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
jazzonthehudson's avatar
jazzonthehudson
277 posts
 
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.

rlawry
479 posts
 

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.

lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
4,645 posts
 
Any feedback from users of the new HF adapters?
Someone that purchased the adapters and has used them, hopefully also can compare to the regular HF products???
Please post findings or PM me.
Thanks...
rrsclyde
84 posts
 
I'm curious about the adapters also; I look forward to reports on their impact (especially with non HF cables).
barbapapa
244 posts
 
Hello all,
I am looking for new speaker cables to connect my Analysis Audio Epsilon, and think about CT1U or Tellurium Q Silver Diamond. Does someone experiment with both of these cables and can give me an advice ?
Thanks
Barba

More to discover