High Fidelity CT-1 vs Teo Audio liquid cable

Any more Teo users out there? Plz post!

That`s great Essoteric. What is your other IC?
Good description. I know exactly what you mean. I feel very much the same as yourself. Glad I could help. However I would not quite abandon all interest in the High Fidelity CT-1E in the future. Still intent on trying one as soon as they are available in XLR although I don`t really feel much anticipation as I am just that happy with Teo. Until then I am off the merry-go-round and thoroughly enjoying my system like never before. I am now positive the Teo MKII is really delivering as the crucial all important link between my DAC and amps better than any other IC to date.
I feel completely confident to put the Teo up against anything in a second but like Essoteric, I just don`t really care anymore.
Very happy and confident with my cables, over a long period, for the first time ever.
Well done Teo and thank you Taras again for everything.

Unfortunately I can`t audition the High fidelity CT-1E for some time, about 12 months apparently, as my system only uses XLR now. However I did indeed receive the Teo STD MkII last year and have since sold CT-1.
I have sold all my tube gear,digital gear,TT, and will not even consider a preamp or buffer now since I have my new computer/DAC front end.
It is PeterST`s best effort package Phasure NOS1 768kHz filterless DAC and XXHighend 6moons computer and XXhighend software from the Netherlands.
Recently won 6moons blue moon award and is now 6moons reference front end "lonely at the top" I just knew it would be.
I believe this could be a serious contender for best - most accurate live natural dynamic - source in the mainstream market today analogue or digital. I was shocked how this front end taught me the truth about tubes/tube gear. I was formerly quite a tube fan. Believe it or not.
Here is 6moons link if interested
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/xxhighend/1.html
I have never ever felt more compelled to present a review or state a recommendation. Shall do soon.
This front end is quite different than anything else on the market and I truly believe the future in DAC/front end technology and FINALLY a digital computer based front end to absolutely eliminate the need for TT tubes or preamp.
Only negative is a bit difficult to get used to if not very much accustomed to computers... bit like myself unfortunately.
If anyone is interested in more info feel free to ask.
Sorry about this whole side note I simply couldn`t help myself.
I could elaborate forever. This thing is THAT THAT good!!!!

Ok back to topic -

IMO Teo MkII now pretty much has all the strengths of CT-1(especially top end detail) but also more of that undeniable Teo organic texture tone weight and incredibly natural timbre which all now sounds somehow more accurate live.
This Teo MkII IC is a perfect match for the rest of my accurate neutral SS system. NOS1 and Teo = match made in heaven IMO.
This is now, so far, my favorite IC of all time.

Tbg, if you read my review it is pretty clear how I used CT-1 back then.
I will elaborate in this post though.
You simply did not like Teo! Really? Well that has to be a first?
I could understand someone saying they prefer a different "flavor" or simply prefer one to the other in some way but at this level simply to state you don`t like Teo at all is a bit unusual and I believe would have to be somehow premature.

Any one else out there that actually has good experience with Teo audio who simply does not like Teo sound?

There are so many variables/things going on at "shows" etc that I find it a bit too convenient/easy to simply single out the cables/a cable as the culprit to perceived bad sound at a show.
Like I found I can move something or system might get powered off etc and it will mess up the sound to some extent for some period of time so there are just so many things to take into account when trying to assess a audio cable in any given situation.
Anyway that`s a whole other story isn`t it.

I did in fact try CT-1 in my current system as well. Through RCA connection it was lower gain and a bit harder to compare. I can not use my Spectron amps in mono block configuration with RCA as they are internally hooked up as mono block XLR amps . Only one of my amps is still capable to be used as a stereo amp in RCA which is how I was able to compare initially. I tried my best. Listening to many familiar albums over a number of weeks swapping back and forth even giving each cable time to settle back in.
It became clear to me that I was enjoying Teo MkII more. Simple as that.

Spectron amps are great to reveal cable differences as well.
Very good Spectron review here at the bottom of this page link if anyone is interested. I`m sure many have already read this though. Spectron is the real deal if used correctly.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/guiltypleasures/0809/
I am confident that my assessments are relevant. I believe my new system is pretty much as accurate and neutral as they come.

