Hidiamond vs Hifidelity interconnects


Anyone have direct experience comparing the 2 brands?
leicachamp
C_avila1, having had around 300 hours on both SC, I find the HD D8 cables have a slightly deeper soundstage in my main system compared to the HFC CT1E. In the beginning, the CT1E was favored because it seems more airy and liquid but later I favored the more natural sounding texture of the D8 so end up using the mix of CT1U as digital, CT1E as IC as D8 as SC.
Jazz, my interpretation of your description of the D8 cables is that you are describing tonality.

Please describe the way the Hidiamond speaker cables portray the soundstage compared to the High Fidelity cables. Also, state how many hours each cable has been played.
Per Rick Schultz of HFC, magnetic conduction requires a different cable. I hope there are alternatives. These HFC cables / tubes are simple too expensive to cut it open to satisfy my curiosity.

The HFC CT1U are definitely in a different league (I have the digital version) but the steep price is worth mulling over, esp when you can spent a couple grand to upgrade your power conditioning or isolation that have their merits.

The more I compare HD D8 with the HFC CT1E speaker cables, the more I like the D8, it sounds more "robust" and textured in my main system.
It would be nice to have an accessory that adds magnetic conduction to any cable similar to Bybee Golden Goddess speaker bullets.
Im not in this discussion since begining but cant wait to share my happiness with other agoners about my HFC CT-1u cable. Im recently bought a demo pair of RCA HF CT-1 ultimate Interconnect to replace the position of a pair of Transparent Reference MM1 from CDP to preamp, still using Transparent Reference cables from preamp to monoblock and speaker cables, wow, what a magic improvement it made !. CT-1U improved the sound magically like I have a totally new system, brough me lot of suprise day by day when I listening to old CDs, some I even though in past was not good recorded but now become vey high quality. The CT-1U cable is very detailed but not at all analytical, totally balanced through out all level, sweet mid, strongest and solid bass I ever heard from my system but never too much, soundstage is just fantastic like 3D, my wife said no need to go theatre anymore bcs we have an in-house one already, especially when you hear the big orchestra playing. The cable had revealed lot of hiden capabilities of the system that I thought dont exist, especially those with tannoy speakers. What a great cable ! However I think combination of HCF and Transparent cables will be better than using one brand alone. Each brand can benefit the other with their strengths. My system including Tannoy Canterbury SE and st-100, MBL Cdp, Audio Note preamp and 300B mono power amp.
The Hidiamond D9 interconnect is not Hidiamond's top of the line cable according to the pfd document from worldwidewholesales. They list a cable called signal ultimate for $5,600 @ 1 meter. I noticed that cable on the Italian version of the Hidiamond website a couple of years ago; however, that cable longer exists currently on the Hidiamond website.

When I purchased my D9 ICs, I asked the seller if he found a cable that he liked better. He told me that the only reason he purchased the D9 ICs was to hear what the hype was all about. He uses a full loom (iirc) of Jorma Design - Prime cables. The ICs and SC are $10k and $12k respectively.

I asked a different seller why he was getting rid his D9 ICs. The reason: he likes JPS Labs Aluminata ICs better than the D9s. The Aluminata ICs cost $3,149 for a pair @ 3/4 meter in length.

There will always be a cable that you like more than your current ones.

I'm curious to know how the Jorma Prime and Aluminta stand up against each other and the High fidelity cables.
Very interesting reading, just when I thought I read all the forum articles on this topic I stumble across another :-)!
"under your furniture"... that is definitely not part of the audiophile approved set-up procedure!

They really should be supported above the floor and away from base boards and power cables.
Leicachamp, they will improve a lot. They may sound a little grainy and smothered-like but at around 200-250 they will soften up and sound very lush and open. You will be amazed what they will sound like when fully opened up. The black cylinders I believe are tensioners for the split positive and negative but contact your dealer to confirm this. Glad you went with the HD 8. Enjoy......
Decided to keep the SC 8 cables. My dealer confirmed that the pair I have has only got 100 hrs on them, so am looking forward to them improving!

