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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
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audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Any one know what has happened to jmcgrogan 2 ?, 
calvinj
2,280 posts
 
@audiolabyrinth hadn’t heard from him in a while 
lak's avatar
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lak
4,529 posts
 
I believe John got tired of some of the bologna that was taking place here.
calvinj
2,280 posts
 
@lak. I did too that’s why I don’t post much.
agisthos
451 posts
 
OK I am reposting here what I just did in the other thread, my conclusions after using these cables for almost 10 years...

I tried all the original CT-1 line up to Ultimate Reference (not balanced IC's). This line has now been replaced by the cheaper Reveal, and the equivalently expensive Helix. I have not tried either.

IMO, this cable technology is spectacular for digital cables and interconnects, and also power cables. But it was hit and miss with speaker cables due to the naturally high inductance (all these magnetic cables are transmission line). Depending on the amp/speaker combo the speakers cables could be fantastic and in other combo's flat and lifeless.

The low end power cables were good, but the CT-1 Ultimate Reference power cable was an end game cable. If you want one power cable to feed your distributor and revolutionize the entire system sound, check out the new replacement equivalent, which seems to be the Helix series.

I also thought the original CT-1E Interconnects were the optimum price/performance point in the original line of interconnects if you were not into spending crazy money. But this could have been due to my own system being about 10k. A more expensive system may have been warranted to fully appreciate the higher models.

I currently use the CT-1 Ultimate Reference IC's and Digital cable and will never sell them, they are essential to getting a purity of sound out of any front end in my system.

Comparing HFC cables to other brands is also tricky, because the HFC cables create a charged magnetic pathway through your sockets and circuits, so when you swap in another cable brand it will benefit from the conduction treatment and sound better than it actually is. But this will wear off after a few days. So its best to listen to HFC cables last in a shootout.

Rick Schultz is a genius inventor and nothing came close to the performance of HFC cables for me. Though I admit it has been a few years and I have been out of the game for a while. But HFC cables were never flavor of the month or marketing driven cables. They have stood the test of time for almost 10 years now, not a lot of new/hyped cable technology ever was so far ahead in performance like this brand.
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