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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
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Fplanner2000, I'm sorry but I don't think you are 60% broken in. I have over a thousand and just experienced a big improvement, that I initially thought was on a preamp I'm using. When I went back to my old preamp I discovered that it too had greatly improved. Nothing else was changed in the system. I have never experienced something like the HFC Ultimates. I really wouldn't be surprised if a year from now I experience a further breakin improvement.

I once was told that Lowther drivers take six years to breakin. I can believe it as two years were clearly not enough.
agisthos
459 posts
 
How long did you think the Ultimate Interconnects take to break in? The interconnects have a magnetic module that is way smaller than what is found on the Ultimate speaker cables.

I'm presuming the size of that module is what accounts for the extended break in. In my experience the standard CT-1 and CT-1E are fairly quick to break in.

The 'in development' power conditioner also uses those very large modules like on the speaker cables, and it also apparently takes a long time to reach potential.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Agisthos, that is a worthy hypothesis. I guess you would need to ask Rick whether that was true.
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
I know the floor magnetic devices on the Ultimate Reference speaker cables are considerably larger and heavier than those on the Ultimate. I am happy to finally be at the point where they sound really nice(close to 300 hrs), knowing full well there's probably lots more breakin in front of me. Somebody's got to do it, right?

Most impressive so far are the bass, the bass, the bass, the speed and the detail. It seems like the resolution gets a bit better every time I turn the system on. This is definitely the "fun" part of breakin. :-)
yo2tup's avatar
yo2tup
47 posts
 
I'm borrowing a pair of the CT-1 Ultimate interconnect and have had them in my system for a couple weeks now. It seems like I'm the only one that very impressed by them? Do they need more time to open up?
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