The CT-1 are not being discontinued, and they are selling. I don't know where this came from Norm. |
These interconnect cables are truly off the charts. An astounding clarity and detail but yet non fatiguing.
The magnetic conduction technology of this new cable line really does lift the cliche 'veils' from music by reducing distortion. For the first time I am not hearing my cables, they have not much of a sound.
I cannot wait for the speaker cables.
Note : take all I say about HFC with a grain of salt because I am now involved with the company in a minor way doing web development. But be assured I would not have bothered if this was yet another high end cable company dressing up stock wire with fancy jackets and expensive connectors.
There truly is something unique going on here, Rick Schultz is a genius inventor who thinks outside the box. |
Charles1dad the CT-1 digital cable is signficantly better than any other digital cable I have had. In fact it was the first High Fidelity Cables product I had in my system.
But I will admit my experience with digital cables is not vast, unlike IC's where I have been around the block and know how good the CT-1 is with confidence. |
The CT-1 is uber detailed, highly resolved and has amazing clarity - but at the same time it sounds smooth and non-digital.
It sound contradictory I know. But this is the magic that Rick Scultz has managed to come up with.
For the first time I would say this cable really is neutral, but it does neutral by removing distortion. Not by accenuating the highs or thickening the bass or coloring the sound like every other cable I have had.
What you dont get from these cables is that fake air and halo shimmer that does not exist on the recording. If your equipment is up to it you start to hear things that sound real. Real cymbol splashes, real drum strikes e.t.c |
I can't wait to hear the CT-1E speaker cables. I have some come coming very soon.....
The CT-1E speaker cables have an inline magnetic module, like on the Ultimate IC's, but apparently not as powerful. |
How long did you think the Ultimate Interconnects take to break in? The interconnects have a magnetic module that is way smaller than what is found on the Ultimate speaker cables.
I'm presuming the size of that module is what accounts for the extended break in. In my experience the standard CT-1 and CT-1E are fairly quick to break in.
The 'in development' power conditioner also uses those very large modules like on the speaker cables, and it also apparently takes a long time to reach potential. |
Petieboy your TEO is an XLR and High Fidelity are not doing an XLR yet. You need to be clear on that in your other posts. It's an apples to oranges comparison depending on the equipment.
The CT-1 is good, but cannot be compared to the CT-1E in a good system. It is vastly better IMO, and more in line price wise with what you are using.
I have experience with various ribbon speaker cable configurations. They are good but seem to roll the high end off. If you want them for 280Hz and up then perhaps the MG stuff will not be suitable. |
I have tried HFC cables in a few systems now. Their strengths are they just let the signal come through with the least distortion and coloration compared to other cables.
So keeping this in mind, my experience has been to start upstream at the source - as once the signal information is lost here you cannot get it back down the chain. As a digital cable the HFC is just awesome, as well as phono or DAC to pre.
I would get the speaker cables last. This is not to say the speaker cables do not have a big effect, in fact once the rest of the system is HFC wired the speaker cables can have the most dramatic impact on the sound, but this is due to the upstream signal finally coming through with such clarity.
I would also suggest to start with the CT-1E series for interconnects and phono cables. With a good systems it is a very large jump over the CT-1. Considering the retail price increase of only $1600 to $2800 it is worth making the jump. Many cable companies would price such a jump in performance at 5-10k.
But to truly appreciate the range above CT-1 you need a decent system. For example a cheap source and integrated amplifier will barely see a performance leap from CT-1 to CT-1E but in a good system it can be huge.
The negatives of the HFC line in general is they do not color/tailor the sound and for some systems this is actually needed and preferred. |
You see a lot of flavour of the month type cables lines come and go. The reason why HFC is still getting good reviews is because it truly is good.
Some may disagree with the technical theory behind what Rick is doing, but at least he has brought something new and different to the cable segment. |
Ddraudt, since last year I have had some HFC wave stabilizer modules that I run on the power lines just before the power enters my 6 outlet distribution box.
It is amazing, clears up the sound and video on my AV setup. Its one tweak I cannot live without. My modules are an early test version, much smaller and much lower power than those found in your Wave Guide power box, so I can only imagine how good your system now is.
This technology works as good with power as with IC and speaker signals. |
Did you miss his reply on the 23rd, Audiolabyrinth?
This thread is not the place for such a discussion anyway. |
The stopgap method for running HFC balanced, is to use a pair of RCA cables, both pointing in the same signal direction, into a Cardas 2xRCA-XLR adaptor for each channel.
Its not a normal RCA-XLR adaptor, if that's what some are thinking.
It all comes down to the quality of the adaptor. But I can't imagine this method will be as good as a proper XLR cable coming next year. Remember the technology is in the connector, so this requires a ground up XLR design, not just buying a catalog XLR like other cable companies can do.
Its very cost prohibitive and I would not like to be in their shoes to be honest.
How they plan on doing the XLR cable, is two runs of wire similar to what is currently used in the RCA, one for positive and one for negative, but the shield from both runs are connected to the common ground in each XLR connector.
