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
Is it out of bounds to discuss the actual measurable electrical properties of the product to try to understand things better? Especially in the context of trying to understand a reported issue?

If so fine. It's not worth rattling swords about. We all like what we like. In the end nothing else really matters. 🙏
Mapman,
Just so you know, I was not referring to you. I think it is very informative that you brought up the measurements. Now that I know it may drop the gain, I would think twice about purchasing these cables before a home audition. Cheers! J.
ACman, thanks for providing the additional data point. 3.8 ohms for 2 feet; wow! What kind of speakers are you using? The volume loss resulting from a given cable resistance will, as you probably realize, be inversely proportional to the impedance of the speaker.

In any event, from a technical standpoint a couple of things seem clear to me, assuming that these high resistances are a consequence of the design and not of defects, and assuming that these resistances, which are at a frequency of zero Hz (i.e., the DC that is provided by the meters), are not somehow magically negated at frequencies of 20 Hz and higher:

1)The sonic consequences of the resistance will vary considerably depending on how the impedance of the particular speaker varies as a function of frequency. The output impedance and drive capabilities of the amplifier that is being used will also be relevant factors, meaning specifically that tube amps and solid state amps will tend to interact differently with these cables, and meaning also that due to their differing output impedances different tube amps will also tend to interact differently.

2)Putting aside subjective preferences, those kinds of resistances cannot, as I see it, be considered to be consistent with ***accurate*** transfer of the amplifier's output signal to the speaker's input.

I should add that all of this just applies to speaker cables. Under any reasonable circumstances the resistance of line-level interconnects will be inconsequential, because it will be a miniscule fraction of the load impedance. The same goes for phono cables, aside perhaps for those few situations in which certain LOMC cartridges may be loaded with very low resistances (e.g., tens of ohms).

IMO, FWIW. Regards,
-- Al
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