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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
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
However, the part that confuses me is that all HFC cords appear to use the same size conductors, only the magnets get larger as you move up the chain. So being old school, and thinking that more current requires larger gauge conductors has me confused how using larger magnets with the same size conductors can provide the same results of handling higher current.
That’s a good question, John, and I certainly can’t provide any insight into what the answer may be despite having looked at the patent a while back. But it seems clear that the gauge and resistance concepts underlying more conventionally designed cables don’t seem to apply here. You’ll recall discussing in the thread some time ago that you and others measured seemingly absurd amounts of resistance for some of the HFC speaker cables, in the vicinity of 10 or 11 ohms for the combined resistance of the two conductors. But nevertheless no one seems to report any issues resulting from that, aside in some cases from having to turn the volume control up higher than when using other speaker cables.

It might be interesting, though, to measure the resistances of these power cords, as was done for the speaker cables.

Best regards,
-- Al
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hifial
332 posts
 
jmcgrogan2, yes, Merrill needs to update his web site.
He does have the Waveform listed under "Specifications" but he still has the TWL listed under "Features" so next time I speak to him I will remind him to make the change.

Very nice amp by the way. Do you know what is the max amp draw at peak output? Just curious to see if there is that much of a difference to the Veritas.

Well I agree with Rick that the CT-1E would be better it is also around double the cost so it gets to be tough when one needs two power cables like myself. Oh, for the days when I only needed one power cord on a stereo amp. LOL.

And from my limited experience with HFC there is no small improvement from CT-1 to CT-1E. At least in my system. So I understand, in a way, why he says that.

I found that the CT-1E brought more bass/definition and harmonics/body
and blacker background. Not the CT-1 was lacking the those.

I do think the one size of the cable is the limiting factor in these cables. But that the larger magnets allow the the same size cable to be used. I only mean in the way they sound NOT in the ability to handle power in the traditional sense.

A long time ago when I first spoke to Rick he told me the biggest bang for the buck was to use it on the source and go from there.
He also mentioned that when he brings out his power conditioner and cords that he was working on they would yield a large improvement.
At the time his estimate of what they would cost was high but not as high as the production versions, och.


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knghifi
1,668 posts
 
From talking to Rick, CT-1 PC can get damaged or melt if drawing too much current.  There's a safety feature in the higher end models that protect the cable but all HFC PCs have a max draw limit.

I use CT-1 PCs on my DAC.  On the pre, I prefer Shunyata Sigma Analog.  It's more dynamic, faster, bigger sound stage ... Shunyata Sigmas are excellent PCs.   It's also expensive but relatively a bargain compare to competitors.

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