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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
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).
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Great sharing- Thanks fellows. I'd like to hint that there is much to be gained
with positioning and treatment of the waveguides. Especially the speaker cable with waveguides. If your into that tweaking thing. Each of my HF UR SC waveguides has a 15-17 piece system of vibration transfer, isolation, and damping, as well as shielding from RF/IF. (Tweaking is a longtime hobby of mine). My experience tells me that a happy waveguide is isolated from floor and airborne vibrations, static electricity, It's own vibrations, magnetic and radio frequency interference. With breathtaking results..BREATHTAKING!!!
I've been listening to beautiful music all day! ;-) D
calvinj
2,479 posts
 
@raks@rlawry@ddraudt@jazzonthehudson@lak. Do you guys find that the music moves faster with the high fidelity in the equation. They seemed to be quicker. I went to friends and got a power cable and substituted it in for a while and the music lost prat. What are your experiences.
rlawry
485 posts
 
Calvinj, I have an ambiguous answer to your question. There is no doubt that these cables result in music that is much faster, more dynamic, and easier to hear details such as finger plucks on guitars, voices, drums, hi-hats, etc. However, when my system warms up after a few minutes, music sounds so much more real and time seems to slow down. I find myself mesmerized by music, even when listening to crappy recordings, of which I listen frequently. I am not thrilled by great sound and lousy performances like that found on many "audiophile" recordings. Dunno if I answered your question but there it is.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
good question and answer guys, Friend and I were listening to High Fidelity Cables in our systems and commenting that there seems to be stuff going on the is not within audio terms. Some sense of joy and a rightness to the world that we had not experienced without HF cables. A level of intimacy not possible before HFC. A total lack of added tone or coloration and a noise floor of less than zero that allow subtle clues like airspace and shape to be added to the texture of the performance. Yes the pace and speed are no longer effected by the many negative issues of electrical conduction so HF are closer to perfection. The awesome rightness of the sound causes me to let hours drift away in blissful musical flight.
So, pretty good then... D
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