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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
 
Abraxis, I apologize, at least for myself anyway, that you find us posters on this forum to be fanboys or shills for HFC.  My intent has always been to post my personal experiences and I can assure you I have been a serious audiophile since before my college days over 40 years ago.  I have had a multitude of speakers, electronics, cables, tweaks, room treatments, analog front ends, you name it.  I always thought the limiting factors were with electronics but found myself at least partially wrong when I tried my first HFC cable.  At one point I had about $80K of NBS cables but went to other cables prior to HFC.  Like others here, I have paid way too much on HFC products, but when hearing what are almost certainly the biggest changes ever, it is hard not to keep pursuing the addition of these products to my system that keeps improving the sound ever more.  I would have to consider myself being dishonest if I were compensated by convincing others to buy these products.  I am in technical sales in the medical device industry and learned a long time ago not to operate this way.

My system consists of:  Essence solid-state power amp, Essence tubed preamp, Manley Steelhead phono stage, SME 20/2 turntable with Graham Phantom arm and Lyra Titan i cartridge, Homemade speakers with Audio Nirvana 12" single drivers with alnico magnets, JL Audio F113 subwoofer, NOS tubes, KL Audio ultrasonic LP cleaner, and 8000 LP's.  I also have a digital rig but rarely listen to it.  For HFC products I have 3 pairs of UR interconnects, U speaker cables, a URH power conditioner on a dedicated 20A line, a URH power cable to the Manley (my amp and preamp have custom power cords with round military connector), and 7 of the MC-0.5's plugged into the wall and into unused conditioner outlets.

I personally am not aware of any shills on this forum and hope there are not.  No one has steered me wrong yet.
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rlawry
484 posts
 
Benjie:  Here is what I have found.  First, in my system the signal cables made a bigger difference than power cables.  IC>speaker cables>power cables.  And the closer to the source, the bigger the difference.  The MC-0.5s made a difference similar to upgrading a level of cables each time I added one but they are still breaking in, so I am not sure of their final effect.  I would imagine there to be a point of diminishing returns on HFC products but I haven't reached it yet.  Going up the line on signal cables seemed to accelerate the further up the line I went, at least to UR products, but others who have been lucky enough to hear URH and Pro signal cables say the change in sonics is even greater, as they should be with the accelerating prices.  I also heard a great effect in adding my URH power conditioner.  So I have found like the others that it seems the more the magnets, the better the sound, although their position also affects the effectiveness of the sonic improvements as I mentioned earlier.  I would venture that if you have experienced big improvements in your systems and like the effects, you will, like me, probably run out of money before reaching the point where the products stop improving the sound.
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ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
benjie, thanks for the question! I have had most of the HF cables my system and have heard them in my friends systems many times as well.
These friends are mostly audio industry people who have great desire for the best audio.
THE Ct-1s were a real eye opener to a different sound, a cleaner more musical and lifelike than I'd heard before. That got me hooked!
I have spent most of my time and all of my money pursuing HF Magnetic products since this thread started.
 I have tried every level of HF products and agree with Roger
the the quality of each level is amazingly alluring. Each has taken me to a realm in audio I hadn't heard before. "Shockingly Superior" to quote a reviewer friend of mine.
In my system the power cords made the biggest improvement,
but that was comparing power cords from Ultimate to URH with cables of that same level. The Pro level is another story as the interconnects and speaker cables sound like they are from another universe!
Point is...each level up has bigger and more powerful magnets because of the theory that the more magnets you add, the more amazing the sound gets. I have friends who have more magnetic stuff than I and their sound is more amazing.
I have 8 MC-0.5s which sounds better than 4.
I know folks who have 9, 11 and 18 of them. They all claim amazement.


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