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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

Showing 10 responses by jay23

jay23
210 posts
 
I have a few questions for those more experienced with High Fidelity Cables products:

1) I’d like to repeat the question, has anyone compared the MC-6 and MC-6 Hemisphere?

2) In the HFC description of their power conditioners, they state, "Why Magnetic Conduction and the MC-6 Hemisphere over other power conditioners? Traditional power conditioning requires electronic devices such as transformers, inductors, capacitors, and even resistors. These devices rob the system of electrical efficiency causing some of the electrons to be taken or flittered to earth ground in hopes to eliminate noise. This old approach literally wastes the vital energy, discarding both good and bad and never knowing the difference. This results is a slower, more muted and even veiled representation of the music...The MC-6 Hemisphere is uniquely different in every way, using an entirely different approach patented and created in North America."

While I agree about their description of most traditional power conditioners, if the Magnetic Conduction Technology and waveguide system are efficient, what makes the MC-6 and Hemisphere 5 amps inefficient? This is as bad as active power conditioners!

3) I see that many of you are using a multitude of MC-5s - will auditioning one be enough to truly get an idea for their effectiveness?

Thanks for any input you can provide!

macdude - If you’re still reading this thread, and really aren’t going to just try the MC-5s for yourself, I’m going to be auditioning them with the original Quantum QRT products.

jay23
210 posts
 
Thanks for the answers guys!

hifial:
Please do do let me know if you get any clarification about the 10 amp limit.


Anyone with knowledge of the Hemisphere internals:

I have determined that there seem to be 6 versions of the wave guides (listed below). Do you know which one is used in the Hemisphere?

CT-1 Enhanced - Wave Guide V1 modules
CT-1 Ultimate - Wave Guide V2 and V3 modules
CT-1 Ultimate Reference - Wave Guide V4 (?) modules
CT-1 Ultimate Reference (?) - Helix Wave Guide modules
Professional Series - Professional Series modules


Also, for those that own 4 or more of the MC-0.5s, have you seen this High Fidelity Cables YouTube video (    https://youtu.be/sjJFCiEmAr4 )?

Rick seems to be using the Ultimate Reference Helix Power Conditioner, Professional Series Power Cables, Professional Series Speaker Cables, and probably Professional Series RCA Interconnects. Even with all of these magnets (and more), the 4 MC-05s make a substantial difference to the noise floor. Did 4 MC-0.5s make a similar difference in your systems?

Thanks for the responses!
jay23
210 posts
 
hifial:

I understand what the website says, but the UR Helix products use the CT-1 Ultimate Reference Wave Guide. It seems they modify a Wave Guide with the Helix technology/magnets.

From the Ultimate Reference Helix Power Conditioner page, "Eight outlets magnetically connected point-to-point in series with three ultimate reference-level waveguides using our most powerful helix array of spherical magnets inside." 

So it is likely the Hemisphere uses either the CT-1 Enhanced or Ultimate module. I'm just wondering if someone knows for sure, or has peaked inside, if it is openable.
jay23
210 posts
 
hifial,

Thanks for all of the information you've procured! Especially about the 10 amp "limit".

In regards to the Helix Waveguides, I understand the internals and construction are fully different. However, even if you look at the module in the video for the CT-1 Ultimate Reference Helix Power Cable (http://www.highfidelitycables.com/products/power/ct1urh/), you will see it is designated as the "CT-1 Ultimate Reference".

That is why I was interested in what the modules in the Hemisphere are designated. The different module types likely indicate different strengths or quality levels of magnets. Given HFC states, "The MC-6 hemisphere may not represent the most exotic product built by High Fidelity Cables for power conditioning," gave me more interest about its modules' designation.
 


jay23
210 posts
 
Has anyone tried using the Hemisphere with 6 MC-0.5s plugged in (especially with a 1 foot or shorter power cord), compared with using the Hemisphere with your system, and the 6 MC-0.5s plugged into the wall?

With people finding greater benefits plugging the MC-0.5s into the wall, I would think increasing the strength of the Hemisphere’s Helix technology's magnetism - closer to the wall - could provide added benefits.

Also, has anyone considered upgrading to the NCF receptacles?
jay23
210 posts
 
The MC-1 Pro looks like Mickey ears, and a Disney lawsuit waiting to happen! 😂

I hope it is as good as claimed. This seems like a deviation from their approach, and the MC-1 Pro description seems to be filled with contradictions.

The description of the Hemisphere says:

"Traditional power conditioning requires electronic devices such as transformers, inductors, capacitors, and even resistors. These devices rob the system of electrical efficiency causing some of the electrons to be taken or flittered to earth ground in hopes to eliminate noise. This old approach literally wastes the vital energy, discarding both good and bad and never knowing the difference. This results is a slower, more muted and even veiled representation of the music. Until now it was understandably the only choice engineers had because there was no technology to properly "condition" electricity."

"The MC-1 Pro has a new active circuit that helps strengthen the magnetic system. This “active” magnetic system exists only in our Pro Elite power conditioners but operates a bit differently. This system helps to better center electrons and functions as if it were wired in series. A simple series of capacitors are used to help the magnets center the electrons."

"Its filtering approach is also closer to that of a traditional power conditioner. In short, the active MC-1 Pro has more magnetic power and does a much better job at cleaning the signal as well and the spinning electron wave we call power."

Look at how active is quoted. This seems to support that the capacitors fill their usual role. MC-1 Pro = a more powerful MC-0.5 combined with capacitive filtering?

"Without its active portion, the MC-1 Pro already offers up magnetic power up to Ultimate Reference levels."

I wonder what explains the big difference in price with the Ultimate Reference power cable?
jay23
210 posts
 
@68pete
I did some more digging and it looks like the "active portion" equals some capacitors, resistors, and op-amp.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/f4/21/28/12f5430c1927bb/US20160219701A1-20160728-D00000....
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160219701A1/en?oq=20160219701
jay23
210 posts
 
yet anyone who has heard the Magnets will agree...there is an improvement in Sound Quality, Soundstage, and Transparency.

Any stereo, no matter the price, will be improved by the use of HFC Magnetic Innovations.

This will never be true of ANY product. 

Period.
😜
jay23
210 posts
 
My point is merely that not everyone will hear a difference, and of those that do, not all will consider it an improvement. Any stereo may be improved for your tastes. To say anything more is a gross generalization.
jay23
210 posts
 
@cheapbob
You said "there is an improvement" which implies better. If you think everyone likes the sound, check out fleschler's rants.

hyper hyperbole = the best thing since sliced bread
gross generalization = "ANY stereo system will be improved"

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