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

Showing 50 responses by lak

justubes2,
Besides the mc-0.5's are you using other HFC products and if so which ones?
Thanks...

68pete or anyone else;
In your opinion, how many hours are required to break in of the MC-6 Power Distributor (the original one, not upgraded).
Thanks...

To Audiophiles that are using HFC and products:

In my main system I have a full loom of HFC including some MC-O.5's and one  MC-6 Power Distributor. I was able to add some Synergistic Research BLACK Quantum Fuses to my Yamamoto Dac and Allnic L-3000 Preamp (in addition to the HFC products I'm using) and with a little break-in time the results shocked me in a very positive manner. Similar to someone trying the HFC for the first time or a major upgrade in cables. If you have not looked at this thread on Audiogon, you should because you own it to yourself and your system for further improvement:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/synergistic-red-fuse
Just trying to pass on some good information.
Jmcgrogan2, please do give those MC-0.5's more time as others have suggested and please report back here and let us know if there is any improvement. I still have mine plugged into two different Furutech GTX-D outlets in my second system and the MC-6 power distributor in my main system, and am waiting longer before I do any serious listening.
I trust your ears and any conclussions you may come up with after further use ;-)

Hifial and 68pete; I agree, Hifial asked a really good question and I also would like to know the answer to it.

On a different note, I'm thinking one reason the Hemisphere takes so many hours to break in is because I believe it uses the Furutech GTX-D Rhodium R outlets. I own and use 5 of them and they took about 500 each to fully break in and sound consistently good.



Sometimes I wounder if we are all crazy and I include myself in the crazy group ;-)!

@ Ddraudt, Calvinj, Tbg, Rlawry and any other major user of HFC;
What power cord are you using on your amp and/or monoblocks?

Benjie,
IMO, I would stay with 10 gauge wire as others have mentioned, if you are running wire a normal length as in a typical home, to an outlet.
Romazicon;
Thanks for posting the site for review on the HFC CT-1U and the MC-0.5s. Very interesting reading!
Romazicon;
Once the Surreal Acoustic Lens is up and running, I'd be very interested in your thoughts regarding them.
Tawa,
I own a pair of the RCA adapters that I use in my second system (main system has a full loom of HFC). With the RCA adapters, you should hear a positive improvement in sound. The actual HFC should sound even better.
The adapters will give you an idea of what the entire cable will sound like, of course the higher up the chain you go, the better the sound, IMHO.
I should also add that in my second system I also use some HiDiamond products.
Tawa,
If you decide to get the HFC, RCA adapters let us know how they work out for you.
Thanks...

I had my older HF CT-U Speaker Cables upgraded to the newest CT-U and WOW! Very nice improvement, I'm very plreased.

@ddraudt 
From what I understood when I spoke to Rick, the speaker cables were totally rebuilt to make them the current model in looks and performance. Sounds like almost everything was replaced. That's all I know. To me they look like brand new speaker cables. Sorry, I don't know any other information to pass on.

@ddraudt congratulations on the return of music ;-)!

@benjie good question.

@ddraudt,
My first HF U speaker cables had spades.
My updated HF U speaker cables have bananas.
I honestly can't say that one sounds better than the other, but with my system component set up the bananas are easier for me to use.
My 3.7 Maggies have a small hex screw that I can add some pressure to the bananas however the magnetic attraction holds the bananas firmly into the back of my Plinius SA Reference amp.
I'm very pleased with the bananas.
Has anyone listened to or are there any reviews out there of any of the new Reveal High Fidelity Cables and how they sound compared to the original CT-1 etc.  just curious?
@knghifi, I'm curious as to how you are going to cook or break-in your four new MC-.05's before you place them into your system?
Thanks, knghifi,
Let us know how the new arrivals work out for you in your system after break in.

@68pete,  why not use a power strip that has multiple outlets (let's say eight or more) with a short power cord and plug that into the wall outlet. Would that work as well and be easier than using all those  3 to 1 splitters?
@knghifi 
Out of curosity, who or where did you have the replacement work done on your MC-6?
Thanks...
Additional MC-0.5's should continue to make an improvement. I now have 15.
t_ramey, I believe what you described above is normal and part of the break-in process. Others have noted a long break-in period for the MC-0.5's and some people report improvement as soon as the MC-0.5's are plugged in. In my case, there is a break-in period.
I've only used the MC-0.5's in the same outlet that my various components are plugged into and all of my outlets (5) are on dedicated circuits.

Hello Pete, interesting update, thanks for posting.
Any pictures of the new Pro Elite RCA interconnects?
I received a new Hemisphere on Monday to demo and must break in, should be interesting.

@68pete, I agree with jmcgrogan2 and Rick with the placement of the power cord on your CDP. In my system, I heard the most significant improvement when I added my CT-1UR Helix Power Cord to my Dac.
My second choice would be to power your Hemisphere with that power cord.
Break-in might be a week or two with a new HFC power cord.

@aniwolfe, the MC 05’s seem to sound the best on the wall outlet that other gear is plugged into vs the MC-6.
@debjit_g, of course, the answer you didn't want is the suggestion of trial and error because all systems can be different. With that said based on my HFC experience, I'd say Dac to preamp. Remember the interconnects need to stay in place for several days and many hours of use for the full break-in to take place. If you change the location it will be necessary to once again break-in on the different equipment. Also, there is usually a lingering effect of the magnetic conduction (a day or two) when you remove the interconnect etc.
@debjit_g, you might find the answer you are looking for by reading the following Audiogon forum: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/high-fidelity-reveal-interconnects (if you have not done so).
I don't remember if someone tried both and wrote a comparison, and I don't care to reread all those pages.
I truly believe you would get an honest answer if you were phone HFC with that question.
Please post if you should get an answer to your question, I know many others would like to know the answer.
68pete, one of the most significant improvements I heard in my system was when I added a UR PC to my Dac.
@t_ramey, you asked a good question regarding the MC-0.5's vs the Nordost qv2's. I'd be interested in hearing from someone that had tried both. Wow! a product that costs more than HFC...(LOL)!
@calvinj, I wondered where you disappeared to?
Good to see that you are still around!
@68pete, there is a difference in the music and prefer the UR
Helix power cord over the UR power cord, one obtains more of the High Fidelity sound (just like going up the line of any High Fidelity product).
Only you will know if it's worth the extra expense...diminishing returns is a word that comes to mind.
If possible find a good price on the used market.
68pete,
Please share your thoughts regarding the two power cords. Breal-in will take a while but you already know that.