High fidelity REVEAL interconnects
@jayctoy I was concerned about the RCA plugs being too big when I first saw them in person. But was relieved that they fit perfectly without touching each other. I am sure HFC tested these extensively. Update on breakin: these cables continue to improve. They have never once sounded harsh, gritty, or bright, very natural even with bad recordings which really surprised me. |
yesterday I got my reveal cables. have put them in the system and am letting them "burn-in". will probably do some serious listening after Christmas, since most people seem to affirm that they need little time to play their best. I normally give cables a good 200 hours before I compare, but will probably do my a/b comparison next week. my current cables are little known, but they did best the Shunyata Anaconda and the Synergistic Element T/C/S in an A/B comparisons in my system. |
I agree to let these break in fully. At 50 hours now with mine and I can hear a lot more clarity in midrange and bass is getting louder and tighter. The highs remain sweet sounding. I notice I do not have to turn my amp as loud. So, didn't mean to imply they don't need much break in...just they sound good early on. |
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Originally that was the price. I promise! I wrote a email to them complaining about it. Glad to see they took my advice LOL! I am not kidding. The interconnects are still blowing me away. I might bite on the speaker cables now that the prices seem much more reasonable...so thank you for posting the new pricing. |
The$1599 price is correct for 2.5m. You can have additional waveguides installed on the Reveal SC but I understand there an additional cost. The Reveal IC's are supposed to continue to get better from 200-600 hours. If that is the case these will be something special. My brother-in-law and I were doing some critical listening last night (I am using the Reveal IC's on my phono pre-amp) and they were sounding great. Revealing, detailed but very natural sounding. IMHO once you get used to this type of sound it would be hard to go back to traditional sounding cabling. |
I have added HFC Magnetic Adapters to their very best ICs and heard Avery great improvement! As Rick has said, adding more magnets always improves performance. So far I would have to agree. For a while he was redesigning the Adapters and they were not available, but since he is going to CES, they probably are again available. |
At the end of the day everyone needs to build their system to their taste. No right or wrong if you prefer a certain IC, SC etc. However, I believe these cables are doing some things that all of the other traditional cables I have owned or used did not do for "my systems". That is what makes this hobby so much fun and frustrating. |
aniwolfe was right, the 2.5 meter pair was originally priced at $2k. When I first saw that, I backed off right away. 'Affordable' to me means less than $1k. I may be able to stretch a little bit more, but $2k was definitely out of the question for me. Anyhow, I got a pair of the Reveal IC and will listen to it later this afternoon. If anyone is going to try the SC, please let us know. |
Thankful I think we should include all the gear,speakers, that we used, and reveal to let the readers know if our system is neutral, bright, or dark, because I myself iam guilty of it, it's so easy to jump in when the thread read like the best, blew my other cables, oh the bass is unbelievable, the best cable I ever tried, vocal is first class, not all good or expensive cables will sound good on other system, I almost jump to buy Cerious cables, when I read the thread of Ozzy, I did not question how good are this cables, but a friend told me more about their characteristics. I knew then they will not match my system. After 20 years in this hobby, iam more discipline and choosy on what I audition, and add to my systems, after 2 years of working hard to learn about this, I was successful in making my system musical with high end sound, Thank God.Looking back it was fun, very stressful, expensive, and tiring and frustrating at times, The burning, the six days wait to let any gear or cable to settle them down, it' needs all the patient you have...Happy New Year and Happy New Gear😀😀😀 |
My Audio Equipment Profile
Sound Generalization: Neutral yet fairly laid-back. I listen at lower levels, so I need a system that has a low noise floor and has bass impact. Negatives: Before the Reveal interconnects my system sounded more confused with faster passages and had a slight grain texture on the top. Low mid-range had a noticeable spike which would hide detail. Soundstage was not as wide or deep as I wanted. My goal was to lessen the negative comments above. (The info above is based on the Wireworld Eclipse 5.2 IC’s in my system) Since adding the Reveal Interconnects: The negatives I had with my system have lessen dramatically and I have a much more holographic presentation. Instruments have an improve focused location in the soundstage. The top end is rendered more realistically with less grain and more decay (air). Bass is more tuneful and dynamic. Overall much more satisfying and much closer to a live event. The interconnects that I have used in the recent past. Wireworld Eclipse 5.2, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 6, Hi Diamond D7 and Cerious Technology GE. |
I've been listening to the Reveal IC for the last 2 days and was very pleased with what I've heard so far. The sound improvement (from top to bottom) was significant right from the very beginning. I noticed it being very detailed, clear, and dynamic. The soundstage got bigger and better with richer and fuller sound. My system now sounds more open, musical, and lively than ever before. The biggest improvement in my system was the bass. I did not know I was missing so much on the bottom end before Reveal. The bass I got from Reveal was deep, tight, and fast. I was looking for anything that's bright, thin, or edgy, and there were none. My system: Endeavor E-3 Mk2 speakers, Plinius Hautonga integrated amp, Ayre Codex dac, TWL SC, HF Reveal IC, Anticables 3.1 USB. |
