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
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.
juliejoema
23 posts
 
Re: Unshielded Phono

I need an unshielded CT-1(E) cable since the RS-Labs tonearm just rests on a blue polymer pad, it is not bolted/fastened to an armboard. For this reason, if you have heavy cables or stiff cables the cables can (sometimes due to stray fingers or hands) cause the RS-Labs tonearm to flip off the armboard and onto the floor. This happened with another, even earlier 'prototype CT-1' cable.

Ideally I would have a shielded phono cable, but since my turntable is in the basement, I have not had any RF noise issues. With any other tonearm, I would definitely get a CT-1E phono cable, shielding and all.

Truly,

JA
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Juliejoema, your vinyl setup sounds like a pain. At least you can use the HF phono cables. My BMC MCCI phono requires balanced inputs. So it is a pain in another circumstance.

The CT-1Es are exceptional but have flummoxed my use of tweaks. Gradually I am removing all as harmful to the sound stage and resolution of the Enchanced cables. Until last night I thought this was limited to interconnects and speaker cables and speakers. But the ac system is also a problem. One nice device in my prior system just fails with the HF cables in my system at least. Also they are causing me to reevaluate preamps, and amps.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Tbg,
I am curious, how are these cables causing such a change?
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Charles1dad, the easiest thing I can say is that the soundstage and musical content is not as realistic. I think the micro-detail that comes through with the HF cables is distorted. It is not a great difference, but the magic is gone. I noticed it most with one familiar recording, Dave Brubecks Time Out. This is one of my SACDs that are now on my music server as a DSD file. Without the tweaks and the ac filtering, the soundstage on Take Five was just totally striking and like I was their save for the running up of the volume on the drums in that part where Morello does a solo. The effect is evident on all the cuts I have listened to.

I just think these cables are a new technology which has invalidated many of our prior judgments.
More to discover