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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
hifial's avatar
hifial
332 posts
 
Hi Pete. It is my understand the HFC XLR Interconnect is a true XLR/balanced cable and not an RCA with XLR adapters.

A few years ago Rick had some special XLR adapters built by Purist Audio that I used with two pairs of HFC RCA cables per channel to create a type of balanced XLR cable as I was balanced only in my system.

When I spoke to Rick about the new XLR cable he said it preformed beyond his expectations.

I hope to try them in a few weeks. 




hifial's avatar
hifial
332 posts
 
I owned one level down from the top MIT Speaker and Interconnect (XLR) cables several years ago.
The HFC are in another league IMHO. And the HFC I owned was the CT-E.
68pete
1,003 posts
 
Thanks hifial
I plan to see Rick at the Newport Show and will look into them. I am using Transparent Ref xl  MM2 balanced now. Please post when you get your cables.
enjoy Pete
philipwu
214 posts
 
Hi hifial, 
i don't mean to start a war with you about the experience you have with MIT cables. Perhaps system synergy and individual taste do come into play when A/B between cables. I'm using electrostatic speakers which often project big sounds into the room, and maybe this work better with MIT cables when compared to HFC cables. I did A/B between these cables and the result is the strength of HFC gives a more coherent and balance frequency response. But it did not let me feel as much as "I'm there with the event " whenever i switch back using MIT cables. I do prefer the coherent sound of HFC but it is more relax and less "impactfull" as a whole. The MIT have a liveliness that make sounds fill with energy, more PRAT and its lower registrar have better impact than HFC. Btw, the comparison is done between Magnan MA and HFC ct-1E cables, so i maybe wrong given that I didn't try comparing higher range of HFC products. Base on my present experience, both these cables have more similarities than different on other sonic areas. 
Anyway I'm mixing both cables in my system to fine tune the qualities i prefer and sometimes do swapping here & there for certain songs/album according to how the recording studio mix the materials. 
-philip
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
I used a combination of HFC and Shunyata Sigma/Alpha PCs in my system.   HFC excels in low noise, imaging and organic sound but compare to Shunyata, it's slower, smaller soundstage and less information.   

I had a full loom of Shunyata and was too much of a good thing but excellent with some HFC in the mix.   For me, one is not better than the other but just different.
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