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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
acman3
4,274 posts
 
Thanks Calvin, and look forward to your thoughts after break in.

The RCA adapters, in my system, adds more of the HFC sound ( or lack of noise) to the system. Not like a step up in level of cables like ct1 to ct1e, but is noticeable. 

To people who have been here, If you had to choose between adding another Ultra powercord, in place of a Silent Source MR, or replacing Ct1 speaker cables with Ct1e speaker cables, which way would you go? The powercord are amazing but worried the Ct1 speakers cables may be a bottleneck. 
lak's avatar
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lak
4,674 posts
 
calvinj & acman3,
Thanks for the information...fill us in after break-in, or as it progresses.
acman3; what piece of equipment is your  Silent Source MR powering?

acman3
4,274 posts
 

Lak, I currently use it on an Allnic A1500, with EML xls. I do switch back and forth with a Silent Source Sig. on Yamamoto Dac. Slightly bolder presentation with Sig on amp; smoother with MR on amp. The more I think about it I am leaning toward keeping the SS Music Ref.


Rest of equipment is

Shindo Aurieges 

Volti Alura speakers (early rendition)

PS Audio PWT


acman3
4,274 posts
 
Forgot to add, Ct1 Ultimate to Sound Application Conditioner, with all enhanced interconnects.
rlawry
485 posts
 
Dunno about the power cables, but in my experience with HFC signal cables, they don't seem to follow the same pattern as that of other cables in that a lower level cable will act as a "bottleneck."  By that I mean that adding a higher level cable to replace a lower level cable in a full loom of lower level cables will have minimal effect until you upgrade all of the lower level cables.  Kind of like adding a freeway lane that merely moves the bottleneck elsewhere and does little to alleviate traffic.  Conversely, I have found that HFC cables are additive--the more magnets the better and there doesn't seem to be the traditional bottleneck.  So if you have all regular CT-1s and add a UR cable, it would likely have more effect than upgrading all CT-1's to E's, since the effect seems to accelerate more the further one goes up the HFC line. 

Maybe others here can weigh in but this has been my upgrade experience.  I posted more details on my experience with HFC cables in an earlier post above.  IMO, the lower level of signal, the more magnets seem to influence the sound.
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