Every additional cable in ones system will of course be a factor.
In my current system I am using the new Acoustic Revive USB-1.0SP`S` dual conduit between computer and DAC which is apparently one of, if not the, most accurate neutral USB cables on the market atm.
On my Spectron mono blocks I use Spectrons top of the line Remote sense cables whose design are influenced by other cable experts Elrod and Pranawire who also sell highly renowned state of the art cables. I am particularly a big fan of Elrod too BTW.
To quote Dr. Simon Thacher of Spectron -
"Remote Sense Cables have “the remote sense circuitry” which is unique and no other amplifier in the world have it. This circuitry was design to minimize the effect of ANY cable’s electrical characteristics on the sound and it does work in highly MEASURABLE fashion -of course, in different cables this effect varies"
So I believe I have a high res solid neutral accurate foundation(other cables and components) to compare IC`s between source and amplification . No preamp no other IC`s in the chain and very pure AC consisting of 60 amp lines, upgraded from street to new heavy duty breakers then to system. All contacts have been treated. Maestro outlet with Oyaide carbon fiber cover. Acoustic Revive ultimate passive conditioner(I have owned Bybee and Synergistic research powercell MkII) Elrod gold statement V2 from wall to conditioner(awesome beginning of chain PC) and other select high quality cords connected to components.
Even so,once again, there is always different variables involved that we just can`t always account for accurately to determine any absolutes right?

Tbg says > I think you said it all when you said, "Teo has more emotion texture dimensionality in mids akin to tubes"

I understand what you are getting at Tbg.
Only lately do I realize what I said was really a premature statement.
Since my new front end has revealed "to me" what tubes actually do.... I wish to retract this statement.
In my new aware state of consciousness I view this statement as now a bit of a bash against Teo. Which obviously was not my initial intention.
Teo liquid cable is not a tube simple as that.
I do not think Teo sound is akin to tubes anymore .
I would now say "Teo has more emotion etc in mids akin to live music" instead.
I also wish i chose a different heading for my review haha. Oh well.
Maybe "Teo AND High Fidelity" or "2 great IC`s" or something like that would have been more appropriate.

It was never really my intention to make this thread a fullon ongoing Teo VS HF or especially tube vs SS.
I was lucky enough to have in my possession two of the best IC`s I have ever heard and I wanted to share my thoughts.
I am simply elaborating on what I believe to be a bit of a personal audio revelation lately since the arrival of my new front end,departure of tubes, and Teo MkII IC. Absolutely nothing against CT-1 either.

OK, a mate of mine has a nice neutral Linn Klimax system in his small pseudo studio. Obviously not to the level of my current components but probably just as neutral.
He has allot of experience through his life in audio and cables. His opinion was similar to mine.
Last year we compared Teo MkI and CT-1 in this system listening through some high end expensive Grado head phones.
Our overall impressions were similar to what I heard on my own system.
The highs seemed to be the main difference once again.
Teo MkII is definitely more open than MkI.

There is no way I could possibly state that I simply do not like either one.
IMO Teo and HF are undoubtedly right at the top in their field. Both state of the art today.
Having said all that, I am of course still open minded to trying CT-1E one day as soon as Ricks XLR is available.
I have no doubt CT-1E is stellar. Really look forward to auditioning it.
Sure I could try CT-1E RCA now but I am not so keen due to the gain issue and my system configuration.
Hurry up Rick! lol

Once I had my new NOS1 front end run in and started swapping some cables slowly I really noticed the difference with high end cables more than ever before in a more sophisticated way if that makes any sense. Micro details/dynamics harmonics etc.
Not so much of a definite tone change as before.
Also I now find that lesser cables and even stock cables sound different compared to before.
I can now hear a bit clearer the obvious color distortion and tone change lesser cables impart on the signal.
Stock cables sound a bit better than I ever thought they sounded before as well. I have a new small appreciation for poor but "neutral"

Compared to other cables I tried not long after my new front end, including CT-1 to some extent, there just was not that same realism as with Teo MkII.
For some reason Teo MkII really "seems" to be meshing with this front end much better than anything else I have tried so far. Something to do with the 768kHz DAC? IDK
I will ask Taras if he has any idea since he is the one who is most qualified to answer.

