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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
lak's avatar
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lak
4,681 posts
 
Jmcgrogan2,
I didn't realize you had a problem with the second pair of CT-1's.
What happened?
You might want to give HFC a phone call to find out what the heck is going on with the repair. They have always been fast to answer my questions on the phone but I must admit I have never emailed them.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,429 posts
 
"On the other hand they work!"

Its not hard to make wires that work. Even I could do it. Wire hangers work. That's the thing about wires, if it conducts electricity, it works.

Making wires worth thousands of dollars, now that's quite the trick in my mind. :-)
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,429 posts
 
Tbg,

Why do you oppose peoples right to challenge what at least appears to be in question?

All DD has to do is say he is not financially affiliated with the maker when asked. HE has decided to not do that repeatedly when asked. If he is, obviously his enthusiasm might be biased and others might not share it. It just does not look good, whatever the truth. Unfortunately, perceptions often matter as much if not more than reality. So it is important to address peoples perceptions, especially if negative for whatever reason.

The ultimate sound is not the only thing that matters in the world, even in these parts.
rlawry
485 posts
 
I am not sure if HF cables behave similarly as some carbon nanotube Bybee filter cables I have, but have spoken to the designer about these.

I do know that for every current flow in a conductor there is an associated electric field and a magnetic field oriented at a right angle to the electric field. It is by manipulating either the electric field or magnetic field that current flow is altered. This phenomenon is well-known and it doesn't take much incredulity to believe that you can change current flow through the use of magnets. The trick that Rick has obviously found is through the orientation of the magnets to affect the current. Others have tried this effect with varying results, either by not affecting the current flow enough to produce a change in sound, or by magnetizing the cables over time to reduce the effect and the resultant sound improvement.

It is also well-known that electrons are normally found in pairs, each pair consisting of electrons having opposite spins, one of spin up and one of spin down. These packets of electrons are known as Cooper's Pairs of electrons. However, in current flow, some stray electrons are passed that are not in these packets. The designer of the Bybee Filter cables claims that the carbon nanotubes pass only Cooper's Pairs of electrons, thereby improving current flow. I suspect, but do not know of a surety, that manipulating the magnetic field would also reduce stray electrons and improve current flow. You can imagine that if you can manipulate and improve current flow that you could change the sound produced by a conductor.

Anyway, sorry for the technical lingo, but my attempt to explain what might be happening here on a quantum level. I wish I had stayed awake more in a quantum mechanics class I took in college. Whatever the explanation, I am quite taken by the sound of these cables once they have broken in.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,429 posts
 
As I stated up front in my first post, the relationship between electricity and magnetism is well documented so I have no doubt changes to one will affect the other. HEnce My interest in the design concept behind the product.

The questions will be of course the magnitude of the effect and the nature of the effect in terms of how it changes the sound in addition to merely the magnitude of the change.

The value proposition is a pure individual judgement call.

Does the vendor offer any money back guarantees with the product? That's all that is needed to address any risk that a prospective buyer might incur dropping thousands into any product with promise where results may vary or not be totally assured up front.

Saying you can't judge it without trying it sounds like a cheap sales ploy otherwise. Most people cannot try it without risk otherwise. If one merely acknowledges and addresses the risks (Present with any expensive endeavor) rather than mere shilling on the perceived benefits) credibility would go way up I would expect.
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