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
I now have gone through four levels of High Fidelity Cables ics and speaker wires- CT-1 standards, Enhanced, Ultimate, Ultimate Reference, Enhanced phono cables, and multiple levels of their power cords. I still remember my shock with the first pair of HFC CT-1 ics installed. They strikingly different sounding from any of the perhaps fifty different ics I've owned or heard, but I also remember that the Enhanced ics after three days were clearly superior.

With ics, speaker wires, pcs, etc. each level was clearly superior, had more magnets and, of course, was more expensive. But I must say that IMHO all were worth the cost increase and was told that they each had many more magnets. I once asked Rick was there ever enough magnets and declining benefits from adding more. He said only that cost might be the limiting factor.

I have only heard the Pro line with two Pro series power cords. I also heard the entire Pro series at the RMAF. But I have reached my limits. I already have more invested in cables than in everything else and have no regrets. There is no going back for me!
Constantly pushing the limits of sound. Constantly pushing the product to get better and better. I've watched Rick innovate and innovate again. I listened a lot of cables and the immediacy of the high fidelity stuff is just different. Trying to make the best conduit to sound as possible. It's just flat out exciting and relaxing at the same time. That's hard to explain but music makes me happy and when I hear it even clearer it takes you there. Drive and determination for the hobby. Glad I tried the first ct1 4 years ago. Been on a unforgettable journey in sound. High fidelity as well as other equipment. It's been a joy!!!

i will be upgrading my CT-1U interconnects to the CT-1UR in the next week or so. Can' t wait.Will get back with my thoughts..
Eager to hear comments re the adapters as I am considering them for the center and surround channels of my home theater some day and really can not imagine to have CT1-x cabling there.

I have CT1U in both systems and love them, just hoping there would a more affordable alternative to yield somewhat the same result. Any pointers?

Having not the very best experience going full loom (PAD, Audience, NordOst, HiDiamond), I am hesitant to doing that again for HFC, missing the power cords. Some $$$ is also needed to close the gap.  I am upgrading my DAC first.

Here is what I have found so far regarding HFC cables. 

First, the biggest change I have heard so far is merely adding one CT-1 cable into my system.

Second, there doesn't seem to be a "bottleneck" when adding more HFC cables, i.e. the more magnets the better, no matter whether you add CT-1x to replace another brand of cable, or whether you upgrade one or more of the HFC cables.  I have had other cable brands where adding one cable didn't make much difference since another cable elsewhere in the system was the limiting factor.  Conversely, with HFC cables you could have all regular CT-1s and adding a UR cable would make a big difference.

Third, the further up the line, the greater incremental change, i.e. UR change over U is greater than U over E.  And it ought to be given the ever-increasing price difference as you go up the line.  Going from U to UR is simply amazing.

Fourth, the closer to the source, the greater the effect.  I have found the biggest changes to be from my turntable with 0.5 mV output cartridge to my phono stage, the next biggest from my phono stage to my line stage preamp, and so on.  For signal cables, the least effect (still a big change) is in speaker cables.  This makes sense since intuitively it would take a bigger magnet to affect a greater voltage signal. 

Signal cables seem to be more affected than power cables, but all still have a big effect. 

Waiting to hear how much difference the magnetic adapters make.