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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
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
MC-0.5s, a very fun toy for a tiny fraction of what my HF cables cost.
easy to install, each makes my music more musical!


rlawry
486 posts
 
So at the risk of looking like the resident bozo again, I though I would ask the experts:  how does one go about installing a splitter?  Do you merely plug in a Y-adapter into an unused AC outlet in the AC outlet box, or does it require adding another AC outlet box to the AC line?  I would imagine either to work but could envision reducing the effect using a Y-adapter due to the multiple connections involved.  You could take this idea even further by using one of those cheap multiple plug outlets or even a power strip.  Has anyone tried the splitter method and what were the results?  Thank you.
lak's avatar
lak
4,751 posts
 
rlawry, thats a very good question.
philipwu
214 posts
 
hello to HFC products users, 
i read an science article from the internet, it quotes that magnets loses its magnetism over time (longer for natural rare earth minerals). Even at room temperature, the atoms in the magnetic objects vibrate rapidly. Occasionally, these vibrations cause atoms to fall out of alignment with the rest of the object in the magnetic domain. Normally this process is slow, taking years to be noticeable. 
any physicist would like to add further opinions? and any "shelf life" for HFC products as their cables are subject to electrical signals on & off when we switch on & switch off our audio gears...

rlawry
486 posts
 
Phillipwu:  I see your point about demagnification being an actual event but this issue has been brought up before on this forum and the takeway is that it is a non-issue.  It would take many years before any minimal effect would take place and I guarantee that if you are like me and most normal audiophiles always looking for the next audio fix, your HFC cables will be long gone in favor of some new technology where we can hear a singer's tonsils vibrating like in real life.  Witness all the "tweaks" on Audiogon, many of them patently absurd, if you don't believe that.  There are also so many other factors in the sound of our system, I seriously doubt that I would notice any lessening of magnetic effect.  Perhaps Rick Schultz has done some shelf life studies but having worked for a number of manufacturers, shelf life/expiration dates are largely arbitrary and put on products because they are forced to.  I worked for a medical silicones company that put on their products arbitrary expiration dates, and when customers called to indicate their products had reached the expiration date, we charged them a fee to certify a later expiration date.  We had no data to back it up and did nothing other than to relieve their concerns.  I personally am not concerned about the loss of magnetic flux density of the HFC cables.
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