Mapman, yes that is what Tom said.
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
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
Showing 50 responses by tbg
Geoffkait, if you know that current flowing induces a magnetic field, why were you asking about how magnets can affect something without mass? Ever run a magnet along a cable attached to your speakers? What I don't understand is how a constant magnetic field from the magnets can affect noise from EMI or RFI, especially without also affecting the audio signal. |
Lak, I totally understand your circumstance. I been there too much recently. Not only the top HFC Ultimate Reference ic and speaker cables but in addition their Ultimate Reference Rhodium pc AND the Tripoint Troy Signature have greatly strained my resources. But my music just totally eclipses anything I've ever heard before and further knowing what has gone into these device both in terms of research and development and parts and labor justifies buying them at least for me at my age and experience. I remember many years ago on hearing the Infinity ServoStatics that cost $2200!!! That was more than the Mercury Capri that I had just bought! But I had to find the way to do so. I did. I hope you also can find a way. |
Charles1dad, well in retrospect and not having removed all prior HFC stuff perhaps a better way to say this is that it gave the biggest jump. When Rick was here, we put it between the wall and his Waveguide power center and after it settled in and we listened, I just looked at him in disbelief. But I would certainly try a HFC pc first if you can try pcs then ics and speaker wire, etc. |
Tsushima1, I certain have experience the loss of volume with the HFC speaker wires on the Enhanced, Ultimates, and Ultimate Reference, but it is not on all recording. This just mystifies me as does this effect going away. Since I have a most limited understanding of what is going on in these cables all that I can say is that the effect is part of what is going on in these cables. Thus far I have found no other cables that can compete with the HFCs. Interestingly the HFC power cords on amps and to a lessor degree on preamps increase volume. So they cancel the effects of the speaker wires. |
Jmcgrogan2, I suspect that no one else would have the same cables as Calvinj compared with the Ultimate Reference cables. As you probably know I think other than saying one man's opinion and experiences, postings are worthless as all of our systems, rooms, hearing, etc. Calvinj liked the cables. I suspect that everyone would, but really don't care if they don't. |
Ddraudt, like you I first heard the URR. You were there, I think, when I put the Ultimate in. I would tell them to buy the two URRs. Put one on the ac filter and one on the stereo amp. My problem is having mono blocks. I'm to get a new music server which will have six power supplies. Initially he was going to need three pcs to run it. Now he has redesigned it to require only one pc. |
Jmcgrogan2, I think Calvinj means without the HFCables of all sorts that he has. I took only one HFC URR pc and the full loom of HFC UR ics and speaker wires with me to New Mexico. Now that I'm back to my big system, I realize how important other HFC URR pcs are, as is the HFC Waveguide power center, the Tripoint Troy Signature, and the Star Sound Tech. Apprentice platforms. I think the HFC Ultimate Reference Rhodium through one's system are vital. I hate it as they are too expensive. I have never tried the HFC Ultimate Reference but have tried the Ultimate. Unfortunately the Ultimate has very little of the magic of the URRs. |
Jmcgrogan2, given this exchange I think you can see the fundamental reality that no one has heard many fine cables. It is irrelevant to me that the Tara Labs were not really what the HFCs were compared to. Having not really heard much that interests me with Tara cables heard at shows does not bother me. What Calvinj says he heard does. |
Leicachamp, my first two cables from HFC were a pair of the original CT-1s and a pair of Enhanced. When I first put the CT-1s in I was shocked at what I heard. They did not sound like anything I heard before, being so extended on the top end and so dynamic. Then I put the Enhanced in and had to wait two days before they surpassed the CT-1s and extended down into the bass. From that point on I had full looms. The Ultimates took much longer to reach their best and the Ultimate Reference even longer. Also at each step up, the cables hate more and more being moved at all. In only one instance did I try gradually replacing my then reference cables one at a time. The speaker cables greatly complemented the ics. So I really cannot answer your question. I will say, however, that even one of the HFC power cords, especially the URR top of the line will greatly surpass the benefits of even the Ultimate Reference ics and speaker wires. |