Btw does anyone know what those black cylinders are for? They look like they are just cosmetics. Would like to remove them on one end because they are too big to fit under my furniture.
@Bander, the hd9 is there top Interconnect. The hd8 is there top speaker cable......
Hi Bacardi

The cables i have are dealer demos. I suppose they would have a couple of hundred hrs on them. And yes the value of the HD cable is very good. Half of what the entry CT 1 cables. I would envisage the the CT 1e to be better but it will be over 4 times the price of the HD 8. If i only require very short lengths of speaker cables i would be able to jump on the CT1e for HD do not make short length speaker cables.
@Leicachamp. I haven't heard the HF cables but I think the Hidiamond HD8 being a third of the price of the HF is a great price per performance deal. They do compete with some of the top-notch and top-priced cables out there. They really are stunning once they break-in 100%.
@Leicachamp.

I have the HD8 speaker cable and it needs alot of breaking in. I would say a good 200+ hours and it jumps up in stages. I think once it breaks in fully you will see that it is twice the cable you think it is now.....
Leicachamp...i believe that if/when you compare a CT-1E / U with the HD8 you will quickly realize that the HF cables are superior..i could be wrong but , as you mentioned, you are comparing the entry level HF cable with the top of the line HD cable.that the CT-1 is in the same ballpark as the HD 8 should tell you something..try a CT-1E and you will understand.
Well i got the Hidiamond 8 Speaker Cables. In terms of perceived value the Hidiamond wins hands down. The cables weigh a ton and are very very well made. For the price you get a lot of cable for your money.

Sound wise i give the HD the edge over the CT 1. As others have mentioned the HD cables just sounds so dam musical. It has a very dense sound and a lot of weight on notes. You tend to forget about he details, even though they are there if yo u wish to spot light it.

The CT 1 cables do really wow you when you first insert them in. The precision of the voices and instruments is amazing. But everytime i listen to them i am in awe instead of listening to the music. Its kind of spectacular, but one does not get lost in the music.

I too find having HF ic with the HD speaker cables to be a great match.

I have to admit, the fact that the HD 8 cables are the top of their line, while the HF CT-1 is their base model, does influence my opinion. It also helps relaxes one mind knowing that there is no ladder to climb up the Hidiamond ladder. I am already on top!!!!!!

I have not decided which cable i will be keeping. i have 14 day trial on the HD cable. But most likely i will keep the HD 8 cable and use the savings to upgrade my HF Ct-1 to the CT-1 ultimate

Hope my mini review helps.
I do not mean that HF ic is better SC, for my system, when I have all HF full loom, I felt like myself keep waiting to see how each instrument will perform , how heavy the bass slam will be, its really draw attention which is very nice. Once I put HD cable full loom in , it's a completely different feeling , I felt like my attention is just listen to music, yes u can say HD is warmer. But when I add HD sc into my whole HF ic system ,I got better result. When I put HF sc into my system with full HD cable ,I prefer HD full loom. When I add HF ic into full HD system ,I like it better. That is why now I've one ct1u ic between my pre-power with HD 8 sc and HD xlr3 from cd-pre, from phono to pre is HF ct1e .with all HD p4 power cords.
I'd to conclude that for my taste, I prefer HD sc over HF ct1 sc. But for RCA ,I prefer any HF ic over HD d9. But I prefer HD Xlr 3 over ct1e when I compare them side by side from my cd .
I will be getting the Hidiamond 8 speaker cables for a trial. The Diamond 8 is about 30-50% less than the base line HF CT-1. With the Hidiamond its the end of the road, with HF its the bottom of the ladder.

