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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
So in the interest of fair discussion, I have no doubt these are "innovative" and very unique wires. That alone says something

THe question for me is always value. What are the options and how do they compare? Which offer high value.

For example, I currently use DNM Reson ICs, which I think are the cat's meow when things are going right. They also use a fairly different and innovative design, and can be had for much less. THey are unshielded, so sometime that alone can be a challenge. But I have managed to get excellent performance out of these, with a few inexpensive tweaks, even with my low output phono setup.

Has anyone compared the HF wires to DNM Reson? I would be interested in hearing observations.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Sabai wrote,

"Because the physical carrier of the signal has mass."

The carrier is either copper or silver and usually of high purity, therefore not magnetize-able. Nice try.
calvinj
2,317 posts
 
@tbg@ddraudt@jazzonthehudson. I have been guilty of always switching cables in and out. Rick asked me to keep the cables in so they can settle. The system is really starting to open up even more. More fuller I have not moved the cables out of the system for a week straight. I been playing my system a lot. I think the resonessence dac and the high fidelity ultimate reference is a perfect match. The system has more heard room the more I let it play. I'm listening to hailey Loren. She is an excellent female vocalist with a great band and really good material. I was just told by my dealer that my mirus dac just arrived from Canada just now. I will pick it up today to listen to it and start breaking it in. I can give him the loaner back now. I think it's going to take a couple of weeks to burn it in. The voices with this dac and the high fidelity ultimate reference cables sound lovely. Lol. I'm going to try to pick it up tonight. I'm pretty amazed with sound and no pre amp in the chain at all. I'm going to do some tweaks and see if I can get it better. I don't know how it measures but it SOUNDS GREAT!!!!! Lol. @ddraudt did you hear Kendrick Scott Oracle "Cycling into Reality" song on his "Conviction" album. There is a live performance of him doing it on youtube. The guy is an amazing percussionist.
theaudiotweak
2,797 posts
 
If you took the time to read Ricks patents you would learn that he describes the use of an alloy that is ferro magnetic as a key conductive ingredient not the 2 materials you mentioned. The CT-1 conductor is made from highly permeable alloy that, once attached to the connectors, becomes fully magnetized. Nice try Geoff...Tom
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
I've read HF wires are not copper or silver but rather a custom alloy of some sort, possibly similar to Mu Metal.
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