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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
rlawry
484 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.
calvinj
2,419 posts
 
High fidelity mp6 power conditioner is breaking in and I'm happy that I got it.  The high fidelity stuff usually brings clarity and quiet black backgrounds. This power conditioner does the same thing. I was using a furman and this hands down is better. The music sounds more open and clearer.    You want your power conditioner to be nuetral and transparent and 
lak's avatar
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lak
4,665 posts
 
acman3,
You have a very nice system.
IMO; I think you will get more bang for your buck with an upgrade to a HF power cord vs. the upgrade to speaker cables. I could be wrong, but just my thoughts. I'm using an Allnic T-1500 in one of my systems with a CT-1 power cord on it and a CT-U power cord on my Yamamoto Dac in that system.
calvinj
2,419 posts
 
Spent the last couple of days burning in the power conditioner more. It sounds best when fed by a high fidelity power cable. That might be expensive for some audiophiles. I understood that so I also compared it to the furman and the tributaries power conditioners that I had on hand while using a lower priced clarity power cable and the the high fidelity power conditioner easily bettered the other two conditioners. The high fidelity power conditioner gave a more in depth presentation of the music. It gave the music more depth. The cymbals seemed a little more airy and the drum and guitar initial impacts are there more.  The music jumps out of blackness. There seems to be a lower noise floor. It's a keeper for me because I know you could spend more and get less performance.  I'm not taking the the chance the high fidelity mp6 is a keeper for me. It's a must try for those who want a reasonably priced power conditioner.
acman3
4,272 posts
 
Thanks Lak and Rlawry I think the power cable situation may be solved. I will know next week. 

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