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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
johnp
22 posts
 
Lak,
I haven't tried the HF power cable on my phono-pre or the amps but I have done these type of comparisons with other power cords. The biggest improvement came at the phono-pre and the DAC. The DAC and phono-pre are more sensitive to noise because the audio signal is relatively low in these devices so if you can lower the noise going into them, the signal-to-noise ratio improves. Anyway, I think this would also be true for the HF power cable.

John
ketcham
92 posts
 
My experience is the source or dac if you run digital. I favor dac over source, myself.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Fluffers, congrats on the two Ultimate IC's!. Break in time is funny with the HF Magnetic cables. Because Magnetic conduction is different and because it requires time to permeate the equipment hooked up, Some
HFCables start out sounding not good. Some HFCables will sound good (or better) in a few hours other will take several days. This is regardless of if they are used in another system or not, because the equipment goes thru changes as well. Depending on the overall sensitivity of your system, you could hear improvements for 2 weeks to a month of playtime. (yes 600 hrs.)
I agree with TBG that the don't like being moved and it can take a day to settle after moving them. ALSO they do respond to isolation, damping and shielding methods, if your into that.
I think Calvinj is right with his order of most effect but I would add
1. that some level of HFCables sound better faster than others.
(UR power cord sounded good very fast- faster than URR PC)
2. Since every point in the chain makes a big improvement, no HF speaker cables will limit the sound.
3.Good if you can enjoy your new improvements for a while before
the next step. The Ultimate stuff is truly AMAZING!!!
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Lak, I think you can use the same thinking as others have suggested
on the power cord placement with a HFCable Power cord.
Like Tbg, I use one on my HFC power filter/distribution center and it reaches several components that way so it makes the most difference.. If you have some kind of power center you could try it there. The magnetic power filter I have from HFC is better than one could imagine.
High Fidelity's magnetic power cables are much superior in low level retrieval than conventional pc's, so they should help a lot with low level signals…. However…. what they do for the power and dynamics and purity of power amps is astounding!!!
Enjoy!!!
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
JUST GOT IN MT 3RD HFCABLES-URR POWER CORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so excited to have another of these ridiculously superior power cords. I have three places to try it so we will see what happens.
Cheers D
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