It's as if some of you haven't actually read this thread at all, many comparative brands have been named. You all need to read what's been written in this 'very long' thread. |
Hifil,
Honestly I see your point but I must say Tbg makes the same example as I did earlier, multiple brands combined with multiple opinions= ?
The Cable Company is referenced for obvious reasons, they have these cables available for audition. They offer a practical and direct way to hear this cable in 'your own system', what's a better way to decide if you want /considering something to purchase? The loan service isn't free and why should it be? The user charge is modest and is worth more than multiple opinions/comparisons.
It sure helped me make my decision to buy them following the in home audition. Why are you tired of people recommending the valuable service? Listening to any cable(in your system) when possible is by far the best method |
The CT-1 would seem to be a tremendous value. It is the" entry level" of the High Fidelity line, it will still be an upgrade compared with many cables in the marketplace. |
Hi Tbg,
Does Rick's Wave Guide Power Conditioner have a similar system impact as the Tripoint Troy or is the effect dissimilar? I realize they're two different approaches/ concepts. Given my High Fidelity CT-1Ulitimate experience I'd imagine that the Wave Guide is "special" as the Tripoint has certainty proven to be.
Thanks,
Charles, |
Tbg,
One of the problems with high End audio is vocabulary. Terms and words have different meaning for different users and thus varying connotation. Musical in my use is a compliment and is the antithesis of artificial/hifi sound. Musical is synonymous with natural and realism. Musical implies that the message and emotion of music is conveyed.
Tbg based on your comment musical has an alternative connotation and it seems you associate this term with a 'pleasing coloration' rather than "real". For me musical = real, organic, natural etc. So it appears we use this term to express different ideas.
Charles, |
Tbg,
Yes exactly my point! We probably like very similar sound but may differ in our verbiage to describe what we hear. Natural and realism are the highest compliments I can give an audio component. The High Fidelity Ultimate and Enhanced cable earned these two terms after hearing them. |
Rick is definitely on a roll of creativity, it's hard to suppress talent. |
Fplanner,
That was well said and true. Upon placing the CT1-U digital cable in my system there was an immediate improvement. However over a period of weeks the sound quality continued an upward climb. In hind sight probably a couple of months to reach its ultimate potential. This addition to my system is a near profound positive effect (one single cable from transport to DAC !).
Charles, |
Tbg,
My experiences in recent years has me leaning toward your conclusions on the impact of "high quality" accessory products. What in your opinion has more system impact, HF Wave Guide Power conditioner or the Tripoint Troy, is this a fair comparison? Which would you recommend more enthusiastically?
Charles, |
Yes I've come to appreciate the substantial contributions properly chosen accessories can make on an already solid foundation system. Duelund CAST capacitors, High Fidelity CT-1U digital cable, Tripoint Troy(lucky to obtain used) and Star Sound Apprentice platforms have been nearly phenomenal in what they've done for my audio system, truly superb products. They elevate major components that were on a high performance plane to begin with.
Charles, |
Audiolabyrinth,
You have to trust what"you" hear and have confidence in your personal assessment regardless of what others may say of your findings. I wouldn't advocate that cables and accessories always trump components. However in certain situations their impact can be startling and exceed what one might have predicted. Totally subjective and each case is unique.
Charles, |
Jmcgrogan2,
I'm assuming a practical approach. Once you've settled on the fundamental audio components in your system, then careful cable and accessory selection come into consideration. I don't believe in putting the cart before the horse method.
Charles, |
Audiolabyrinth,
My "cart before the horse" comment was simply a way of describing my individual approach, nothing more. I have no idea how you construct your system or what its current status happens to be. I make the assumption on this site that we're adults and are capable of doing what they feel is best forttheir needs.
Charles, |
Tbg,
I agree in that given the magnets and construction required, balanced cable may not be feasible with this design. In truth the HF cables are so excellent that RCA vs XLR becomes moot. I wouldn't obsess over this issue, just buy them and enjoy their superb sound.