The natural reproduction of the most delicate harmonic structures naturalness of instrument timbre and natural clear as a bell full chesty(not just mainly throaty) vocals, smoothness, detail, dynamics etc that Teo MkII allow/help to provide sounds so so real now.

We only truly know how good something sounds until we clearly hear something better right.

I know my new front end has easily made the biggest improvement in my system but having said that..... as Greg Focker would say -
And the only way that I would ever let go of my cables would be if you came over here right now and tried to pry it from my dead, lifeless fingers, okay? If you can get it from my kung-fu grip then you can come and have it, okay?
Okay I am a cable nut lol

IDC what anyone says who has had some limited experience with a Teo cable of some unknown model or what anyone thinks some cable might sound like at some show.
I think it`s pretty obvious Teo audio designs great cables easily comparable to the best out there in our mainstream market. To me that is blatantly obvious.
I think my own experience accounts for something as well.

Right now I must say that I think Teo MkII is "special" especially, it seems, if ones system really is highly resolving accurate neutral. This is simply my honest experience.

Actually I wish I still had Teo MkI to evaluate on this system to compare to CT-1 and MkII as this would give a bit more idea maybe of what is going on since installing my new front end.

I have a small list of components cables that I watch out of interest roughly once a week on the used market.
Teo is amongst the top few that I hardly ever see for sale. Plenty of extremely positive comments on the net from those that have had some decent experience/time with Teo cables. Also I have talked to a few Teo owners on the net and they all say the same thing that they have not as much interest auditioning any other brand now but have a huge desire to hear Teo Reference line.
Yes I am one of them. Soon maybe.
But like I said - I will still be trying Ricks CT-1E XLR in the future.
This should be interesting.

Great news again Essoteric. I know exactly what you mean. Teo MKII is truly special.
How is it going lately since burning in more? Any improvement?

I have decided to purchase Teo speaker cables some time this year as well. Even though it is a bit more than I can afford right now.... I am very confident in the result.
Very much looking forward to it and will surely post my thoughts here when the time comes. So those interested stay tuned.
I described my current SC above.

Regarding DAC.
Actually I already mentioned above what I believe is easily the best digital front end available on our mainstream market. Some will say best source period and I wouldn't doubt that at all.
It is Europes big hit(getting worldwide recognition too)the highly unique PHASURE NOS1 USB DAC with matching XXhighend software and custom high end computer designed by Peter Stordiau(PeterSt)from Switzerland.
6moons recent blue moon award. Labelled "lonely at the top"
Feel free to msg me for additional info which I am more than happy to pass on. There is quite a bit.
Tons of info though on Peter`s website at Phasure.com. It is a real community where Peter fully participates.
Peter`s gear is already quite the buzz on various other audio forums.
He is great to approach. Extremely friendly, very helpful(even after purchase)zero pressure and more importantly with 90 day money back for initial peace of mind.... not that this will matter once you hear. Absolute pleasure to deal with.
I can pretty much guarantee you will not find a NOS1 on the used market either.
I could go on and on but simply put ... this PC DAC system is the REAL DEAL unlike any other!!!!!
Look out USA

BTW I will start a new thread dedicated to NOS1 soon as I see there is virtually no mention on Audiogon yet.

Hi Lee, I found the RS MKII Sig needed quite some time to settle or burn in but after quite a while they really started to impress. There was a stage, early on, nearly gave up on them I must admit. Must be patient with these.
Yes have heard that the Pranawire is good, especially with Spectron.
I simply love what Teo liquid brings and believe this myself to be a very wonderful match with Spectron.
Bit hard to try everything eh.
I am 100% convinced with Teo and will stick with them.
Teo STD MKII surely is special.

Yep the V-cap CuTF really was a nice upgrade. Easily better than the TFTF IMO.
Not cheap but well worth it.
Work was done by Spectron before amps where sent to me but I believe can be done by trusted skilled electronic tech.
Gota be careful with those amp modules though. Recommend to consult with Simon or Manh first.

So far definitely love CuTF in component applications.
Also found Vnice little trick with smallest value TFTF(from Spectron amp) as double bypass coupled to 1st small bypass NOS Russian silver mica SSG on tweeter Xover with main caps Duelund or Mundorf S/G/O.