In the next few days I'll give the cables my second listen in order to make a decision. Below my system: Squeezebox Touch with EDO, Welborne Labs PSU USB REGEN Resolution Audio Cantata Gryphon Diablo Evolution Acoustics MicroOne Cables: USB: Light Harmonic (Lightspeed) Power Cables: Douglas Cables (Mirage, Silver Purple), ASI (Liveline) IC: Douglas Cables (Hair Angel, XLR) SC: Douglas Connection Alpha with CF plugs My system is very fast, detailed, neutral and balanced. It is not analytical, since there is an overall cohesion, however texture, timbre and colour are areas that need improvement. I listen to classical, jazz, vocal and pop, mainly. I also use my system to evaluate and consult on post-production (mixes and masters). First listening sessions with the Reveal are not in line with other first impressions, but I'm giving them more time, since cables normally need a decent amount of time to burn in. |
Reverendo- I also have a Cantata cdp and tried the Reveal interconnects (RCA) from it to the preamp and the results are absolutely STUNNING - from the second cd onward. They replaced some very expensive (RCA)interconnects that I was perfectly happy with until I tried the Reveals several weeks ago. The Reveals were the only change made at the time, so I am positive nothing else can be the cause of such a significant improvement in sound quality. Now my reference cables are taking up space in my closet while I happily listen to music with the Reveals in place. Good Luck! |
A few days ago (after about 75 to 100 hours of burn-in time), I noticed that the Reveal IC sound has changed. I didn't expect this, but it now sounds more settled, matured, and more body than before. The amount of details and bass continues to amaze me. I listened to Diana Krall's S'Wonderful last night, and I noticed a lot more details that I haven't heard before. I believe the clarity and soundstage have gotten better as well. Just some wonderful stuff. I will continue to burn them in and see how much better they can get. But at this point in time, it has already taken my system sound to another level. |
@thankful I just got the Primaluna Dialogue Int Amp last week. Enjoying it quite a bit. I also added the MC-O5 power conditioner plug from HFC. This product added a nice amount of clarity from top to bottom. It was not hard to notice either. A great low cost tweak. I will be adding a few more in the future. |
aniwolf I have 16 of the MC-O5 in my system and each time i add one the change is for the better. The biggest change for me is when i add them to the power line that feeds my amp. I have 7 on that line and 7 on a line that feeds my MC 6 Hemisphere with 2 plugged into the Hemisphere that feeds my front end (Pre amp Sacd/cd player, TV sat. box) will be adding more in the neat future. Enjoy Pete |
jayctoy I use a 3 to 1 spliter stacked on top of each other. Each 3 to 1 holds 2 Mc O5 with the last one holding 3. The spliters are the same kind High Fidelity use at the audio shows, purchased at Lowes . They are bright orange in color. I use a small stand under neath the 3rd splinter to support the weight. It work s great. Thinking about trying the Power Cube, which has 5 out lets on it in stead of 3. My amp is still plugged straight to the wall and the MC O5 tree if you will is plugged into the open socket. |
@thankful Yes, I just ordered a pair of their 1.5 meter power cords. While I am a new voice on this thread I will not be able to say much for a while. First, I was surprised they really don’t have a stock pile of this new product ready to ship. I ordered mine and have been informed they need to build it before it ships. Then -- and this is really great news to me -- they are now applying their proprietary burn-in process on all cables before they ship. So that will add even more time before shipping. That said, I don’t know that I’ll be able to offer much commentary because it seems most folks want to know how it compares to this, that or the other cable with which the member poster here is already familiar. For myself, I am replacing a loom of high end Shunyata cabling while staying with my existing Shunyata power conditioners, the Triton V2 and Typhon combination. I want to be careful and to avoid speaking categorically, to include speaking for others by extension, but in my specific conversation with HFC I was asking where the most improvement might be sought. Based on my conversation regarding the HFC line (and we were really talking specifically about the new Reveal line, as I bought several pieces in one fell swoop), I was informed that power is the first place to put your HFC money, then ICs, then speaker cables and lastly speaker jumpers. There are many opinions about this topic but that was my impression in speaking with HFC. I won’t speak for them but am simply relaying what I was informed, based on my specific questions and conversation. I also ordered a special relatively long run of the new Reveal XLR/balanced ICs. In so doing, I realized I was going to need a new shorter run of speaker cables, and I bought the new power cords too. I believe but cannot state unequivocally that I will have the first new customer set of Reveal XLR/balanced ICs. They are bought and paid but have not yet been made. We are awaiting an opinion from Rick as to whether he recommends an additional waveguide be installed due to their unusual seven meter length. The adage "more magnets make more music" might apply; but as these are balanced for long runs, we are waiting to see what Rick says. They do come with one waveguide standard. But, as has been noted here, a customer can order his with more waveguides if he wants too. Due to the nature of the