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
I think what Charles says rings true with any cable for that matter. No matter what people think cables are a tuning tool and what is stellar in YOUR SYSTEM may just be so so in another system.
I have tried HFC cables in a few systems now. Their strengths are they just let the signal come through with the least distortion and coloration compared to other cables.

So keeping this in mind, my experience has been to start upstream at the source - as once the signal information is lost here you cannot get it back down the chain. As a digital cable the HFC is just awesome, as well as phono or DAC to pre.

I would get the speaker cables last. This is not to say the speaker cables do not have a big effect, in fact once the rest of the system is HFC wired the speaker cables can have the most dramatic impact on the sound, but this is due to the upstream signal finally coming through with such clarity.

I would also suggest to start with the CT-1E series for interconnects and phono cables. With a good systems it is a very large jump over the CT-1. Considering the retail price increase of only $1600 to $2800 it is worth making the jump. Many cable companies would price such a jump in performance at 5-10k.

But to truly appreciate the range above CT-1 you need a decent system. For example a cheap source and integrated amplifier will barely see a performance leap from CT-1 to CT-1E but in a good system it can be huge.

The negatives of the HFC line in general is they do not color/tailor the sound and for some systems this is actually needed and preferred.
Not at all amazing. They are excellent cables. It is also true, as well put above, the more resolving your system is, the more you will hear the differences between the cable levels. You would think this to be common sense, but some of the comments on this thread and others make me wonder some times. :-)