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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
leicachamp
103 posts
 
I should clarify that only 1 of the plugs was very very loose. The other plugs range from slightly loose to normal fit. None are as tight as my ct1 or ct1e cables.

Rick has replied that this is normal for the ultimates because the cable burner they use has cardas connectors which are after than usual. The ultimates are burned using these cardas plugs, thus making the ultimates loose.

To me it makes no sense for I have been using my ct1 for over 7 months now on numerous machines and they still a bitch to plug in and out. Also on dagago or stereotimes review, it states the ultimates fit the same as ct1 and ct1e cables.

I assumed part of the magic on the ct1 cables was how tight the able fits into sockets. They are hellish to install and more so to remove, but at least I know it is making maximum contact.

On a side question, does how tight a cable fits influence the way it sounds?

My cables had a few more quality control issues, which I won't go into here. Not really acceptable on a 5k cable. Rick agreed and is making up another pair personally. But he is not replacing both sets , for he says the looser fitting plugs are normal and that I should use a small screw driver to force the RCA tighter!!!! I do not and should not be made to do this on a 5 k cable. What happens if I damage the cable! How do I ensure I am doing it right!

I should note that I have/ or used 4 sets of HF cables and have never had any QC problems before, except the terrible fitting banana plugs on the speaker cables.

Anyway. I wait until I receive the new pair.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Leicachamp, I do know that the hot pins on RCA plugs in the various HFC series differ. I have had some variation in how difficult it is to insert HFC cables on components, but none have been so loose as to not make contact. I guess the question I have is whether the hot pin is loose or whether the ground ring is loose. In the past, I have had RCAs that had ground ring get too loose. I had solid copper RCAs that constantly needed this.
agisthos
504 posts
 
I have had various CT-1, CT-1E and CT-1U interconnects and digital cables. They were all tight as fuk
calloway
874 posts
 
The HF UR Ultimate Reference powercord arrived yesterday afternoon and i had a chance to take an early listen last night for a couple of hrs. What struck me initially was how fast and tight the bass / transients are.It will need a couple of hundred hrs to fully open up. I can't wait to listen more tonight. It has been running all day.I have it connected to my Lumin Music Player.I have a $3K powercord on it currently that is great.The workmanship on the cable is superb.The container/case is great.One of the designers of my SET amps was over also and he could not believe the immediate improvement it made.STAY TUNED.
calloway
874 posts
 
Update on the HF UR power cord:..now 3rd day listening. last night the sound was a little bright but this after only 2 hrs of listening the night before. today it has opened up considerably and the sound is rich and neutral..not bright at all.the transients are so fast. on PB's 'Constantinople' on her Modern Cool DSD album the bongos and cymbals and drum sticks are so much better identified with each and every strike...so clear and so real and 'right there'. PBs voice just hangs in the background with such realism.Pretty cool.soundstage has opened up and has become so 3-dimentional...stay tuned.
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