At least this is what I heard from Rick a while back - they may have different plans now. |
I think Rick tried experimenting with some passive magnets on his last VD cables. The VD cables were never sold this way but I presume that's where he got the idea for this new stuff.
btw I have had a few cables before from other companies that have tried putting rare earth magnets into the surround of the connector. In the initial stage it works to an awesome level, then each day the sound deteriorates to the point you need to pull them out.
Marty de Wulf from BFS came across this same problem with a power cable line, at the start they were the best power cables he had ever had, then deteriorated. He would have to pull them out for a few days for the system to demagnetize.
Initially I was worried this technology was going to be like that, but its not. The key difference is the magnets are active in the signal path itself, not external just as a passive device. |
Chatnoir, HFC technology makes the best digital cables by far. I would get a BNC adaptor and use the RCA CT-1E cable. |
I have had various CT-1, CT-1E and CT-1U interconnects and digital cables. They were all tight as fuk |
It's not that Rick thinks plating does not effect the sound. As you say its just he thinks the magnetic conduction effect is far more important.
Rick also does not think much of wire purity, such as OCC purity e.t.c Again it's NOT that he thinks such things make no difference, its simply that other factors are more important.
And when you consider how these cables are truly the first that do not act as tone controls or colorations devices, he is onto something. |
I have taken a keen interest in the modern high end cable industry since 2001 purely from a marketing perspective, noting all the hyperbole and technical claims, some very clever.
So I can understand how jaded audiophiles can get with yet another cable company claiming magical breakthroughs. The things is.... with HFC it is fairly true. In 95% of cases people who have been around the cable block think this brand is a spectacular breakthrough.
I can understand the price complaint, but these cables are competing with a lot of far more expensive competitors. IMO the CT-1E interconnects and CT-1E digital cable get you a fair chunk of the HFC performance for a good price. I would skip the standard CT-1... |
I know for as fact Rick Schultz had 3rd party testing done. As well as the distortion and SNR figures HFC also did testing of the square wave rise time, comparing standard cables to CT-1, then CT-1E then CT-1U e.t.c showing a faster and faster rise time.
So why don't they release such data and white papers? Because of people like Badman. The discussion then becomes all about the data, the testing methodology, and the trolls get the ability to grandstand.
I'll give you an example, Badman says because components and speakers have inherent distortion, the claims of HFC reducing distortion are thus impossible.
These two statements are what is known as a non-sequitur, or 'one does not follow from the other'. You can easily test for audible distortion and SNR using the physical speaker output in a anechoic chamber, then swap components and cables downstream in a controlled manner, and see the measured results of those changes. This is common practice across the audio industry, why would someone think taking such measurements is impossible?
At first I was disappointed that HFC did not enter the measurement wars, but if Badman's statement is the sort of illogical thinking and nonsense you have to put up with, why bother even starting the measurement discussion? I can see the point. |
Badman, perhaps the testing was done on amplifier output, not speakers, perhaps it was on just the DAC output stage, testing a single digital cable.
At these points in the signal chain, the relative differences of cables are magnified relative to total distortion levels.
You are just way out of line accusing people of being a fraud when you have no idea of the testing methodology (neither do I know it).
But I will tell you one thing, Rick told me the external testing company was most surprised about the SNR changes, rather than distortion reduction you are focusing on. To them that was even more impossible. |
So Badman, you are saying the difference between calling High Fidelity Cables a fraud or legit, is having the words 'system-wide' vs 'electronic components' on their website (the later excluding the loudspeaker from the chain).
The website is a marketing device, not a white paper, and you are declaring people frauds on the basis of a semantic word game. All I can say is, get some bloody perspective.
But we all know the real story here is just an excuse to have a rant. |
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Calvinj I also have the Luminance amp, I am presuming you have the KST-150?
I was getting spectacular sound through a Densen B200 pre into the KST-150, but when I went DAC volume direct I have really lost some of the magic. Its a cheap no-name DAC though, not anywhere near the quality of the Invicta. |
Can you tell a difference between the Mirus and the Invicta? I guess the Mirus is fresh out the box though. |
OMG there is 1 pair of speaker cables on Audiogon, HA HA, dirt cheap, good luck getting them, your gonna make a big loss HA HA
This sort of talk is such a transparent troll and slur. No I am not a dealer, I am on Highend Electronics email list where Alfred announced why he had the show and demo stock to sell. |
spelling mistake, cleared out, not cleared our. |
Your right Audiolabyrinth, I'm being a bit sour today. |
Tsushima1, the speaker cables have high impedance so with certain amp/speaker combinations it perhaps may not work out. The issue may not be your Martin Logan's but the amp used as well.
With signal cables such as IC's and digital cables, having high impedance is not an issue so I presume compatibility is better. |
The new amp is the latest circuit design by Steve Keiser who did the KST-150 for Luminance Audio. No negative feedback or emitter resistors.
Built to a much higher standard than the earlier amp with the choicest parts and magnetic conduction technology. I heard its going to be expensive... |
What Sabai says is true for almost the entire cable industry. Except for HFC !! Yes its true, this time it is different!!
Seriously, I know how easy it is to be sceptical because the cable market has always been full of marketing and flavor of the month products.
