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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
 
Wow great descriptions if High Fidelity gear! Thanks!! I agree with Mapman that they are useful posts. So good to see many positive experiences today. These dramatic shifts in playback resolution and realness Is why I've been so wildly enthusiastic. Never heard anything so amazing in audio. I've been listening to music since the 1950's and been a serious audiophile since 1980. Building systems with maximum sound for minimum money. Audio reviewers compared my $35K system to mid six figure systems. Decades of DIY HI End work and ultra tweaking got me impressive system sound. Best i'd heard until High Fidelity came along and changed audio as we know it. I became insanely awed by this new world in audio so price did not matter anymore. Sure it was a struggle to spend thousands where I used to spend hundreds but
I'm so happy and thrilled every day I don't mind spending 70% of my income on it. Do I sound like an audiohaulic? I am, and High Fidelity Cables are the sweet sweet candy that I crave. Caution: High Fidelity cables may be habit forming... ;-) enjoy the music!! DD.
calvinj
2,288 posts
 
@raks I haven't had the Nordost Tyr speaker cables but I have owned the Nordost Tyr interconnects and I changed from them into a high fidelity interconnect. I will tell you that I thought the Nordost Tyr were pretty good but when I pu the high fidelity in it sounded like a veil had been lifted. I thought the Tyr had a little deeper bass but the midrange and highs were not even close to the high fidelity ct-1. I thought both were fast but the ct1 had a quiter background with better starting and stopping. The decay on the Nordost was good but I thought the decay on the ct1 was special on cymbals. The ct1 had more of a live sound without being bright. The Nordost sounded like a very very good recording. I liked both but the ct1 was better because of the quiet backgrounds and the upper midrange and lower treble. That particular area was exceptional to me. It is where the voices are. It is where a lot of the strings and pianos are. The initial strikes of instruments a clear and impactful. The Nordost had a little more body and weight but not by much. However, the higher level high fidelity closes the gap completely. The high fidelity will give you a more live immediate sound. The other thing is to be patient doing the a & b comparisons. I used to do that like crazy and I had to get off the merry go round. Be patient sip the wine don't guzzle it like Kool Aid. Play multiple cds and different types of music to evaluate what the cable is doing and what it sounds like. Enjoy and remember. Don't talk just listen. Lol. Enjoy your music and your system.
calvinj
2,288 posts
 
@lak. I feel the same way you do. I was on the cable merry go round for about 4 years straight. I have have stayed with high fidelity longer than any others. I don't see myself changing that part of my system. I'm listening to a quartet as I'm writing this. The speed, space and the decay of these cymbals are blowing my mind. The natural openness is great because I used to associate open with being bright but this is not the case with the high fidelity ultimates. It's moving from instrument to instrument in an effortless way. Right now all four guys are playing and you hear all of them in proper space, timing and decay. Even when the musicians emphasize a particular note. It stands out starts and stops just right.
calvinj
2,288 posts
 
@rlawry. I agree with you on the body and weight coming back after they are left in and they are played for a while. I'm listening to an amazing album that a buddy of mine turned me on to called "The Artistry". It is an absolute must if you like quartet jazz. It is smooth but lively at the same time. The musical arrangements and the segways in the songs are on point. They slow down and speed up all in a unique transition that is just intoxicating,natural and effortless. Enjoy.
jazzonthehudson's avatar
jazzonthehudson
277 posts
 
+2 Rlawry: spot on description! I started with the CT1 IC which was, as also described in my systems page, a no brainer upgrade from my NordOst Valhalla IC and I have been somewhat hooked to HFC since then with upgrades, now having a full loom CT1-U and that is where my addiction stops.

For years I have tried "giant-killers" but all of them that I have tried (in my systems) have some kind of deficiency. Even less affordable ones like NordOst is far from balanced: as we know, their Valhallas are very fast and detailed but lacking upper bass and certainly sounding (too) lean if you have a bunch of them (again, YMMV). So I was very skeptical before going back to the full loom (had HiDiamond D8 SC before), the CT1U SC are still burning in so no final verdict.

I would say the IC and digital cable are the most obvious upgrades.

On the other hand I agree that there should be a sound relationship of the values of cabling and other components (indeed, I regard cables for a while as components because they act like one and (improve) sound like one).
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