So it will a battle between one companies top of line speaker cable vs another's bottom of the range.
I cannot comment on which cable is better. In my system, for whatever reason, the HF ic is working quite well. Rick, prior to my auditioning the speaker cable, suggested the technology of the sc would likely transform my system. It did bring a blackness and clarity I had not previously heard, but as I earlier posted, the feeling of relaxing with the music...allowing my self to indulge in the performance was better realized with the D8.
As far as the ic's go, I have replaced a CT-1 to D9, from phono to tt, with great success. I have nearly 150 hours on it. I will give the cable additional hours and possibly switch back to the CT-1.
So Noom and Siddh, would you say the HF interconnects are standout products compared to their speaker cables? I have heard there is 2 versions of the HF speaker cables. One is high gain, while I suppose the other is low or normal gain.

To max out to HF ultimate reference speaker cables is over 10k the Hidiamond 8 and 9 are more sane prices. I have the HF CT1 speaker cables at the moment, but have not been able to compare with the Hidiamond cable. Upgrading the HF interconnects are a lot more affordable, especially when we are talking about 3 mter speaker cables per side.
Hi Siddh,
Yes, an odd coincidence. For HD P4 power cord, I think you can hardly find better at this price, I've compared it to one which cost 7x more and still
Prefer P4,although the other cable has blacker background ,more focus and deeper stage but after listening for few day, it is not as involving as P4.
I was a cable disbeliever for 20years and now I've to admit that adding good cable sometimes better than changing gears.
Happy listening
Hi Noom,
An odd coincidence, the one HF ic amongst a full loom of HD. I am also using P4 power cords, which I think are some of the best cords I have tried; one D9 ic going form turntable to phono; and D8 speaker cable. Lastly, a HF CT-1 ic. Each piece of wire was added individually, bringing more density and body. If I find a great deal on a used pair of 1.5-2 meter pair of rca's in CT-1E or D9, I may go for it. But, as is, extremely satisfying.
Siddh, it really a surprise to me ,I thought I'm alone who did that, I also have full loom of high diamond P4 pc, D8 sc, xlr 3, it sound very satisfying,
I also have HF ct1 , ct1 e, ct1 u RCA , and ct1 SC, with full loom it sound very nice too,but I prefer High diamond as they are more involving, but after test and trial, at the end I've all high diamond and one hi fidelity ct1u between my pre to amp , which I thought it was the best sounding for my system, the sound quality is superb .
I am a long time user and admirer of Rick's cables; including several Virtual models to the CT-1 and CT-1E ic's and speaker cable. A friend introduced me to the CT-1 about a year ago. The cables helped transform his system into a musically accurate representation of the venue. I had not ever heard reproduced organ sound this real. I purchased a used pair of CT-1 ic's, which improved my systems overall performance; most notably, bottom end, inner detail and imaging.
My friend's system required balanced ic's, bringing him to try Hidiamond cables. He went for a full loom, including P4 power cables, D3 balanced ic's, and D8 speaker cables.
While his cables were breaking in I auditioned a CT-1E speaker cable. I experienced gain issues, so Rick shipped a high gain version. It worked noticeably better, with great frequency extension, detail, staging, and tonal accuracy, with the quietest background I had heard; but the system lacked impact, density, and most importantly...musical involvement. I still felt wanting.
I eventually went all Hidiamond, except for one CT-1 ic from preamp to amp. It is hard to describe, only to say I have gone weeks without wanting to make any changes. For me that is a revelation. My system has never been more musically involving, with no lack of detail. Front to back, and side to side imaging has created a layered 3D effect producing the illusion of an instrument's full weight and body. The speakers disappear.
I need to emphasize that this is in my system in my room. I do not suggest this cable, or any cable is the be-all-end-all of cabling. From the threads expressing success with High Fidelity one would think no need to look further, but fortunately I did...and so far I am once again caught up in the music.
Ok some initial impressions of Hidiamond XLR 3.
I also had the High Fidelity CT-1U for about 900 hours before getting HD.

