transport and DAC. Well before completing break-in, I experienced a further leap in harmonic density, refinement of micro details, clarification of images, stage concreteness, authority, and something that I can only define as a rare combination of agility and grandness. All these qualities kept moving upwards until they stabilized at about 400 hours.

Considering my overall experience this far with the HFC wires, what has been consistent is the incredible frequency extension which seems inherent with the brand, together with a complete absence of any trace of treble hardness, which in so many other cable brands is an annoying product of residual intermodulation side bands.

Ah yes, and what about the eternal audiophilic question... Is the HFC house sound "warm", or is it "neutral"... Oddly enough, the answer is... Yes to both!

In other words, HFC house sound can be perceived as either neutral or warm, depending on one's particular esthetic inclination. The total lack of artifacts, combined with the complexity of harmonic exposure may persuade the seeker of warmth that HFC is in fact “subtly warm", because of its utterly immersive and captivating listenability. Conversely, the fan of neutral sound might focus on HFC’s even treatment of the frequency spectrum, without perceivable emphasis to any particular frequency band. I venture to suggest that with HFC the warm versus neutral dichotomy is obsolete, and is therefore not applicable.

In other words, HFC transcends the entire warmth vs neutrality issue. A more apt name for its utterly mesmerizing house sound may be "immersively complex" – a quality with the potential of garnering favor in both camps of the eternal debate.

Have I ever experienced any PCs in my system that I prefer to HFC Ultra? The answer is simple and mono-syllabic… No. HFC Ultra has elevated my system performance by a significant margin, and is therefore my new PC and coax reference point!

On the other hand, might the High Fidelity Ultra line be beat... Yes, I have well founded fears that moving up from Ultra to Helix, Ultra Reference, and Pro may be bound to enhance the magic of my system even to further heights… Scary thought *Grins!*

Saluti, Guido
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mapman, since there are hundreds of magnets in the top lines, I doubt, even were your post to be sincere, if you will ever see any field coils.

The purpose of the HFC design is to get rid of the magnetic fields. Electromagnets, however, use magnetic fields to attract ferrous metals. So each is adverse to the other.
calvinj
2,317 posts
 
@guidocorona. To me HFC just brings clarity and precision that I hadn't ever heard with the other brands. It always finds a way into my system.
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