Ptss, all threads soon attract posters such as you that destroy the exchange of experiences into "mine is bigger than yours" contests. I long ago attended the Long Island audio society meetings which always had similar contests. A friend and I frequently laughed at this nonsense, until we were thrown out. There is a shill or two on this thread, but it is not anyone using the HFCables. |
Jmcgrogan2, well in addition to sounding great each of my cables takes time every night to walk my dog. The neighbors' jaws drop so I have to hold the walking off until after dark, and this disrupts my listening. But hey, I don't want to be unappreciative. Oh, my cables, on reading what you say, are angry with you and promise to email yours to tell them what a twit you are. |
Calvinj, I'm newly back from spending July and August in the mountains of northern New Mexico and from an audio point of view at last able to hear everything together and well broken in. I had my new music server for only three days before I left and took it with me, but most of the HFC pcs stayed here as did my Tripoint Troy Signature and my big room. Everything is sounding wondrous and real. Yping, yes Rick also uses Ric, but there is another Rick Schultz in audio. |
Calvinj, I've only owned one piece of Mcintosh gear, the model 78 tuner. Other than the looks of their gear, I see or rather hear nothing that would cause me to ever buy any of it. I remember going to a CES show some years ago, when two guys were discussing new Mcintosh speakers. One was a dealer and raved about them. I noticed a Mcintosh room and decided to give them a listen. As I walked in a young lady welcomed me and gave me brochures. I took two steps into the room and heard them. I turned around and left. The young lady asked if anything was wrong. I lied and said that I had forgotten to bring my camera. Years ago, I knew a guy in the Dallas area who had one of every model Mcintosh had ever made. He had a two story home and on every step of his stairs, he had two pieces on each side. He also had shelves in one of the upstairs bedroom with more components on each. I wonder if anyone collects different samples of scat. |
Johnbstiuu, in my small room in New Mexico, I used my only HFC URR pc into a special power strip with Hubble duplexes and had every component plugged into it. It was better than having only the amp with the HFC URR on it. But earlier when I first got one HFC URR, I plugged it into the wall and into the HFC waveguide power center. That improvement was a sensational improvement in the sound. Later I got three more HFC URR pcs and each added a great improvement on whatever device it was on. I think that were you to have a fine power strip you would get a big improvement adding a HFC URR pc but would get ever increasing sound with the addition of more URRs. |
Ddraudt, I have just tried another very good power cord that is fairly inexpensive and gives easy to listen to music. Then I put the HFC URR back on and heard the revelation of realism. These best HFC cables and especially the power cords just kill all previous thoughts that I was approaching realism. It is the decay of notes that yields this. It is just wondrous. But, of course, I could attend many live performances were many of those that I listen to still alive. And this is all very fragile. One Stillpoint Ultra Mini of the four was not in contact and the magic was lost until I fixed it. |
Geoffkait, I once had mu metal ics, which had a memory of how they were rolled. I don't remember why they were made, but I thought they were of no value. But they had no magnets associated with them. You guys are trying to make HFCables into normal cables where resistance, impedance and capacitance are the major concerns. |
Fplanner2000, I still remember when Rick and I had put one HFC URR pc from the wall into the HFC WGpc and listened briefly before going for lunch. One and a half hours later I remember hearing the first few notes and looking at Rick in disbelief. He just smiled. It is one of several "jaw dropping" experiences I've had in the last few years. Later, I replaced pcs on the preamp and amp with exceeding great experiences but not of the level as on the ac filter. You will get accustomed to this sound, so every once in a while go back to your prior ac pc. |
I should follow up on Ddraudt's comments. Basically HFC wave guides do NOT like to be in contact with wooden floors or carpet. This is a major issue with the HFX UR speaker cables. I don't even like to have any part of the cable in contact with the floor, so I have the wave guides about 24 inches off the floor using 18 KVA broken isolators with Rightway Audio isolators mounted on them. My HFC UR ics are hanging in space, and my HFC URR pcs are on Rightway Audio isolators. I find the HFC cables make every part of ones system critical, but wow the benefits one gains are, I thought to be unobtainable, but realism is possible. |
Fluffers, I think that you can turn off the tubes. Just don't move the cables. I have no tube components now, but I used to have your concern. I did turn off the amp when not playing music. I did leave the preamp on, however. Breakin may take somewhat longer, however. I now have a Koda K 10 line stage, whose maker say can be turned off at night, but I think it is actually the case that it benefits from being turned off. I also turn off the BMC M2 amps out of concern about electricity consumption. |
