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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
 
Travbrow, You ask, "Wouldn't it be a shame to get caught up in the cable game thinking its so important from reading hyperbole on the net and neglect the things that matter more?" One would alway be a fool to pay much attention to what others, who you don't know, have to say.

You also suggest that a "top quality integrate amp" would be best. Of course, but one of this quality is hard to fine. Also in all probability none can rival the best line stage with the best amps.

All that I can advise you is to avoid listening to the HFCables and power cords.

Anyone who does optimize their speakers and who expects much will always be dissatisfied. I have at last found a room treatment that really works. This is after trying probably 20 different ones. I have also owned 27 different speaker systems.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Geoffkait, CD treatments. I've played with many CD cleaners over the years
moving on to better and better results. The best one IMHO is Essence of Music used in a 3 step cleaning procedure. Amazing inner detail.
For demagnification I've found the (now out of production) HIFI tuning damage unit with 4 times the demag capabilities of other devices. Many steps closer to real. (available from china now but 220V)
The best CD mat I find is the Marigo Audio Labs "Ultima Signature Mat"
Layers of additional information. I use a Sharpie Black paint pen to darken the edges and the center edge of the disc to reduce noise from laser light bounce inside the CD. much quieter cleaner sound.
Most of my CD's have edge cut at angles to reduce internal reflection but the newer ones have not been done yet.
With the advent of Ricks Magnetic items from High Fidelity gear I have so much more realistic and micro detailed music that test become much easier to hear. I know from experience that some of the tweaks I use will not show improvement in basic systems ( under $10K ) but have immediate and profound effects on $25K and up systems. So not for everybody.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,381 posts
 
Shame to think of all those really good really expensive high end systems that according to the will never reach their full potential without magnetic conduction. There is always something better, no matter what one has.

Its the audiophile curse. Like vampires are cursed to crave blood, audiophiles may be cursed to always make their system better. As opposed to music lovers that are probably more likely to be satisfied at some point.

Its a tough job but somebodies got to do it. :^)
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Ddraudt - thanks for comments. I've been using tweaks on CD since Christ was a Lieutenant. Among the ones currently in use are Essence of Music (surprise! Lol), Super Intelligent chip, Walker Talisman degausser, Dark Matter invisible infrared light absorber (recall most of the scattered laser light is in the infrared region), Cream Electret from the Belts, my Particle Accelerator Tourmaline Gun ionizer for CDs and cables and last but not least CD coloring kit that uses turquoise green for outer edge, black for inner edge only (black usually degrades the sound used anywhere else) and Multi Colored dots of color on the data side near the spindle hole.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Geoffkait, as you know I've have been down the path to virtually every tweak as I think I must have been one of the first the try your Teleport tweak.

Now with my dependence on a music server and playing double DSD for everything from cd ripped to it to double DSD recorded music. I use a special TEAC optical reader to bridge the act of ripping. I can say several things about what I observe using this reader.

First is that my FIM cd mat doesn't work on the TEAC. The transport accelerates so fast that the mat loses it contact with the cd. Second although I have an AudioDesk cd trimmer and had found that trimming on both sides is better than on one side, and that painting the edge with either green or black worked, all of this is lost when I am ripping to the hard drive. I also own a Nespa light treatment that also had a effect when I used cd players, but not with a music server. I will also note that the ESata cables from the transport to the raid drive great affect the information on the hard drive and from it to the dac.
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