Last 6 months ICs I used by order: HiDiamond 8 RCA > JPS SC3 XLR > Gabriel Gold reflection V2 RCA > High Fidelity CT-1 > CT-1U > Hidiamond 9 RCA > Hidiamond XLR3

My DAC is exactly same as a member Hifial here (exaSound e20 mkIII .082ps clock)
amps: emotiva XPA-1 monoblocks
speakers: Magnepan 3.6R with custom crossover + 2 REL subs in stereo config.

XLR3's sound is very natural and smooth yet very resolving. Probably second most resolving cable I've had so far. First is still the CT-1U.
Harmonically very rich and cable strikes good balance between analytical vs musicality. Mids are quite dense and lush. I can't stop listening to any of the music with a vocal in it.
Sound-stage is very good. Width and depth portrayed very convincingly without hollow spots at 10 and 2oclock position, height pretty good too. Timbre is spot on.
(I played violin, viola and piano for 20 years)
There is one test track I use extensively to check the transient speed.. HiDiamond is slightly slower than High Fidelity CT-1U in this regard. However CT-1U was slightly leaner sounding in my system.
Overall I really like the HD XLR 3! HiDiamond and High Fidelity are both great cable companies. I must've went through at least 20 different IC manufacturers before and they are among the very best.

Anyone have heard the improved HD digital ref RCA in their system? IME, the HF CT1E digital is a much better fit (better imaging, more airy) than the mid 2013 model of the HD digital ref, it beats also my Tara Labs ISM Onboard Digital 0.8 XLR in terms of resolution. I need another digital RCA for my system and would like to hear other opinions/suggestion before investing more in HF.
bigkidz, The AT cables for me were very veiled and I just don't like cables that are rolled off at the top and bottom. In my opinion a much better comparison would be the HD versus the HF cables because they are both excellent cables. When I say I tried some second tier cables by HD I really mean the HD cables that are second from the top. I tried the P3 power cable and could have easily lived with that power cable but at 3 times the money the P4 is the best power cable I have heard and it should be at 3 times the money. The D7 and D8 speaker cables are both excellent but for some reason the D8 speaker cables just take my system to another level. I have had a couple of different RCA interconnects but I am now XLR 3 throughout. For me I hate spending stupid expensive money on cables and I personally think HD cables are great value even on their top models. I cannot give you any recommendation because I have no idea what your system consist of, I only know what I hear in my system.
I would suggest you find what is missing from your system and contact both HD and HF for their recommendation.
PAz307,

So can you describe the difference in the AT versus the HD cables? Which model of the HD are you using, what versions did you try? Last what version of the HD ICs would begin to offer better sound compared to the AT ICs?
Bigkidz, I have owned the exact Audio Tekne interconnects that you currently own and you are correct they do lack in the upper frequencies as well as the very last octave. I also felt the same way in regards to your description of the HF cables. Either your ears or system is similar to mine and my suggestion for an emotional experience try HD cables. It doesn't mean HF cables are bad but perhaps just not right for your system.
Thanks Paz307. Your description is helpful. I will hook up with HiFiAl and see what I hear in my system. I use Audio Tekne interconnects which are Litz design, 500 copper strands. They really dig deep in to the music especially in the mids but lack a little bit in the upper frequencies. The beta HF cables I tested were very good but I thought they lacked that emotion or "wood" as I call it. For example stand up bass just did not have the full sound of the wood of the bass instrument, same with piano. It was more detected in direct comparison of each cable. As I mentioned, I spoke to Rick about this and he advised me that the newer design changed this and it was mostly because of the amount of time to break the cables in and how he cooked them before sending them out or something like that.