balanced design (versus RCA) the number of waveguide is double that of standard RCA, and thus double the price of the additional waveguide installation. I will be delighted to give some impressions of the new Reveal line upon receipt but I am not sure how useful that might be to others on this thread because I am replacing so much cabling in one fell swoop and because what I am replacing might not be known to others. One last thought about comparing the various HFC offering: It is my understanding that the affordability of the new Reveal line is due primarily to the absence of magnetic treatment at the connections. Also, the waveguides themselves look a bit different to my eye but I didn't inquire about them. In other words, HFC already offers the CT-1 and up models. How can the Reveal come out and better the CT-1 and some say challenge the Enhanced at a lesser investment? I believe it is because the Reveal model does not have magnetic dressings at the connectors. That said, the actual cable itself, about which some early adaptors have commented on the weight and quality itself, which does contain waveguides, is not second rate at all. Then we have the flexibility to add additional waveguides. At any rate, long story short, yes I have ordered the new Reveal power cords. Due to their affordability it allowed me to step in to the Reveal model balanced ICs and speaker cable at the same time and kill several birds with one stone, so to speak. I thought this philosophy might give others something to thing about. Rounding out my HFC loom: HFC Enhanced phono cables; HFC RCA adaptors on .5 meter SUT (non HFC) cables; HFC Ultra power cord on the preamp. |
misterbritt: thanks for the informative response. I believe addressing power first and then the remainder of the chain is the way to go. Unless you are willing to install each cable a piece at time there will be no way to really compare what you have to the HFC. However, I believe you will be able to compare the system as whole. I am very interested in the power cords. I currently have the Shunyata Research - Venom Digital on my Oppo 105D. My goal is to add the Reveal pc to my Oppo and my phono-preamp as soon as I can. I can say that the HFC is something special. |
@thankful You’re already hip to Shunyata? Yes, that is where I’m coming from. I absolutely love Shunyata products! But the cornerstone in my decision to continue to migrate to the HFC line is the affordability of the Reveal line. The verdict is still out on whether that was a good decision. But my fingers are crossed as my HFC Reveal cables and cords are being assembled. |
@jayctoy I’m not an engineer-type guy but I came across this review and I thought it might begin to address your question: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue68/highfidelity_enhanced.htm Some highlights: "Without delving too deeply into the technology, it involves using magnets to maximize transmission through magnetically permeable conductors (presumably variants of mu metal) rather than the typical copper (and/or silver) used in 99.9% of conventional audio cables." - source: the reviewer "High Fidelity Cables are not tone control-based cables and do not impart a sonic signature like conventional high end cables made from silver, copper etc." - source: Rick Schultz The review does not state they are made from mu metal. He is presuming as much. I would have no idea. But I did google mu metal just to see what it means: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu-metal |
Also, I just came across this Q&A excerpt from a webcast: "We use a solid core conductor that is a permalloy mixture. As you go up the line of products, we make the mixture more ferromagnetic. Mu metal is one of the key ingredients.... The cable is magnetized alloy [and] in most cases it has high nickel or carbon content. We have a metallurgist who owns part of the company [and] he helps determine the wire used." |
Part of my order has shipped. There were two basic "segments" to the order. First, I returned my CT1-E phono cable, which I had been using for about two years, for a correct factory burn-in. Why would I do that after it had been installed for so long? Because I had read and HFC confirms that phono cables need a professional burn-in due to the light voltages they convey. In other words, they would otherwise never really achieve burn-in and their full potential. I also sent them a new Ultra power cord that goes on my preamp. Those have been professionally cooked on their new burn-in machinery. The second segment of my order was for brand new Reveal products: 1.5m power cords for the amps; 7m balanced ICs between the pre and the amps; and 1.5m speaker cables. Meanwhile, I wanted to follow up on the discussion about adding an additional wave guide to the balanced ICs. The question was put to Rick and he said, no - due to the nature of the balanced cable that was not where he would put his money. So the 7m balanced ICs will come with the standard wave guide but will not be hot-rodded with an additional wave guide. Rick relayed that if you want to add wave guides, the power cables would be the first place to consider them. Since my power cables are but 1.5m I did not request them. All my Reveals will be stock. In overview, I will have a full loom of HFC power cables, speaker cables and interconnects, to include the phono, with the exception of a piece of .5m non-HFC between my SUT and my preamp. That piece, however, will receive the RCA adaptors on both ends to add magnetic conduction there. My HFC order is coming back in pieces so I cannot give a full and immediate review. But I'll be happy to report my findings at the appropriate time just the same. To say it again, all current HFC product is now being professionally "cooked" before it leaves the factory. I think this is as of about the first of the year. So my final at home burn-in process should be quite accelerated. |
