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
Jazzonthehudson, Thanks for the question. The answer is not simple and photos are even harder. Can't post pics here and I'm not a camera person. And it is not photogenic (ugly mess) Perhaps I will do a thread someday on "MAD Tweaks"!
Good tweaks can be system dependent and listener specific which is one reason why manufacturers can't add or recommend tweaks. The other is that it makes their products appear " in need of help".
Hence a DIY approach. Much DYI is about low cost methods but there is another DIY that is only about the best possible sound at any cost in time or money. I live there.
"Super-isolation" stems, in part, from that and the possibility the more is better sometimes. If one isolation shelf works well,,, what would two isolation shelves sound like??… If one damping block improves the sound- how many blocks can I put on before the sound degrades? ( answer 2 to 5 blocks).
I will describe what is currently under my CD starting from the floor up. Floor-my design of cork glue and wood. then 4" x 3/4" pine plywood blocks to, Stillpoint mini's, to 18 x 21 x 2.5 inch iso shelf -then ply blocks- Stillpoint mini's- 14 x 18 x 2.5 inch iso shelf -wood ply-Stillpoint mini's- CD player. One stillpoint fits exactly underneath the center of where the CD sits while playing.
The top is off the CD player and i've added 21 damping devices inside.
ALL shelves and blocks made by Stan Goudge of Cedar Park Texas.
I hope you can see now how complex it is to describe even with most details left out. Decades of experimentation on every facet!
Pictures would help I know. I hope to work on that someday.
Enjoy the Music! D
I want to see pics myself dave, come on, a cell phone pic will do it for me, if you do, post here that you did, cheers to you dave!
" I will be adding a dac soon. I'm just doing research on them now."

Calvin, i was going to send private msg but hopefully this benefits others. Look i don`t want to harp on but seriously i`m only doing you or anyone reading this a huge favor.
PHASURE NOS1a 768kHz filterless USB DAC from the Netherlands!!
I already mentioned the `a` upgrade in my earlier post which is one of the most significant upgrades in the history of digital.
Just ask long time Audiogoner Gary Anderson(Glory) or anyone else who owns one. Funny how this is the only DAC never ever seen on the used market?
It`s also funny because it always takes so long to try convince people a properly designed SS DAC can wipe away any tubed source. Took me a whole year to convince Gary. Ask him. Now ask him how much NOS1 destroys his prior high end Lampi DAC. Gary says NOS1 made Lampi sound broken.
Try search the whole net for anyone proclaiming that properly set up NOS1/XXhighend is beaten by any other source. Good luck.
Don`t be put off by NOS1 wining blue moon award by a country mile "lonely at the top" or all the almost too good to be true talk on the net. It is true. Simple as that.
Whether it`s Meitner, Lampizator, PBD, Concert Fid, EMM labs, Esoteric or some other USB DAC etc etc. I bet nothing shoots out a cleaner signal than NOS1. Nothing else out there has the same specs design or concept. Read the Phasure site and all the endless posts. Soon common sense and logic prevails with out even hearing the thing.... then you hear it..... revolutionary!
CD is so dead. SACD was a improvement but dying.
NOS1 isn`t another typical sideways move. NOS1 is a clear jump forward well into the rosy future of digital front end audio leaving everything else in dust.
Cleanest clearest smoothest most natural dynamic signal out there with zero grain or edge or any nasties. Totally clean and neutral. Yea you heard all that before right just like me. Nup. Not like this. NOS1 is TRUE clean!
IDC who mods what or customizes this or that. Fact is no one designs or understands audio like PeterSt! You can add or change all the electronic parts you want. If the winning foundation design is not there......
This DAC is the heart and soul of any system. Get the playback source right and everything else makes so much more sense. Then there`s such a clearer picture.
Yea most of us think we got a great source. So did i. But this source is better than your source! Simple. Just take a chance on this baby(60 day money back G)and thank me later. Nothing else like it. No not no other DAC like it... no other SOURCE like it. Especially considering the price.
There is no one like PeterSt either. The guy is one hellova sic puppy! One of the nicest most helpful punctual guys in the world too.
4.5US - best buy in audio ever! You wont find one used.
To some of you guys pretending to ignore this post... did you see the 4.5K part??
I seen some guys still buying >10K CD players FFS. Which NOS1 has already way proven to easily destroy SOOTB.
This DAC is just way more significant than any 10 or 20K cable upgrade. It`s not even funny.
I dare anyone to spend some hours reading the Phasure site and not be hugely impressed or at least hugely curious.

http://www.phasure.com/index.php?board=9.0
HF URR PC further insights. Hi Friends, an adjunct to my power cord report of 6/27, with another 250 hours on the cord or 300hrs total
there is more, much more. The extension, power, silent background, speed, tone, texture, involvement, emotion all obviously improved.
I muse as beautiful music washes over me, This is so real- Wow-
how can I describe even better than amazing? It's so many little clues to give more of a sense of live. A cymbal gives off a wider range of tone and texture as I "see" the symbol tilt and float in space as it's struck. The bass drum has more power at lower notes than before and I can hear the tone and texture of the drum head much more clearly. Vocals sweet organic breath floating effortlessly in the air. Tunes we enjoyed were so improved they sounded like different music performed by more talented folk. Stringed instruments sing like never before and I can hear the materials used to build them like they were in my lap. Much harder to listen without getting lost in the music.
I hope YOU are enjoying music! D

I just read the review of the Phasure Dac and while it sounds good I must admit I'm getting a bit old to start again with yet another music source , I also think its ironic that as we get on in years and can afford to get better and better equipment our hearing capabilities diminish proportionately ..... now , back to my CT1's allowing me to enjoy a 10 year old cd -:)