Happy Listening!
HF interconnects CT1 E was the model I tried and the cable was fully broken in. I would first like to start by saying the HF cable was very good but in my system which can be very detailed to start with, the top HD cables brought out the emotion better than the HF cables. What I really like about this tread is that no one is trashing each other but instead just explaining what the differences were that they heard in their system. I did not try the HF speaker cables because for me the D8 speaker cables are simply stunning in every aspect. I did compare the D8 speaker cables to several other brands of top speaker cables when I first bought them, some costing 2-3 as more and the D8 are the best I have ever heard in my system. It was the combo of the top HD cables that took my system to the next level not just 1 cable. My experience was very similar to Noom, finding that the P4 power cables are simply another level compared to any power cable I have had in
my system and same goes with the D8 speaker cables and XLR3 interconnects but in my opinion this will be system dependent. In my system the best way to describe the difference is that the HF cables lean towards the analytical side and the HD cables lean more toward the analogue side.
I would second Paz307 opinion, having own both Hd xlr 3 ,xlr2, D8 sc, P4,and HF ct1e IC , ct1 sc. Hd top of the line product are far much superior than their lower line , first I bought their p3 pc because reading the thread and found them to be good but not great but when I try one p4, it really something special,I now owned 8 of them .xlr 3 ,D8 also many steps above xlr2 and d7, but xlr2 already better cardas clear in my system. For HF ct1 and ct1e is also a great cable, they are more neutral and yes I always want to increase my volume to hear more and more, while Hd is a little warmer, with more air ,a little less precise (background not as black)but in my system very involving,I would say better wood sound. So it all depend on system and music you listened. In my opinion HF ct1 is much better than Hd xlr2 but HF ct1e is the same level with Hd xlr3 while HD d8 sc better HF ct1sc, but with full system of Hd top of the line including p4 pc ,the search is over for me.
Hi Paz307. Could you tell me which HFC you had tried in you system and did you try them all at the same time? Also for how long were they in your system without being moved and about how many hours of play time were on them in your system? Your answers would help in answering you.

"I totally agree that disconnecting any cable can really hurt the sound of that cable for many hours after reconnection and perhaps even more so on the HFC because of their design but I do not understand how any cables hooked up after you take the HF cables off would benefit; could you please explain?"

Let me have some time to put my thoughts to words on this. But Rick can do a much better job then I will be able to.

On the HD cables. My disappointment and gripe is that so many on the HD thread here on Audiogon praised the D3 Power Cord using the virtues that you and Bigkidz express for the D4 PC and HD8 SC.
I am glad to hear that the higher end HD cables live up to the praise. But from my experience the mid point to three quarters point in a line should give one most of the bang (85-95%) for the $$$. When I bought the P3 it was at the top to just one below just after that. The D7 is one from the top (though I do like the D7 out of all the other HD I had in my system). The HD interconnect I had D2 XLR was one from the top. So seeing how for the most part all my HD were one from the top in the line I should have had 90%-95% of the top in the line.
By the way the price of $1,800 for a D4 is for a 1 Meter. I think most people would use a 1.5 to 2 MT at $2000-$2200. Not a huge amount but when most of us need several PC it adds up.
Bigkidz, where in the NYC area are you from? I live not to far from Giants Stadium.

Let me give you some background of my system;

Speakers: B&W 802D

Amps: Veritas Mono Blocks by Merrill Audio

Source: exaSound e20 MK III .082 Clock with a Paul Hynes Power Supply and a dedicated Mac Mini Quad Core-16GB RAM-128GB SSD just for OS-Boot Camped ML and W8/Pure Music, A+ and J River-USB only to DAC-Thunderbolt to external HD for music files

Interconnect and Speaker Cables: High Fidelity Cables CT-1E and a CT-1 Jumper for Bi-Wire

Power Cables: Triode Wire Labs Ten Plus

Vibration Control: Stillpoints Ultra SS under the B&W 802D and Veritas amps, plus a Synergistic Research Tranquility Base with Stillpoints Ultra Mini under everything else resting on the Tranquility Base.

I DO NOT use equipment as tone controls. I strive to find what I call Extended PRAT (PRRAATTTED). Pace, Rhythm, Resolution, Attack, Air, Timing, Tone, Transparency, Extension, and Dynamics.

As I said in a post above, I do not find the HD Cables to be "emotionally involving". Nor did anyone who tried them in any of the Audio Clubs I belong to.

