Calvinj,
LOL!
But thanks for the information.
Heads up a PM coming your way from me.
LOL!
But thanks for the information.
Heads up a PM coming your way from me.
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
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
Showing 50 responses by lak
I find all this interesting reading and I understand all the views being expressed here. I agree it's very beneficial to read about how and why one product out performes another regardless if it's the same manufacturer, a step up the line or a competitor. It's not always an easy task to analyze and/or compare one item to another and it takes a lot of thought and writing ability that we don't all possess. Just my thought. Best regards... |
I would have to agree, any time I ever phoned HFCables with a question Rick and/or his wife were always extremely nice to speak with and always went above or beyond the call of duty to answer my questions and offer assistance. Interesting to note that I did not own any of their products at that time and now the only HFC product I own is a CT1U speaker cable. |
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. |
Audiolabyrinth, You best be careful taking those outlets in and out because if you do it to much you might weaken something in the outlet and cause breakage. That has happened to me, but it was probably due to the use of using 10 gauge AC wire which is difficult and very stiff to work with. 12 gauge wire probably would not be as difficult to work with. |
Audiolabyrinth, You might be correct, realistically I think I had it on my Audiodharma cable cooker for 720 hours (30 days) I was being conservative above. So far it sounds very good and there has been a consistent sound in the music. The way I look at it, the music can only sound better with additional use :-)! |
@Calvinj, My system always sounded good and when I was tempted on several occasions I tried different high end interconnects, speaker cables and power cords. I must admit the best sounding (to me) interconnects and speaker cables in my main system is the HF Ultimate that I'm using. I am enjoying the music. |
As I stated on 12/19: "My system always sounded good and when I was tempted on several occasions I tried different high end interconnects, speaker cables and power cords. I must admit the best sounding (to me) interconnects and speaker cables in my main system is the HF Ultimate that I'm using. I am enjoying the music". 12/22, I'll add to that; any HF cabling that I have purchased was either an auction here on Audiogon or a used HF product advertised here or on a competitors site. Happy Holidays to all... |
Calvinj, Thanks for the music suggestions:"Two Shade" by Gerald Clayton, "Alive" by Hiromi and "Saturday Morning" by Ahmad Jamal. I listened to a sample of them on the internet and then ordered them. I'm sure I will enjoy all three! The source I'm using is a Music Culture MC 501A CDP or my TT; Teres 340 with Verus Rim Drive, Tri-Planar Arm and ZYX UNIverse Cartridge. Rlawry, I've heard others say that the CT-1 did not work well between their turntable and phono stage. |
I don’t mean to speak poorly about any audio product and lets face it just because an audio product is expensive or inexpensive does not mean it sounds good, great or bad. I have a friend that has a very good ear for music that uses the DNM Reson interconnects and he loves them, a lot of bang for the buck and I agree. Lets face it; quite often they way any type of audio equipment sounds (power cords, interconnects, speaker cables, front-end or amp) is system dependent. With that said over the past 30 years I’ve owned and tried and demoed a lot of interconnects, speaker cables and power cords. When the CT-1 interconnect first came out (years ago from Canada) I was one of the first people to purchase two pair of interconnects. They sounded good but not better then what I was currently using therefore after 30 days I returned them for a refund. Hell no; I was not going to spend that kind of money and hear no improvement! Years later, I now own two pair of the HF CT-1U interconnect, speaker cable, and one power cord. When I find a really good deal on a used CT-1 UR interconnects I’ll probably purchase it and use it between my CDP and preamp instead of my CT-1 U because I’ve heard for myself what the HFC can do. At this point of my life the CT-1 U is the best sounding interconnect and speaker cable I have heard in my main system and I’ve been luckily enough to purchase used at a price I could afford. Believe me or choose not to believe me, I don’t care. I’m just trying to pass on some information to those that might be interested. Raks; I wish I could answer your question for you but I have not heard the CT-1 speaker cable or the Nordost Tyr speaker cables. IMO: if you liked the CT-1 interconnects then the CT-1 speaker cable might complete your loom of HFC and create better synergy. Peace out everyone and enjoy the music…that’s what this is suppose to be about :-) “Good Things In Life Take A Long Time" |
QUESTION FOR THE REGULARS THAT OWN HFC: Calvinj, Tbg, Colloway, Ddraudt or anyone else that owns the CT-1 UR Interconnect. Hello all; since there is quite a bit of weight to the CT-1 UR Interconnects. I was wondering if you let the magnet in the middle if the wire hang behind your rack or if you place it on one of the rack shelves behind your component? Thanks... |
Fplanner2000, I'm glad to hear that good news. I must say, it doesn't surprise me, Rick put some good thought into his products. We just need to keep in mind that this new technology works, but as mentioned before isn't as we currently think and takes a while to break in. Congratulations on your purchase and system ;-)! |
Jmcgrogan2, I don't know if you recall but when I first received my CT-1U speaker cables I also noticed right away a slight drop in volume with my Plinius SA Reference amp. After just now reading Fplanner2000 comment, it just dawned on me that I never noticed that after several weeks my volume also returned back to what it had originally been. I'm guessing that when you received your speaker cables you used the cleaning puddy on them as Al suggested but I'm guessing it might not help this issus, but a few weeks might. Let us know. |
Interesting: https://vimeo.com/122159622 |
Geoffkait, It's hard to remember what my initial system sounded like 44 years ago. There have been so many changes and improvements over the years. In those days we used zip cord for speaker wire. I was referring to my current system and years of experience. Sorry if my comment offended you. I believe other readers understand what I was attempting to communicate. |
LOL! My point was and still is the system sounded good, but improved as I tried various products in the area of interconnects, speaker cables and power cords. HFC isn't the holy grail but in my system HFC is the best I've listened to up to now. To say my current systems did not sound good would be a ridiculous statement for me to make. In a proven room with good acoustics, experience, and the correct selected equipment, any system should sound good. I will say that the system sounds better and is more dynamic using my Plinius Reference amp then when I was using other amps in the past. And I'm feeling just fine now. Namaste' |