2. cables
  3. 1335297906

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
478 posts
 
audiolabryinth:  No amount of posts guarantees superiority of thought, i.e. quantity does not guarantee quality.  Nor is any one review the gospel truth.  There is no arguing in matters of taste, correct?  Do you remember the Stereophile review of the infamous Light Cables where the reviewer proclaimed them a sonic revolution, where subsequent tests indicated they were essentially massive harmonic distortion generators?  This issue then went quietly away, obviously due to well-deserved embarrassment.  I for one would greatly prefer that you stick to the intent of this thread and discuss HFC cables. Personally I do not need reviews to tell me the sonic virtues of products.

Benjie:  I also have wondered about the use of degaussing of systems.  When I demagnetize my phono cartridge I disconnect the HFC URH cables at the turntable end and insert some nonmagnetic interconnects to it and my phono demagnetizer, then re-introducing the HFC cables after demagnetizing.  Not sure about degaussing the entire system since the intent IS to magnetize your system, and whenever I disconnect HFC products the sonic levels diminish until the system re-magnetizes.  If you decide to use degaussing methods I would not think that it would have any permanent effect on the magnets used in HFC products, but I also think it would have little effect on demagnetizing the system as well.  Maybe someone else could weigh in here.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Guys, I have been spending most of my time doing a HFC Pro review. I agree with what has been said about recovery of the system after no use. I should note that I find it very difficult to compare HFC cables with other cables as the effect of system magnetic influence lasts a while making me taking a long time to undo its influence. Then when I put the HFCs in it takes a while to recover. 

One thing that I might add about MC-0.5s-they don't like vibrations! I have tried an old Syn. Res. power strip and thought to use Star Audio Points and got a great improvement. Similarly, putting them under a HFC MC-6 with six MC-0.5s plugged into it on the Audio Points and again got a big improvement.

I have also noticed that putting a single MC-0.5 on a dedicated circuit with only my turntable putted into it. I heard a benefit? This is only an electric motor on the turntable!!

Finally, one warning. Don't listen to the HFC Pros if they are beyond your financial reach.
justubes2
203 posts
 
tbg,

Agreed that the MC-0.5 are indeed sensitive to vibration and had success having some wood to counter resonance to give a slightly more natural sonic on just 1 of the MC0.5's.

I looked into the home circuit and found that even my dedicated line is connected from the main breaker in parallel further upstream. So even playing CD's, your MC0.5 plugged in will most probably have some effect as well, provided that it is in the same phase of your electric circuit.

There can be single to 3 phase used for mains which depends what was installed to your home.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Benjie wrote,

"Hello, I have a question about degaussing my system. I use the Cardas Frequency Sweeps record to do this. I think it works great to clean my cartridge stylus and degauss the rest of my system. Now that I am using High Fidelity Cables throughout my system do you think it will have a negative effect on the cables ?

The reason I ask this question is because the reason why we degauss our system is to remove unwanted magnetism that has built up in our system. Since HFC products introduce magnetism to our signal path is degaussing good or bad for optimum performance of HFC products."

Most likely the demag disc would have no effect on the magents involved with High Fidelity Cables since they use permanent  (rare earth) magnets. The conductors of HF cables are mu metal IIRC and should also not be affected. 

ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Benjie, I agree that demagnification products may help with unwanted electrical charge created magnetic interference, and that the permanent,
purposeful, magnetic arrays in HF products would not be negatively effected over time.
I used to demagnify the whole system with a disc demag unit and could hear the improvement but now, with all the magnetic stuff I have now, demagnifying doesn't seem necessary. I believe that with the magnetic control HFC stuff, it eliminates unwanted noise like IF and RF.

More to discover