As to your above "What I called "wood" sound others call flesh, emotion, etc."
I have just upgraded my CT-1 to the CT-1E ( it has less then 24 hours of play) and I can already say it is worth the extra money. Right now I am "bopping" to the "Gene Harris Quartet" in DSD and I feel like they are live in my room. That is emotionally connected. And the CT-E is giving it to me in spades right out of the box. I can not wait to hear how much better it will sound as the burn-in proceeds.
Keep in mind I am benefiting from having the CT-1 in my system for so long before the CT-1E.



What I called "wood" sound others call flesh, emotion, etc. I get that part. I also find it hard to evaluate some opinions since the system is not listed. I can understand some of the comments on how each cable sounds but with regards to bass, that is a tricky one. I have recently changed speakers and each speaker has a different sound and reproduces each frequency range differently. I have read some comments on bass reproduction and I would like to know what speakers you are using because I don't feel that each speaker can really reproduce certain lower mid bass and lower bass frequencies that well. So the comments to me are not that helpful overall in understanding those observations. It also seems that some use cables to correct a system failure such as clarity, depth, dimension, soundstage. In my experience most of that comes from the preamp. My partner and I build are own preamp and I would seriously doubt that what we build anyone else has really experienced. Not to say that your system or preamp isn't doing what you want it to do but in the design, I found it hard to choose the sound for the preamp because each part had an overall change to the sound, similar to how many are describing how each cable changes the sound to their liking. The preamp I build actually has a selector switch so that you can change the sound to one you prefer with your system. I found it hard to build something that was only for my system or my ears or based on the sound that I preferred, like most of the comments above. I have been out of the cable game for some time now as designing the preamp took close to three years and I am still making final adjustments. Getting back to the cable comparisons, I think I understand the differences between the cables, some feel that the HD cable is more emotionally involving, and that is what I felt the HF cable lacked when I heard the original beta test cable I heard. I spoke to Rick about this and he told me that he understood what I was referring to and that he was using a longer burn in on the cables that would eliminate this. I have not had the time to play around with cables but was interested in knowing what everyone was hearing. SO thanks for the comments and keeping the thread informative versus one person bashing the other cable.

Happy Listening.

PS anyone in the NYC area? I would love to hear the cables in your system.
Honest cable swapping between HFC and other brands is difficult - because the magnetic conduction charges the signal path through your components. So putting in brand X after HFC allows it to benefit from a charged signal path that can takes days to wear off.

Siddh
I have the CT-1E speaker cables, and have also had the normal CT-1 speaker cables along with a heap of other speaker cables such as Tellurium Q. I have not noticed much gain changes at all, so you may have a system/cable mismatch with your amplifier or speakers. You should post what gear you are currently running so people can note this.
HiFial,
I would say after 30 plus years of playing in this great hobby, my system is also very resolving and bordering on live sounding. With my DCS front end and Pass Labs combined I need a very phase coherent cable that has no tendencies at all and that is where all other cables have failed in my system. I also tried the D7 speakers cables and at $1300 for a 2 meter set I thought they were very good sounding but the D8 speaker cables are a complete different level; not sure why. I also run a full loom of HD cables and have P4 power cables throughout the system rather than mixing and matching cables. I did have some of the second tier cables by HD and thought they were very good for the money but the HD top cables are a complete different level than their second tier cables, as I assume this is true with other top cable manufacturers. I am not sure what HFC speaker cables cost but at $2300 the D8 is the best speaker cable I have heard in my system over the last
30 years with a bass energy that takes my speakers down a full octave. The P4 power cables also are the best I have heard and at $1800 they cost almost 1/3 of the cost of my previous power cables. I did find adding the P4 to complete the loom made a huge difference with the overall sound because other power cables that I tried with the HD speaker cables and interconnects were getting exposed. I not saying what you heard in your system was not what you heard but now that I am using the top HD cables and P4 power cables combined, the real emotion is there and with other cables is was only close.
I totally agree that disconnecting any cable can really hurt the sound of that cable for many hours after reconnection and perhaps even more so on the HFC because of their design but I do not understand how any cables hooked up after you take the HF cables off would benefit; could you please explain?
Agree with Hifial, the less tampering and moving of the High Fidelity cable the better. This cable doesn't lend itself to swapping in and out for quick comparisons.
ditto re the gain, the HFC CT1E in fact has upped the volume by nearly a full db in my system. Compared to the HD8 it has definitely more air and resolution, no contras.
"As far as "gain" I am perplexed. I never had a problem with gain at all. You should contact Rick and HFC and talk to him about it. He is very willing to help in anyway he can.

