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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
theaudiotweak
1,793 posts
 
Tbg. Norm, I new you were not being critical. The third word I used in my post happened to be the same word used by you in your post that's all. Sorry if my comments were misconstrued.

In a description of my personal experience with materials and shapes I should have placed the word frustrating where I used the word resent. I am now very happy with my current results. Tom
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
One of the most important things I've run across recently is the value of damping or isolating the toroidal transformer from the printed circuit boards and to isolate the printed circuit boards as much as possible from the rest of the chassis. Damping the capacitors is also a worthwhile endeavor. Constrained layer damping for CD transports, transformers, top plate of isolation stands, etc. has proven to be Verrry Interesting.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
602 posts
 
Tbg, I agree that the processes and never ending parameters are frustrating at times and as I age, the heavy lifting gets harder.
What lifts my spirits about tests is my successes, which come weekly,
and allow me to peer further into the presentation. Each success has me feeling good about discovering something new and I can imagine my self as a cutting edge pioneer for a moment. Another really fun thing for me is that, any improvements I make these days reveal music, images, presentations that I've never heard anywhere before and could not have known were possible. Revelations!
I say that the hugest upgrade in my system ever is Ricks HF inventions. Thanks again Rick and Thanks ALL for participating in this
thread.
Dave
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
602 posts
 
Geoffkait, yes I agree with what you have said, thank you.
I've had success isolating transformers from the chassis and stressing
the circuit boards also. I've found it helpful to use hot glued wooden circuit board standoffs in the past BUT I'm experimenting with Stillpoint Standoffs ( one of Stillpoint's OEM product line ) with ball bearings.
Your idea of damping top plate of isolation stands works for me also.
I get more music by putting a little damping on some of my damping and isolation devices. I've discovered more playback info using two iso platforms on top of each other with Stillpoint under each and under the component. crazy but it works. another direction is Stillpoint's no shelf equipment racks, well designed racks with attached stillpoints no shelves. Like all of Stillpoint's stuff, surprisingly effective and surprisingly expensive.
I don't think I've mentioned that I have the ugliest system ever with so much cr#& piled on it that you can't see the components. I'm using
multi layers of heavy duty aluminum foil between each component and between speakers and components for RF IF interference with strikingly good sonic effects. I have over 30 tube traps in my small room, 6 behind each speaker and a 7 foot tall "Stonehenge" circle around the listening area effectively canceling unwanted room reflections, each tube trap fine tuned by ear. One begins to expect that I have no family around and no life other than Audio??
I'm having a lot of fun with audio friends and I'm tingling with excitement as I await my HF UR Speaker cable. Dave
theaudiotweak
1,793 posts
 
Okay we do agree on the potential benefit of resonance control and that it can be fun and games or maybe not.

Really exciting to hear a new breath or audio cue from a recording that I have listened to for years. That added breath that was revealed makes me want to find even more air in the recording.

I have recently added a external method of chassis tuning to my transport that can be adjusted right on the chassis. No soft materials are required or wanted. We have been doing the same with the amps and speakers for sometime. The fact that these are adjustable make for a trial of patience. While these methods allow for immediate change the fact that materials are more or less stressed they must be allowed to relax on their own into a redirected state. When they are settled and relaxed then you can fully evaluate their benefit good, better, best. Unlike wooden parts that can be tuned these methods in metal will not be affected by tempertaure or humidity. The fact is you can tune all night long to your preference and to the benefit of your sound space. All major parts of the components are adjustable in the same way inside the chassis. Again there are no bandwidth limitations from the use of damped materials . For all of this to work the units must be mechanically grounded so as to maximize collected thru put of redirected energy to ground..The whole idea and benefit is to maximize energy collection to the point of exit much like a tuned exhaust header. The user can adjust the "back pressure" to their sonic preference with out the use of soft materials. Tom, Star Sound Technologies
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