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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
 
Theaudiotweak, Ddraudt, and Geoffkait, perhaps it is my age and long experience with trial and error improvements, but I resent the time I have to commit to dampening, coupling, demagetizing, removing static interferance, etc. Heaven knows I have done a great deal of this. I do value my limited findings, as well as the success of some companies with their efforts, such as StillPoints, Star Sound Tech, Rightway Audio, AudioTop, Essence of Music, Zilplex,TriPoint, cable charging by Synergistic Research and Exemplar, and of course, High Fidelity Cables, among others.

Carry on guys; I will always listen to demonstrations and hopefully know when there is an improvement.
theaudiotweak
2,801 posts
 
I never resent the time I spend seeking out new materials, processes, proportions and blends that enhance the directionality of my products in use with musical instruments that touch the floor. Capturing the forces of nature and placing them in a reactive device many years ago and in the previous 24 months finding a supplementary method to enhance that directionality was pretty darn cool. These methods are highly beneficial to first person real acoustic instruments used in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and carry forward to playback devices already in the audio chain. The wrong choice of material and geometry does not serve well the instrument or the musician which are all before the playback chain. That has been my experience.

I am highly respective of all the posters here and especially of the last few. I know that collectively we have as much as 150 years of audio experience. We all have had our personal encounters in and around audio and we are here to express those to all. Tom
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Theaudiotweak. Tom, I am not being critical; I'm basically expressing my frustration that we don't know enough about this to have engineering predictions of what is best. I'm tired of trial and error.
theaudiotweak
2,801 posts
 
Tbg. Norm, I new you were not being critical. The third word I used in my post happened to be the same word used by you in your post that's all. Sorry if my comments were misconstrued.

In a description of my personal experience with materials and shapes I should have placed the word frustrating where I used the word resent. I am now very happy with my current results. Tom
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
One of the most important things I've run across recently is the value of damping or isolating the toroidal transformer from the printed circuit boards and to isolate the printed circuit boards as much as possible from the rest of the chassis. Damping the capacitors is also a worthwhile endeavor. Constrained layer damping for CD transports, transformers, top plate of isolation stands, etc. has proven to be Verrry Interesting.
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