Ddraudt, it seems like I'm always waiting for something breaking in. Last night with nothing changed, I had a major jump in the quality of the sound stage on every recording that I played. I find breakin comes in big jumps-not at all smoothly. Also even once broken in, the HFCables hate to be moved even slightly. I had not moved any for at least six days. |
Ddraudt, I just noticed the layman explanation of how the HFCables work on their web page. I think most here know that any current flow induces a magnetic field and that any magnetic field induces current flow. The idea that magnets and ease the flow of signal along the connecting cables is pretty well captured in the video. http://www.highfidelitycables.com |
Fluffers, I am torn between recommending the speaker cables next and recommending a single power cord from the wall to your ac filter, or plugin strip. I guess I still remember the sound improvement when Rick and I listened to the improvement after about an hour and a half after we listened with another pc and also to the addition of a HFC pc. I remember stopping in my tracks in disbelief. |
Calvinj, I understand your thirst for warm, textured, rich and organic sound. But I must say that I have found the HFCables to have cut off the road back to this. I have often had all tube electronic and often only horn speaker systems with SET amps. In conjunction with the Tripoint Troy Signature, I find the HFCables make tube electronic too lacking in resolution and slow to work well with the sound I can get with solid state electronics to be satisfying. I think one can have a very musical system that can make you sit back and enjoy the music or you can have a system that makes you feel you are present when and where the music was recorded. The latter is what you get with the HFC and perhaps gives you the sound that you would get were you the microphones, and the former is what you might hear were you in row N at the symphony but which lacked much ambience and much of the high end as the audience was absorbing this information. Since I love to hear many jazz performances where the artist is dead, I relish the HFC sound. I want realism not just good sounding music. |
Guys, I am merely stating what I have found personally. Calloway, I have heard the Chalice but not under good circumstances and have not been able to avail myself of your kind offer. Please also know that I have had perhaps 20 tube amps and probably 8 or 9 tube preamps, including what I consider the best, my Exemplar XP-2. Amps have always been more of an issue, as my power needed have varied as I have gone from compression drivers in horns to dynamic drivers in small boxes. This is going from 103 db efficiency to 86 db. I have had amps with 1.56 watts output and amps with 300 watts output. The best amp I have ever heard was made by Western Electric and use 2 WE 205 tubes putting out 1.56 watt into a beat up Altec 604. If only there had been two. I realize, however, that some music would not have been reproduced well on this system. Finally, I have experienced miracles with the Tripoint Troy Signature, the StillPoints Ultras, the Star Sound Apprentices, the Koda K 10 preamp, and the HFC cables. Had I these devices long ago, my conclusions might be quite different. |
Charles1dad, I think that we are getting very close to the maximum fidelity in systems, much like HD tv makes everyone look awful. But there are definitely taste differences. I often feel guilty enough in reviews to noted that no one may hear this component, wire, etc., as I do in my system. I spend lots of time making sure that everything is well broken in. Right now I am awaiting getting a full loom of cables rather than mixing them in with the High Fidelity cables in my system as I think the HFCs may hurt the sound of the review cables. |
Ketcham, I have wooden floors and the HFC speaker wires hate such floors as they also hate carpeted floors. In both cases I find that having them have no contact with the floor anywhere AND having a ceramic isolator between them and whatever you have holding them off the floor also is important. None of my interconnects is allowed to contact with the floor either. I also don't find wood is an adequate static isolator, only ceramics work. |
I was quite impressed with the first HFC Waveguide power center and then thought the first production version I received was even better. Recently, I got one based on the technology in the HFC Ultimate Reference Rhodium power cords. Frankly I thought I was hearing about as far as this new technology could take us, but when I am listening I just cannot do anything but listen to everything I can lay my hands on. I thought that the Ultimate Reference Rhodium pcs were the most important piece in the puzzle but now it is the Waveguide. |