Charles, |
John,
You raise some good points and of course there's no perfect anything that lacks flaws. However there are varying degrees of compromise and some potent strengths can dwarf small blemishes. The HF cables have exceptional transient performance but aren't "razor" sharp,"ultra" fast, IOW they aren't artificial or hyped . They just sound natural (what a beautiful word) and their note preservation and decay is superb in my opinion. They are re producers of music rather than attention seeking hifi show offs.
Charles, |
Tbg,
I was responding specifically to John's point regarding inevitable sonic tradeoff characteristics. He cited transient vs decay. |
Calvin,
I agree that comparisons of cables are fair game. This long thread has been very interesting and has remained on topic, lets keep that standard intact. |
John,
Keep in mind that the basic HF CT1 is a premium level product compared to a vast majority of cables available. The upper line HF cables do improve as you go higher but these are relative scale comparisons. If you determine that you really like the basic version be happy and don't even worry about their upper level cables. That "entry level CT1 is truly high end.
Charles, |
Hi John,
You're a welcome contributor here and there's absolutely no reason to leave. We're all mature adults who share a similar passion, music and quality audio equipment. I hope you reconsider your stance and post your CT1 impressions on this thread as I respect your perspectives and insight.
Charles, |
The only HF cable in my system is the CT1-U and its impact is significant and much appreciated. I consider it an outstanding addition to my digital source. Mcondon's comments aren't surprising, different system and ears. No matter how good a product is someone somewhere is going to have a contrary opinion. Exactly why there's no universal best of anything. |
Tboooe,
This is a very long thread with hundreds of posts and it's possible that you missed some. I posted well over a year ago that I heard the CT1-E and the CT1-U in my system. The enhanced version was excellent and honestly the ultimate version was a step above that. For someone desiring a premium level digital cable I'd enthusiastically recommend either. I didn't hear the standard CT1but would imagine that it is very good ( same magnetic principles).In my system they sound beautifully natural and provide organic bliss with superior resolution.
Charles, |
I feel the same as Lak and other similar responders. When all is said and done, all that's relevant is the sound quality. Technical information is interesting and measurements surely have a role. Actual listening is the dominant determinant for success or failure in one's audio system. If it doesn't sound good you won't keep it for long (or at all) despite the scientific claimed advantages it supposedly has.
Charles |
Hi Tbg,
To be clear, is it your opinion that the HFC power cables offer more improvement and value to a system vs their IC and SC if one had to pick and choose?
Thanks, |
|
If Fplanner2000 and Tbg both say they heard the Tara Labs cable at RMAF this past weekend, why question their credibility? They were actually there and they are certainly more believable than someone who didn't attend the show it would seem. |
+1 Calloway. Certainly some tube components sound as Tbg described, but broad brush painting is very misleading. No way can all tube electronics be group in this stereotypical manner.HFC and the Tripoint Troy with my tubed system is utterly natural and realistic. There's no syrup, mud or veiling, there's much purity of sound. No doubt that Calloway is hearing superb honesty and purity in his fantastic system.
Charles, |
Calloway,
Thanks, I've admired your Chalice amplifier based system for quite some time. |
Hi Tbg,
Fair enough, we all acknowledge that these are just individual subjective impressions. I was simply responding to your Troy with tubes comments. I'm not in position to judge your outcomes, for me this is a sublime combination.
Best Regards,
Charles, |
Calloway,
Your post is insightful and honest, insecurity can manifest as envy or outright jealousy regrettably. There is an upper echelon of nearly every product catagory,High End audio isn't alone in this regard. Automobiles,luxury homes,watches/jewelry, clothing and on and on. A broad spectrum exist for both quality and cost, value is an individual judgement. what people choose to spend(or not spend) is their business.
I have my limits as do most everyone else. If someone is able to spend multiples of my self imposed budget why would that be of any concern to me? It seems it's better to be happy with what you're able to afford and not worry about how other adults spend their disposable income. |
Mapman,
DNM could certainly be an excellent cable, higher price in audio does not always equal better, no question. Lower cost systems can outperform more expensive ones sometimes. I just would not worry about how others allocate their money was my point. |
Hi calloway,
Given the ultra quality level of your system I must say that it is admirable a relatively inexpensive tweak has such noticeable positive impact. I do find that impressive.
Charles, |
