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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
 
Nglazer, I tried the dac to linestage first and linestage to amps second. I thought the line to amp made the biggest improvement.

For the first hour or two they will sound great, then they go south for a day, only to come back much better. After about three day, they will pretty much stabilize but will gradually improve. If you move them at all, it will take at least three hours for them to come back. Make sure you have them on fully and make sure the wave guides are not touching each other. A blow in card works fine to keep them separated. Don't treat the connectors with anything. They already are.
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
I would definitely try your source to preamp FIRST. That worked best for me, laying the foundation upon which the other cables built upon.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Tbg, glad to hear your impressions of the UR-WGPC. I believe we are fortunate to get to experience Ricks new gem.
your statement-" I sat in awe most of the remaining evening and hesitated to go to bed. " describes my experience of many nights this week. I am having to develop a new understanding of music reproduction and struggle to get my head around my systems current presentation.

I have 150 hrs on the box right now so I don't know how the break in will go but it is already to good to fathom. Way more than my all Ultimate cable system without "the box".

The WGPC box is designed with purposeful stress and tension to help pass vibration out of the box so cone feet should help.
I am experimenting replacing the metal stand with small isolation table and
Cerabase feet which use ceramic ball bearings as the touch point. In my system, they work better than all the many cones I have tried.
BUT.. In order for the vibration transfer to work effectively... I used screws to increase the stress between the waveguide stand and the bottom of the box.
The screws made it sound 6db louder.
If the preceding paragraph doesn't make sense, you may ignore or contact me for the longer explanation.
chris_launder
66 posts
 
Tbg , I'm running an Audio Research Ref 150 power amp which is balanced input only , so no choice in that respect . I suspect that when the balanced version of the CT1 does become available that the result of being able to run the CT1's from source to speaker will be worth the wait -:) , also , I have been lead to believe that unless a component is fully balanced from input stage to output stage then there is no discernible advantage to running balanced or single ended over short runs , unless you consider the ease of changing cables -:)
chris_launder
66 posts
 
Nglazer , I concur with Tbg , the biggest initial difference that I found was between cd player and line stage , so closer to the source seems to be the way to go , at least as starters .
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