But consider this... when you see long time audiophiles who have been around the block and owned dozens of high end cables, saying listen up, this stuff is truly an advance and giant leap over anything we have had before, well that says something.
Its been almost 3 years and the hype is still going strong because its real, there really is something to all this. |
If you go back to the beginning, you will find at least 30 or more people on this thread who claim to be HFC owners saying these cables are game changing.
So even if a few of them are plants, this thread has more actual user reports than almost any other cable thread on Audiogon.
Its true the last 20 pages of this thread have been dominated by the same 5 users, but that should not be something to hold against HFC or Rick Schultz, which is what some cable-bitten audiophiles are trying to do. |
Sabai, looking at your system you have a lot of what I would call 'tweak' products. This means you are not a traditional skeptic, you have just rightly not been impressed with high end cables. Almost all high end cables are just another flavour of sound, they do not justify the extra cost over a decent $500 cable.
This is where HFC is different. It's huge leap in realism. You are kidding yourself if you think you can make some yourself. There is a lot more going on with these cables than magnets that makes them perform so special.
In my opinion the CT-1E Interconnect is a huge leap in performance over any IC cable type I have had, and I have rolled my own of every geometry and wire type you can think of.
Unlike some on this thread I am not so keen to pump the very expensive lines as being 10x better e.t.c The CT-1U and CT-1UR are in my system incremental improvements, they are for the well to do with money to burn.
The CT-1E gets you a large chunk of performance for a price that does not involve cutting your arm off. You should try a pair. |
Accusing Ddraudt of being a shill or plant shows a lack of integrity of those making the claims. For sure he is over the top and wildly enthusiastic, but I have seen dozens of genuine customers over the years who do this about various product lines, its not out of the ordinary.
But of course what they are really saying - is they do not believe the performance claims of HFC cables, and thus Ddraudt's comments must surely be disingenuous.
Bollocks. Either put up or shut up, either try the cables yourself or don't try them. But stop attacking the integrity of people here when you have no idea of the facts. Yes attack their opinion if you disagree, a forum is about debate, but going after the man is a fairly low tactic. |
I have to take that last comment back. I misread it, sorry Jmcgrogan2, its 2 am here.
Mods delete!! Do we even have mods on Audiogon? |
"Even you Agithos have shown previous interest in other things audio besides HFC, like all regular audiophiles do."
Absolute rubbish Jmcgrogan2. As anyone who bothers to look at my post history can attest. I have commented on everything, and on many cables brands other than HFC.
Why would you say such a thing that is blatantly false, if not to insult my character in a sly way? A forum troll indeed. |
Sabai, try removing the magnets that surround your cables and system. You will find there is a veil and constriction that has been lifted from the sound.
Years ago I used rare earth magnets in various patterns to surround the connectors of a power cable I had. I also had a coaxial digital cable by a manufacturer that has magnets in the RCA itself.
When these items were first plugged in, it was like a void of silence, a huge improvement, such an exciting gain in performance, but as time went by, literally only a few days, the sound would continue to deteriorate and the magic was lost to the point the system started to sound negative compared to when the cables first went in.
I was mystified as to why this happened. Then I read a review of Lotus Audio magnetic power cables by Marty DeWulf of Bound for Sound. The exact same thing happened to him, those power cables were the best he ever heard, only initially, and then the performance deteriorated over time.
I asked Mr Magnets, Rick Schultz, why this happens with passively applied magnets, he had a technical explanation I will try and remember; the magnets initially create a magnetic field that the signal can pass through more freely than before, improving the sound. But over time the magnets start to magnetically charge the surrounding cable connectors, the wire, component sockets e.t.c in an uncontrolled fashion, making performance deteriorate.
After this experience with magnets, my initial concern about HFC was it would deteriorate, but its the opposite, it gets better and better with time. This must be due to using the magnets as a part of the signal path itself, rather than externally interfering with the signal. |
Rlawry, I would highly recommend the CT-1E for the phono cable. The CT-1E was initially designed as a turntable phono cable in the first place. It is a big advance in realism over the standard CT-1. |
"I useally see High-fidelity cables being sold used or demo for big losses!, so here is your chance to get-em, good luck, cheers."
Audiolabyrinth you have done nothing but consistently shill for Tara labs on this thread, and the above statement is another subtle troll. You know full well there has been barely any used HFC cables come up for sale especially considering they have been 'flavour of the month' for the last year or more.
Two months ago Rick cleared our two dozen various demo, review and shows cables on Audiogon through dealers, but it was not customers selling them.
There are thousands of stock CT-1 out there. If HFC was just another hyped cable brand you would expect to see far more for sale than there actually are.
Those power cables listed for sale are, again, demo cables. Even at that price the power cables are still out of my price league. |
I have been happily using a complete loom of HFC for years now, with digital (CT-1UR) / interconnect (CT-1UR) / speaker (CT-1E).
Recently I attempted to maybe replace my CT-1E speaker cables, with an eye to perhaps selling them as they have now been discontinued.
There was no comparison, the competing cables I tried could not touch the CT-1E. I wonder how good the CT-1U or UR is. |