The one thing I have noticed about the HFC Cables is that they lower the noise floor by a huge amount and allows me to turn the volume up to levels I could never do before. Before at those levels there was too much noise along with the music."

Al, this is EXACTLY my experience.

"Also after the HFC has been connected and then you replace it with the HD, the HD will benefit from the Magnetic Conduction of the HFC for a while. More right away and then it will diminish over a short period of time (hours not minutes).

This just my understanding and experience."

Al, this is ALSO my experience, swapping "other" cables, besides HD.

Magnetism plays a very mysterious role in electronics.
Siddh. You do your self a disservice by changing your cables back and forth. You only have about 60 hours on the HFC so after 4 days of removal you have not lost all but I would say a good amount because it was only 60 hours. If it had a couple of hundred then no, it would only need several hours to a day or so for the Magnetic Conduction to be back. Place the HFC in and leave it untouched for over a hundred hours, double if you can. At least then you start to get a feel for that sound of the HFC. Also after the HFC has been connected and then you replace it with the HD, the HD will benefit from the Magnetic Conduction of the HFC for a while. More right away and then it will diminish over a short period of time (hours not minutes).

This just my understanding and experience.
To all; Most of us know that when you disconnect and reconnect a cable that it needs sometime to "settle" and come back into its own before sounding its best again.
Some need very little time and others much more.

Well the HFC needs way more time then most might realize. The HFC, once disturbed, needs additional time for the Magnetic Conduction to reach the same level as it had before, once it has been disconnected.
Prior to replacing the HD 8 speaker cables with the HF Enhanced Rick forewarned me that due to the reduction in distortion I would need to increase the volume. Unexpectedly, depending on the recording, I occasionally turn up the volume pot a full 4-5 notches. This is a setting I have never pushed my amp to. Undoubtedly, I really enjoy playing loud. I agree with the repeated assessment of the full loom being deeply resolving.
What do you think, though...if I lay the HF back in after 4 days of removal, do I begin from the start?
Siddh, I never meant that the HD cables are poor when it comes to base, just that many others are and used that as a comparison.

As far as "gain" I am perplexed. I never had a problem with gain at all. You should contact Rick and HFC and talk to him about it. He is very willing to help in anyway he can.

The one thing I have noticed about the HFC Cables is that they lower the noise floor by a huge amount and allows me to turn the volume up to levels I could never do before. Before at those levels there was too much noise along with the music.

Mind you this is with Amps and a DAC that are some of the most noise free around.

Give Rick a call.
Paz307, your statement about "emotionally connected" with the HD cables is one that you and others have used many times on the HD thread. Also the "lifelike" aspect. Those statements and others like them on the HD thread led me to order a fukk loom of HD cables. I had them first burned in on a Cable Cooker and then played several hundred hours of music through them before any evaluation. At one point I had a HFC CT-1 interconnect with two pairs of HD D7 Speaker cables.

Well, I must say I never once experienced what you and others have described with a full loom of HD. Again even after over five hundred hours plus the cable cooker. However I have experienced that with the HFC with a full loom.

Now, I am not saying you have not experienced that in your system. But I have also loaned my HD cables to a few of my fellow Club Members and not one of them were impressed with the HD Cables.

Please keep in mind I have a very resolving and transparent system so I do hear subtle changes.

I am glad you are happy with the HD cables as we each must find what works in our own systems.