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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
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lak
4,636 posts
 
Calvinj; thanks for the compliment, I've been working with different high end systems for at least 18 years and the two posted systems is what I currently am enjoying. Please feel free to email me through Audiogon and tell me about your present system.

Jmcgrogan2; I'm using the HF speaker cable CT1U in "Lak's Music Room 2014". I picked them up used a few weeks ago. I meant to mention it when we were communicating about power cords but as you could probably tell I have not had much time to be on the computer.

Ddraudt: thanks for your suggestions. The isolation transformers actually sit on three 1 1/2" solid brass audio points that are on top of the cinder blocks and the cinder blocks rest on top of three hockey pucks that are on the concrete floor.
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ddraudt
609 posts
 
Lak, Audiopoints are great and pucks will do some needed isolation from concrete floor. In my system, the wood gives it a better, more natural sound. I also use 12 lb Damping blocks on transformers with good results. Happy to hear that you are auditioning the UR speaker cable. For me it was a huge jump from the Enhanced. I'm selling my 9 foot set of Ultimates to help pay for my UR's which are again, Shockingly superior (as Tbg says). ;-) D
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Johnbstiuu, in my small room in New Mexico, I used my only HFC URR pc into a special power strip with Hubble duplexes and had every component plugged into it. It was better than having only the amp with the HFC URR on it. But earlier when I first got one HFC URR, I plugged it into the wall and into the HFC waveguide power center. That improvement was a sensational improvement in the sound. Later I got three more HFC URR pcs and each added a great improvement on whatever device it was on.

I think that were you to have a fine power strip you would get a big improvement adding a HFC URR pc but would get ever increasing sound with the addition of more URRs.
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sabai
2,027 posts
 
Mrmb,

I agree that there seems to be an attempt to constrain comments on this thread -- coming from members with questionable "credentials". In the past, I have been enthusiastic about cables from Synergistic Research, Grover Huffman and HiDiamond. My opinions changed when my experience broadened.

Everything depends on system synergy. There is no Magic Audio Bullet no matter what anyone says with all the enthusiasm they can muster. I now use David Elrod cables, Shunyata cables and my own DIY cables to create the necessary synergy in my system that has taken over 8 years to develop. System synergy depends on many factors: the right components, the right cables and the right room treatments. System synergy does not simply depend on the right cables.

Disclosure:

I was involved in an unfortunate transaction with Rik Schultz that came down to a matter of integrity. Nevertheless, he may indeed make very good cables. I have not yet tried them.

Disclosure:

I was partnered with another cable maker at the time of the above-mentioned transaction in a project that involved developing magnetic cables. I have been making my own magnetic cables for years. They are very nice cables. Are they the Holy Grail? No, they are not.
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