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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
agisthos
166 posts
 
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.
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Calvinj

You stated, "I will make it simple for you. If you didn't like the sound you wouldn't buy them." I will make it simple for you. If you liked the sound you would't have sold them.

You stated, "Try the high fidelity stuff for yourself. Don't let anyone tell you what it's worth." If you can afford high priced cables without batting an eyelash then you can afford to make this statement. But if you are among those who demand value for their hard-earned audio dollars then "worth" is critical.

Jmcgrogan2,

In spite of Rick Schultz's unethical actions this has nothing whatsoever to do about a grudge. That's all in the past. My observations are not so easily dismissed. I have been critical of many cable makers for years on the Forum -- Synergistic Research, Grover Huffman, Gabriel Gold, HiDiamond among them.
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Calvinj,

You stated, "I knew it had to be something when there was no comment about the sound at all." My comments were all about the sound and how much the sound is worth. A pair of speaker cables is worth $7,500? You must be joking. I mean, we're talking about 2 wires with some neodymium magnets. We are not talking about nuclear physics. You can make your own stunning speaker wires, Ozzy and I and others have done it, for less than $200 including the magnets.

This is about venting about the outrageous prices some cable makers put on their cables -- including Synergistic Research, Gabriel Gold, Tara, Nordost and High Fidelity, among others. There are folks who can afford to throw money at any audio product without batting an eyelash. And there are others who cannot. It's as simple as that.

Why in the world would anyone even think of spending $7,500 on a pair of speaker wires if they could make their own for less than $200 and have $7,300 left over in their audio budget?
sabai
2,027 posts
 
In June of this year Jack Roberts of Dagogo wrote a review of the High Fidelity Cable CT-1 Ultimate Reference Rhodium Plus Power Cord.

Here is his conclusion: "I don’t think I have written a power cord review and not talked about how dead quite or black the background is. That’s because these power cords simply made my system sound better in every way. Maybe the one way to sum up this review is to let you know that the High Fidelity Cable power cords allowed my system to have an uncanny sense of realism that was a revelation to this reviewer."

This is worth $12,900 for one power cord? You got to be joking.
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Tbg,

You may be right. But I believe there is a mystique around cables and cable makers that needs to be dispelled. Ozzy put it very well when he said there is just so much BS in the cable business. If you believe everything you read on the Forum and in reviews, there are more geniuses in the high-end audio business than there are in Mensa. Sorry, I don't buy it. That mentality simply fills a need for myth-making and cultism.

What I am talking about is the price/performance ratio. I have known for years that neodymium magnets can elevate the performance of cables. But I also know from my own experience that any audiophile can make his own stunning cables for a pittance -- meaning no more than $200 or $300 -- including the magical neodymium magnets that usually run no more than 50 cents apiece. This makes the astronomical prices demanded for "high end" cables with lesser SQ, and in many cases inferior SQ, nothing short of laughable.

Of course, those with enough money to throw at the matter do not care a whit about price/performance. They want to come home at night, put their feet up, and enjoy the music. For them performance is all that matters -- not price or value. They have no interest in making their own cables. They simply let someone else address the problem and pay them for their work. On the other hand, there are others who try to get the best value for their hard-earned dollars but are drawn into the high-end hoopla and spend way more than they need to spend for stunning sound. They have no idea they can make their own high-performance cables for a song.

By the way, my comments are equally directed at a long list of cable makers including Synergistic Research, Cardas, Gabriel Gold, High Fidelity, ASI Liveline, Tara and Nordost, among many others.
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