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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
4,646 posts
 
@68pete, Which component do you have the Pro power cord on?
I don't doubt the Pro sounds great, Its just totally out of my price range!
68pete
1,001 posts
 
Hi lak
I put the pro power cord from the wall to the MC 6 Hemisphere. I was going to put it on the disc player, but after talking to Rick and HFC they felt this would be the best place for it. I may move it later to the disc player, but right now i am really enjoying it where it is at. The disc player has URH on it plugged into the MC 6 Hemisphere along with the pre amp which has the UR on it. HFC felt that it would benefit both components or everything plugged into the Hemisphere.
Yes it put a big hurt on my budget and i will not be doing a lot of things for a while. But when i  play music on the system i feel it was worth it.
Its very clear on how much i like the MC O5s. HFC has them on sale here on Audiogone for a good price. i normally would be all over them, but the budget is done for a while.
enjoy Pete
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lak
4,646 posts
 
68pete, The placement of the Pro power cord makes a lot of sense to me.
lilmsmaggie
273 posts
 
@68pete  - I know what you mean.   You were right, the resulting sound can become addictive.

So far I have two MC-0.5's in the wall and the RCA adapters on my tonearm cable.  I'm not sure what magnetic induction does but now I'm a believer.  Adding the RCA adapters was quite a noticeable improvement in the sound.  I have one more MC-0.5 but I'm waiting for the adapters to break-in a little bit more before I plug it into the wall with the other two.

Joe at HFC said that the adapters take about the same amount of time to break-in (300-400 hrs.) as the MC-0.5's depending on how much juice is sent through the cable but break-in is much faster when used in series with other HFC products.

I think a MC-6 is in my future ;- )

Will keep you posted.


jay23
210 posts
 
The MC-1 Pro looks like Mickey ears, and a Disney lawsuit waiting to happen! 😂

I hope it is as good as claimed. This seems like a deviation from their approach, and the MC-1 Pro description seems to be filled with contradictions.

The description of the Hemisphere says:

"Traditional power conditioning requires electronic devices such as transformers, inductors, capacitors, and even resistors. These devices rob the system of electrical efficiency causing some of the electrons to be taken or flittered to earth ground in hopes to eliminate noise. This old approach literally wastes the vital energy, discarding both good and bad and never knowing the difference. This results is a slower, more muted and even veiled representation of the music. Until now it was understandably the only choice engineers had because there was no technology to properly "condition" electricity."

"The MC-1 Pro has a new active circuit that helps strengthen the magnetic system. This “active” magnetic system exists only in our Pro Elite power conditioners but operates a bit differently. This system helps to better center electrons and functions as if it were wired in series. A simple series of capacitors are used to help the magnets center the electrons."

"Its filtering approach is also closer to that of a traditional power conditioner. In short, the active MC-1 Pro has more magnetic power and does a much better job at cleaning the signal as well and the spinning electron wave we call power."

Look at how active is quoted. This seems to support that the capacitors fill their usual role. MC-1 Pro = a more powerful MC-0.5 combined with capacitive filtering?

"Without its active portion, the MC-1 Pro already offers up magnetic power up to Ultimate Reference levels."

I wonder what explains the big difference in price with the Ultimate Reference power cable?
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