Would appreciate to hear your comments re upgrade from CT1E to CT1U interconnects. I have a full loom of HFC and am very pleased, having skimped a bit on the SC, I am in the midst of upgrading from the CT1 speaker cables (just listed) to the CT1E version. |
Petieboy12003, I agree that there are some who do not contribute at all on some threads (but not on this one) and personally, I hate those who are quick to insert their one liner/word "YMMV" without the slightest contribution. Indeed, we need a reference to which we can compare to and mentioning a brand and model helps if one has a similar setup.
But to TPG's defense, he has commented quite a bit in other threads about other cables so one has only do a bit reading to get the answer. BTW, TPG is a very kind and helpful person, in a thread I PM'ed him after reading his comments and he called me right away, a very pleasant and knowledgeable audio expert! I respect his comments and view his recommendation for HFC highly; his and other's very positive comments here has prompted me to order a CT1E last week; it looks like it will be a game changer. |
Thanks Ddraudt, have upgraded the SC to CT1E and ordered one CT1U to hear the diff with the CT1E IC. With this additional investment, I wonder if it would have been better spent on a better source or DAC.
Looking to hear the comments on the CT1UR. |
@Ddraudt: can you describe in detail about your "super-isolation", some pictures in your system if you were to set up, would help a lot. |
Practical question as most of us have a limited discretionary spending: how would you spent $20k (retail price) in HFC cables? And can you rank them in descending order of impact?
Suggested cabling:
1x power cable between wall and power conditioner
1x 1.5m digital cable
2 sets of 1.5m interconnects
1 set of speaker cable 3m |
+1 Calvinj: well said. Audiolabyrinth is known NOT to have any serious stuff except his only and beloved TL cord and he abuses Audiogon to make himself important (cfr his answers on other threads). I feel sorry for TPG and others who take him seriously in the beginning. There are many others who doubt about the quality of this high priced brand and I urge those not to stay just at the sidelines, have a loaner and then please add your 2 cents. It becomes so deja vu: power cords dont make a difference, fuses dont make a difference, how can magnetism work? Well we fly in airplanes but we dont need to understand aerodynamics, metallurgy and other disciplines to sit in one, do we?
I just enjoy the flight and we all should enjoy the music. |
@Calvinj: if you have read my comments in this thread you know I have HFC for a while (and for a couple of months in both my systems). In fact I am currently upgrading to an all CT1-U interconnects from source to amps as mentioned in my systems page of my tube system. I was referring to others that still question this technology. Hating to repeat myself (also on my system page): you need to have an open mind in this hobby, not everything is measurable or can be easily explained. Like the best dish - of course depending on the person - is, basically put, a combination of ingredients, way of cooking (yes types of pans do make a difference and no they are not cryogenically treated ;-) and enjoying it in accommodative ambiance. Enjoy the music! |
+1 Lak
/Ddraudt:
Can you please post some pictures under your systems page? (that need to be set up but would certainly help others to benefit from your experience). I totally believe in tweaking and am using composite isolation set up for my upstream equipment (wood, symposium svelte, stillpoint ultra ss). Also curious how to put on the aluminium shielding and still preserving the aesthetics of the system.
/others:
I am planning to go to full loom (again, 4th attempt) of CT1U - I have everything from source to amp as CT1U now - but am a bit wary to get "too much of the good stuff" and of course, the long burn in time. |
Calvinj, nice speakers, I always enjoyed the designs of Kevin Voecks. Why are the speakers so close to each other, can you put them on the long wall? As for amps, have you heard the current series of Conrad Johnson tube amps like the LP140/LP275 or ART amp? Tube rolling (esp line stage) gives you a lot of options.
In the mean while, my additional CT1Us are getting some hours. |
+2 Rlawry: spot on description! I started with the CT1 IC which was, as also described in my systems page, a no brainer upgrade from my NordOst Valhalla IC and I have been somewhat hooked to HFC since then with upgrades, now having a full loom CT1-U and that is where my addiction stops.
For years I have tried "giant-killers" but all of them that I have tried (in my systems) have some kind of deficiency. Even less affordable ones like NordOst is far from balanced: as we know, their Valhallas are very fast and detailed but lacking upper bass and certainly sounding (too) lean if you have a bunch of them (again, YMMV). So I was very skeptical before going back to the full loom (had HiDiamond D8 SC before), the CT1U SC are still burning in so no final verdict.
I would say the IC and digital cable are the most obvious upgrades.
On the other hand I agree that there should be a sound relationship of the values of cabling and other components (indeed, I regard cables for a while as components because they act like one and (improve) sound like one). |
Gents, can we please go back to the thread? I thought the logic "if you can not measure it, you can not hear it", especially in cabling, does not merit to be the sole one and should not. Simply because our hearing is more complex than the best instruments can capture and, often forgotten in heated discussions, that hearing is subjective.
My journey in this bottomless pit (sic) in cabling started as non believer (approaching from my left brain as IEEE engineer, WRONG!) so some of the non believers have my sympathy (to a certain point). I fully second the dogma: try it yourself.
Whilst I agree more active contributors on this particular thread would make it more plausible than the usual suspects (and maybe they would less use this forum as a chat message platform, you guys can simply pm each other, no?), the credibility of some posters like Norm (TBG) should not be treated with disdain. I have read Norm's reviews for many years and have talked to him occasionally. If you did the same, you will find that Norm is a very knowledgeable audiophile that really helps people to find their audio nirvana. He seems indeed very excited about HFC.
If HFC products were much cheaper - and I believe there will be cheaper versions/alternatives in the future - then those sneaky remarks about paying less than retail would not exist.
Please put your ego and jealousy a bit aside...thank you!
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Eager to hear comments re the adapters as I am considering them for the center and surround channels of my home theater some day and really can not imagine to have CT1-x cabling there.
I have CT1U in both systems and love them, just hoping there would a more affordable alternative to yield somewhat the same result. Any pointers?
Having not the very best experience going full loom (PAD, Audience, NordOst, HiDiamond), I am hesitant to doing that again for HFC, missing the power cords. Some $$$ is also needed to close the gap. I am upgrading my DAC first.
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I have refrained from posting on this incredible (lengthy) thread for a long while (and to some extent, reading it). If one likes HFC, as I do, I question the rationale of some to post here every week on almost the same topic/config. You know, even cheerleaders take a break. We know HFC makes a big difference, my wallet does that as well ;-)
There are different ways to audio nirvana, e.g., I sold off one HFC CT1-UR and, for the same amount, upgraded my power conditioner, some fuses and isolation devices; finally added high-quality bypass caps in the xo of my speakers. The sound quality is way much better than before.
Sometimes we old farts - I am sure John won’t take that offensively - can turn a misunderstanding to perceived hostility or more commonly, frustration into cynicism. I hate to see great people getting into unnecessary fights. Maybe PMs or better still, a phone call, would help to alleviate the misunderstanding.
Before some of you respond, I am not targeting you but only some of "the regulars". Sometimes less = more, thanks! |
