High fidelity REVEAL interconnects
Do the Reveal sound good right away or do they require substantial break in? I just tried the XLR verison after being plugged in overnight from my source. So far I'm not too impressed compared to the Cerious, kinda dull with limited bass and treble. If I am trialing only one set where should it be tried, at the source (Dac), preamp or at the Amp? ozzy |
@mrbritt, Thanks for your response and the information that you have been able to pass on up to this point. I have no experience with the HFC Reveal line however, I owned and use the HFC CT-1U and UR power cords, interconnects and speaker cables for several years now. As you know you can run your power cords directly into the AC outlets in the wall or through your Shunyata power conditioners. I want to caution you regarding break in time. I'm guessing that all of the Reveal product line is still going to need at least a couple hundred hours to break in. (As I said in another thread): I’ve learned that there are lingering effects that are present for several days when using HFC's and that might (usually does) add to the sonic signature of other power cords including interconnects that’s being substituted for the HF power cords and interconnects, etc. Also be aware that comparing HFC products to other products is very difficult and frustrating because of the lingering effects of magnetic conduction, and the slow restart up of magnetic conduction. |
@jayctoy I installed the power cords two days ago. Because they were part of a bundle of Reveal cables I received and installed at once I’m not sure how I might even address this. There are simply too many variables, including initially putting them straight to the wall, only to retreat back to where they can be run through my Shunyata power conditioners. That’s where they are now. I bought a pair for my power amps. That’s germane to what I’m about to inform you. A couple of quick observations: If you plan to stack them direct one atop the other at the wall duplex you would need to either a) pull back the thin insulation/protection bands at the connector or b) plug them in to separate wall duplexes. The bands make them just slightly too large to stack one atop the other. However, if you just roll back the bands on one of the connectors then the remaining bands on the second cable’s connector will fall in to the grooves of the other and you’re good to go. Make sense? Look at the pictures and you’ll note the bands I’m discussing. They make the connectors just a hair too fat to stack in a duplex. On the other hand, if you are plugging them in to a power conditioner, as I am now doing, you should be good to go if you have enough outlets that they don’t have to be positioned directly next to one another. The cables themselves seem to me to be identical in construction to their more expensive offerings, the difference being at the connectors and the egg-shaped magnets that sit midstream. I won’t speak for them that the cable itself is the same but it visually appears to be the same to me. They are pretty heavy and are more flexible than many of the gargantuan in girth cables out there, such as the Shunyatas I am replacing them with. I like how they look. If you have any HFC items already, I would say each cable from Reveal on up is just as flexible as the next and, again, I think the cable itself is identical. Please wait for me to return with something more substantive to offer as far as the sound. While they were apparently cooked at the factory before they shipped, I’m guessing they still need some quality time before they should be evaluated. I had got things up and rocking recently and the ports on my loudspeakers partially closed up. (They are Tannoy Canterbury SEs which rely on natural friction to keep the sliding ports open -- not ideal in my dry climate and at serious rocking volumes.) So my initial thoughts were that they were bass shy but that might not prove to be the case. I’ve opened the ports back up and they are sounding much fuller. Off the bat, I would say the articulation and micro-dynamics are excellent. Percussive instruments like bells, chimes and shakers are coming in with great definition. But, as I say, the tonality had shifted in my room and now I need to spend more time with them. That, plus the fact that I installed some Reveal interconnects at the same time make a proper review difficult. I plan to come back with more but I wanted to cover some housekeeping and let you know I’m still on this thread. I’d look forward to others’ impressions as they come in. |
@jayctoy, By adapters, I'm thinking that you are referring to the "HFC, Magnetic RCA Adapters that will give you a taste of what magnetic conduction technology can offer. Simply fit the directional* adapters onto your current cables and hear the benefits of magnetic conduction"? If I am correct they will work on any RCA interconnect, including the Reveal interconnect, assuming someone wanted to use them. I thought the beauty of the Reveal interconnect was that it was supposed to sound better than many higher end interconnects at a much lower cost. I would hope that all parts on the Reveal interconnect would be first class. |
@hawkrising I think the issue right now is that after the initial batch they released around Christmas of last year they have run into a production delay. Specifically, they were until this week waiting on parts. The saga is unfolding on HFC’s homepage at Facebook, where one can watch videos and updates. It seems the parts came in this week and production is being ramped up. Meanwhile, aside from the initial run, no one has had his order filled and shipped. I have an order in and I intend to post my impressions here when my shipment arrives and is installed. So I don’t think there is so much a lack of interest on this thread as there is a lack of product. Let us hope good things come to those who wait. |
Thanks lak, I'll definitely give Rick a call when the time comes to get new IC's. The CT-1E's are what I'm shooting for. Thankfully I have the GE interconnects with the GE speaker cables, which are quite nice, but as Mark pointed out it can be too much of a good thing. The CT-1 or CT-1E should add a little sparkle to the mix. Thanks again for your input. |
Another happy user here of the mixed loom of CT Graphenes and HFC CT-1s! I've used complete sets of both looms, and they turned out to be "too much" of a good thing, individually. For months now, I've been running CT speaker cables and an IC from preamp to amp, and an HFC IC from DAC TO preamp. I have a couple of CT power cords in use, as well as three HFC MC 0.5s. This has turned out to be a stellar combination for me! BTW, I don't get a massive paycheck like some here do, so I am limited to just the plain ole CT-1, but that's sure not a bad thing! |
@calloway, I agree ;-) @mac48025, If you can swing it go for the CT-1E interconnects. I've never heard the Reveal products but that's a possibility also. They are configured differently, therefore, I don't know how they compare to the CT-1 or the CT-1E. Knghifi might make an excellent point from above. Personally, I'd phone Rick and ask him for his opinion. |
Is it true Reveal ic they don't have magnet on the connector? That's even better, no need to clean the tip of the connectors.This is precisely the reason I'm avoiding them. From my experience the more magnets, the better even adding A MC 0.5. If you don't want magnetic connectors, there are many many options. |
Thank you lak. Both you and Calloway enjoying the same HF/CT cable combination. That's saying a lot as you both have an impressive collection of components and I value your opinions. I'm looking at the CT-1's or possibly the Enhanced interconnects and hopefully they will suffice......I'm sure they will. Thanks again for your input |
@mac48025, You are correct, I think the GE speaker cables are excellent! I have used them in both of my systems with great success and am still using them. The interconnects I'm currently using (and have been for over a year or longer, probably a lot longer) are the High Fidelity CT-1UR in my main system and the High Fidelity CT-1U in my second system. I hope this helps? |
Lak, i may be wrong but did you like the combination of GE speaker cables with HF interconnects? If so, which HF interconnects? I thought it was you that posted on that, but I don't remember which thread it was ( getting old can suck, but sure beats the alternative!). I only ask as I really like my GE speaker cables but might want to try something a bit more revealing than the GE interconnects. Thanks and my apologies if you're not the one that made that suggestion. |
I wish all the Reveal products can start at $699 like the IC. $999 does seem a bit too high and less affordable. I don't know if the material cost is high or what. I have the IC, and I really like the improvement it did to my system. I may give the MC-0.5 a try later since it has received a lot of positive comments. |
Don't get me wrong, I really like my full loom of HFC in my main system and some in my secondary system, but I do agree with jayctoy the prices for the Reveal products that start at $999 are inflated. I don't want to start talking about the more expensive HFC, been there did that. I agree that the sound of HFC (I've not heard the Reveal) is something very special in my system, in a good way. I don't doubt that the Reveal is a winner also. |
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. |
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." |
@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 |
@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. |
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. |
