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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
lak's avatar
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lak
4,682 posts
 
Rlawry;
I have not tried that but I have spoken to others that have upgraded from the CT-1 to the CT-1E between the phone preamp to preamp. I was told there was am improvement however it's up to the individual listerner to determine if its worth the extra funding.
rlawry
485 posts
 
Lak, I did move up from a regular CT-1 to a CT-1U between my phono stage and preamp, which made a big difference, although not as big as from CT-1 to CT-1U speaker cables. I was thinking more on the lines of upgrading from a CT-1 to CT-1U on phono level signals, which in my case are 0.5mV. Thank you for the response.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Mapman, Sorry, I don't meant be cryptic but all my stuff is custom built or so severely modified that the names would not tell you anything about how it sounds. Each of us has our own tastes in sound, and as you've read, I travel to hear the best systems I can find. Last nights listening session was the best system sound I've ever experienced anywhere. By Far. It is a whole body sole emersion into each performance.
juliejoema
23 posts
 
Hello RLawry,

I found that going from Hovland MGII up to CT-1 between my tonearm and phono-pre was a huge improvement, and going from CT-1 to CT-1E was also a big jump, but not as big as going from Hovland to CT-1. I would imagine going from CT-1 to CT-1U would be a very noticeable improvement.

As posted earlier, when I went from CT-1E to CT-1U between Phono-pre and pre the improvement was much bigger than I thought possible. If I had the money, I would make the upgrade, but I'm awaiting my CT-1 speaker cables to finally make my whole system HF, so that's where my upgrade budget went (along with more LPs).

JA
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,464 posts
 
Ok so tell us about all that and why you like it then. Or not. Its up to you really. Its just continuously talking about how good wires sound without providing the whole story has limited value IMHO. It makes you sound like a shill, even if in fact you are not one.
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