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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
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
JMC-
I have an all-tube system (VAC) and have NOT experienced any db drop since adding my HF UR cables. There was a bit in the beginning, but as the cables broke in (2 weeks) I got the gain back. It was pretty minor. IF yours doesn't come back,I would call Rick and see what he thinks. He will probably have a solution for you if the break-in doesn't solve your issue.
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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
Well, just to be fair, it's not actually a "populist" viewpoint. It's a pseudo skeptic's viewpoint.
calvinj
1,594 posts
 
@everyone. I post less because I stay away from the negative energy on this thread put out by people who doubt the enjoyment by the many other high fidelity owners. Until you hear and live with them you just wouldn't understand. @all high fidelity owners the nay Sayers just are not going to get it. Blah blah blah and attack and accuse and etc. All I can say to them is quit pocket watching. People spend the money they make on what they like and if they are happy with it so be it. If you think someone is not genuine then why do you think the rest of us are so stupid that we need to be saved by you. Lol. Look high end audio is about getting the best sound you can and so far this product has done that for the high fidelity owners. End of conversation. If something else does it for you then go buy it and keep buying it. Go to that thread and add something useful. This thread is a high fidelity thread that we like to use to tell others our actual impressions on this product. Good or bad. Mostly good. Lol. So if you want to attack people go do it on facebook or something. "Don't kill my Vibe" I can feel your negative energy from three planets away. Lol.
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
8,673 posts
 
02-20-15: Jmcgrogan2
After positive experiences with the HFC interconnects, I finally received a pair of CT-1E speaker cables today. I noticed a dramatic drop in output levels. As Siddh points out, they are quite exceptional, aside from the large drop in gain. However, that may turn out to be a deal breaker for me too.
John (and others who are experiencing a similar issue), perhaps the experience Rlawry reported on 1-16-15 involving his HFC phono cables has some relevance:
01-16-15: Rlawry
Previously I reported on this thread that I bought a used 2 meter CT-1 cable to try for signals between my turntable with Lyra cartridge outputting 0.5 mV and my Manley Steelhead Phono Stage. When I replaced my previous carbon nanotube Bybee filter cables with the CT-1 I got no signal at all from one channel and a weak one from the other.... I contacted HF cables and was told the cable connectors were probably contaminated with metallic debris, making for a bad connection, attenuating the weak phono signals. So I sent them back for cleaning and received them today. I tried the cables again after letting them settle for a few hours.

The results were completely different this time, and in a word, otherworldly.... If you think your cables might need the contacts cleaned, HF Cables can send you some Silly Putty to glob onto the connectors to effectively remove the metallic debris.
Well under an ohm of contact resistance would be audibly significant in a speaker cable, although several ohms or more would most likely be necessary to cause the 10 vs. 2 o'clock difference in volume control position you described.

Also, if you or one of the others experiencing this issue has a multimeter, it would certainly be interesting if you were to disconnect the cable and measure the resistance of each of its conductors between one end and the other. If you are equipped to do that, also check to see if there is an essentially infinite resistance between the two conductors, as would be the case with nearly all conventionally designed cables.

Best regards,
-- Al
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