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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
juliejoema
23 posts
 
Re: Phono Cables

I don't have a current HFC phono cable, but I do have one of the first phono cables Rick made with the conductor used in the current CT-1E and CT-1U. It uses an older VD UltraClear connector, and without shielding, so the newer CT-1E would apparently be a significant improvement. But...

I had previously used a Hovland MGII Rca-Rca phono cable with my RS Labs arm. I had found the MGII cable to be significantly better than any other cable I had tried (albeit not with any >$1000 cables). When I put in the 'prototype' CT-1 phono cable the difference was incredibly noticeable. More weight, more detail, more realistic, a greater ability to appreciate the music, and more emotion coming through the music. So I found the 'test version' of the CT-1 to be much better than the MGII, and the new connector should make an even bigger difference with a 'real' CT-1E phono.

I am hoping to get a non-shielded CT-1E phono cable (Darn those RS Labs tonearms that just rest on the armboard, so the cables can't be stiff!), so I can report back later.

JA
aoliviero
269 posts
 
Thanks JA. Why would one want an unshielded phono cable?

Andrew
mtrot
804 posts
 
OK, I've had the CT-1 for almost a week now, and I have to say, it's almost like there is some sort of chicanery going on with this product! How can a cable be so far superior to other(fairly expensive) cables? How could it be that, after 40 or 50 years of R&D in the cable "industry", nobody has come up with a reasonably priced cable that approaches this?

What I am hearing is not just incrementally better than my previous interconnects, but far better. I know it's a widely used cliche, but it IS like a veil has been removed from the music. It is mainly the mids and low frequencies in which I hear the most difference. Vocals are so clear and natural sounding, and when there are multiple vocals simultaneously, you can easily hear each one's part. Attack on drums and stringed instruments is immediate and seems to be more impactful. I also seem to have more bass impact and definition. Finally, the overall dynamics of the system seem to be greater.

Again, the only area I'm not sure about yet is the high frequencies. I need to do some more listening with high quality sources, and try to get a better feel for what the cables are doing with HFs.

Are they worth $1600? I don't know yet, since I have not listened to other high dollar ICs, but, as I said, the difference between these and my prior ICs is marked. If you amortize the cost of a set of the CT-1s over 10 years or so, maybe one can look at them somewhat similarly to how one evaluates spending thousands of dollars on an amp or other component.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Juliejoema, what do the normal HF phono cables look like? Are they just like the CT-1 Enhanced. I take it they do not have a DIN plug.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mtrot, yours are exactly my initial impressions of the HF CT-1s. I have since heard others say the same thing. Then I put the HF CT-1 Enhanced on. What is better than superlative? Clearly, for me at least, if the Ultimates are better yet, my music reproduction will have reached total realism.

Ultimately, I recall many instance where I would have said the same thing only to discover better yet components. But these cables are truly shocking and with no silver or copper, no long linear crystals, thick bulk, no golden spades or plugs.
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