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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
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Calvinj, love your descriptions of the HF UR stuff! I know exactly what you are talking about, I've tried tons of gear over the decades and NOTHING has EVER amazed me more!!! Yes, the sound floats effortlessly out of nowhere, with amazing naturalness, speed and power.
I too know Nirvana!

I love batteries and have many in my system. I do a lot of damping, shielding and isolating my batteries as well as custom upgraded "bybee music rails" to reduce battery induced noise. After that…."SWEET"!!!
D
chris_launder
66 posts
 

I have been following this thread almost since inception but don't believe I have chimed in as yet . I think my 1st venture into cables was some Tocord speaker cable in the late 70's , progressing through early Monster cable , Audio Research Litzwire etc etc etc for about thirty or so years . A couple of years ago I tried CT1's between my CD player ( a Unison Research Unico ) and my preamp ( ARC LS27 ) , swapping over from Harmonic Tech MagicLink 2's , which I consider an excellent cable . A relative was doing some domestic stuff in the kitchen and they stopped and said ' what's different with the system ' ? , I'm trying some different interconnects , I said . How much are they ? , 'Well , I replied , to re-cable the system I would have to sell my aging BMW ' . Do it ! , they replied . and I did .
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Chris_launder, apocryphal or not, this is much like my experiences with the HFC gear. It is really something when one has a $1790 dac with $6900 ics and a $13,575 pc and loving it.

I am at my small home in the mountains of New Mexico with $2200 speakers, $1000 speaker stands, basically worthless H-Cat amp and preamp, two discontinued Stillpoints component stands with pipes to make a rack, 5 Exemplar Audio Portal pcs, and a 10 x 13 x 10 listening room along with 1 HFC URR pc, a pair of HFC UR speaker wires, and 2 pairs of HFC UR ics. My source is a new Empirical Audio Legacy music servers with about a T bite of cds, and DSD files from sacds all playing in double DSD. I would say this is a very mixed bag.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Chris_launder, I enjoyed you post, nice story- thanks!
I've been selling all I can for years to get more and better HF Cables.
I've got all UR series in my system now and have all levels of HF stuff to move out.
Enjoy the music!
D
chris_launder
66 posts
 
@Tbg , if that combo works , then enjoy . I bet you have some great views from your listening room . Inexpensive speakers connected to some great stuff downstream can really sing , I've had the experience myself . During one of my ' lets simplify and downsize ' stages I was running the original Thiel SCS speakers in piano black hooked up to an ARC CA50 integrated and a VPI TNT , sometimes I wish I had stopped right there and spent the money on vinyl and seeing the world .
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