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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
lak's avatar
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lak
4,557 posts
 
@ddraudt,
My first HF U speaker cables had spades.
My updated HF U speaker cables have bananas.
I honestly can't say that one sounds better than the other, but with my system component set up the bananas are easier for me to use.
My 3.7 Maggies have a small hex screw that I can add some pressure to the bananas however the magnetic attraction holds the bananas firmly into the back of my Plinius SA Reference amp.
I'm very pleased with the bananas.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Thanks lak. I hope to compare the two once I get a replacement for one defective Banana plug.

misterbritt
22 posts
 
@ddraudt Let me see if I'm following you. You started with a pair of bananas and one was defective. You are returning those and replacing them with spades. Is that the scenario, please?
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
mister britt, I have both sets of ends, I was using bananas at Ricks suggestion until one banana broke. Now I am using Bananas on the
right amp input and spades on the left until I can get a replacement Banana.
At the speaker end I have Bananas.
Interestingly enough, when my amp is turned to "zero" or max attenuation, I can still hear the spade side but not the banana side.
This might indicate spades are better... or the volume difference may be caused by one of a hundred other things. Time and experimentation will tell.
misterbritt
22 posts
 
Two unrelated questions. How did you break a banana? And do you use a HFC power conditioner in your system? I have at least looked at every thread on this post, but if that was discussed I don’t recall it, or any meaningful discussion of HFC’s power conditioners -- with the exception of the MC-0.5s.

On a related note, do you run your amps straight from the wall or through a conditioner?

I’m having some Reveal items made and I’m curious about the banana versus spade on the speaker cables; and I’m also curious about whether it makes sense to have some especially long Reveal power cords made in order to use my current non-HFC conditioning system.

I will say that in my discussion with HFC when I was cobbling together my order (which I detailed on another thread here, the one dedicated to the Reveal line -- you know, the cheap seats -- ha), that I was informed that the totemic power order of HFC’s magic is: Power, then ICs, then speaker cables, then jumpers. I didn’t really ask if by "power" they meant power conditioners first, then power cords. But I was clearly informed that HFC considers power the number one priority. I was wondering what your thoughts and experience are along these lines, please.

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