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 12 responses by sammons

You are correct Mapman - I just prefer listening to music rather than talking about it. However this forum has not only kept me entertained Ive learnt some stuff along the way so thank you to everyone who has contributed. Just trying to toss up now whether to go down the power conditioning and power cables route or to buy a new dac.
Long time lurker first time poster and as this thread is so entertaining I cant resist posting my thoughts although in hindsight they will probably be shot to pieces. I'm from NZ so I can't possibly have any connections to dealers or manufacturers. I currently have a full loom of HFC cables having rather cautiously agreed to buy a pair of enhanced speaker cables from overseas a year ago. Before the cables were sent the dealer offered me a pair of used ultimates at a very favourable price. So my first piece was a 2.5m ultimate speaker cables that were well run in. To say I was impressed is the understatement of the year and what I originally thought was a highly risky and impulsive buy soon turned into an absolute bargain in terms of the dollars I've spent on speakers and equipment upgrades. 3 ultimate interconnects soon followed. Today I received my ultimate reference speaker cables and 1 pair of ur interconnects which I've had in the system for the last 5 hours. Again my partner and I have been amazed at the improvement straight out of the box and which will I'm sure improve during the running in. They may be expensive but they have done wonders for my hiend setup.
I'm using the internal dac of a Soulution 540 CD player at the moment. I've just sold my analog setup so looking to go for a top quality dac shortly ( possibly a Vivaldi or if funds allow a trinity dac). I'm using an antipodes DX server and he recommended the resonnence dac as one of the best he had heard.
@Calvinj yes the soulution is superb. I should probably upgrade to the HFC power first but I just can't quite get over the cost of 4 cables plus conditioner even though I know it would be a fantastic improvement. I guess if I could try it out in my own system then it would make the investment easier however I can't so it's another leap of faith.
@Ddraudt - problem is I cant just get one power cord as they are US/ Schuko plugs both of which are not suitable in NZ outlets without a adaptor which to me would defeat the object . The best solution is to get the conditioner first up and then get the power cords so that in itself is a rather large financial commitment. My local dealer and Rick have been talking about this a while ago on my behalf. Rick has confirmed that there is no downside to having a NZ terminated cable to the conditioner as all the magic happens from the conditioner onwards.
Sorry ddraudt and tbg. It's not that easy. In nz we are not allowed to use non nz plugs into the walls as it would negate our home insurance in the event of a fire. Of course tourists etc can use adapters but this isn't a choice in a domestic dwelling for use in the long term. So in exploring the options to get round this crazy rule, we came up with using a nz terminated cable from wall to power conditioner and then either us or schuko terminated cables between the conditioner and components. This would get round this but hardly an ideal situation. I'm reporting this third hand of course. Other crazy rules are that we are not to advertise for sale any components that are not 230v. Bit of a bugger that as I have just sold 2 japanese voltage turntables through audiogon rather than our homegrown audio website as they pulled off my 2 auctions as soon as I mentioned 100v and step down transformers. Anyway I will get there somehow but first the dac upgrade
We'll gents I took the plunge and ordered a ultimate reference power conditioner and now trying to sell some gear to be able to afford a urr power cable to go with it. Looking forward to getting it in the system to see if it matches up to your experiences that you have kindly shared with us. Will eventually need 4 possibly 5 urr so this and next years audio purchases have already been prioritised. The dac will have to wait!!!
Well said Fplanner2000. I had no intention of ever committing the funds for cables that I have but one hfc cable made such a improvement in my system that I had to at least try another ... Then another. If it had been a marginal improvement then the journey would have been over before it had started. Anyway I'm now on the last leg with the conditioner due next month and then some HFC power cables when I can afford them. I'm not a wealthy individual by any stretch of the imagination so this may take a while but it's great to know where I'm heading.
Gents I'm looking for some advice on where to place a HFC urr power cord in my system. I have since I last wrote received the ur power conditioner and secured one ur power cable which is powering my soulution 540 which is being used as a dac. I have another ur on its way but now have a opportunity to buy a urr cable. My intention with the 3 cables is to have the ur's powering my soulution pre and power and switch the urr to the dac. Is this what you would recommend. Many thanks
Thanks gents - unfortunately the waveguide is the only place I can't put the urr cable due to local regulations (see previous posts) and not having US outlets in the wall (illegal in New Zealand). Anyway my system is sounding amazing and I'm not missing my vinyl at all (blasphemy I know but it's the truth). I'm also using a entreq grounding system which has now settled down and has cleaned up the noise amazingly well. I'd have loved to get the tripoint but I just couldn't justify the extra dollars especially as I have no opportunity to see or hear what it does. Overall the current system is the best I have had and it's stopped me trolling the net for upgrades. The best thing is that I'm now searching out different types of music to try as I have spent the last 35 years being a prog rock collector but now have a substantial classical and jazz collection with a smattering of funk, brass and country music to enjoy.
Thanks Jmcgrogan2 - exactly what I was thinking as I now only have the one source.
Thanks gents - unfortunately the waveguide is the only place I can't put the urr cable due to local regulations (see previous posts) and not having US outlets in the wall (illegal in New Zealand). Anyway my system is sounding amazing and I'm not missing my vinyl at all (blasphemy I know but it's the truth). I'm also using a entreq grounding system which has now settled down and has cleaned up the noise amazingly well. I'd have loved to get the tripoint but I just couldn't justify the extra dollars especially as I have no opportunity to see or hear what it does. Overall the current system is the best I have had and it's stopped me trolling the net for upgrades. The best thing is that I'm now searching out different types of music to try as I have spent the last 35 years being a prog rock collector but now have a substantial classical and jazz collection with a smattering of funk, brass and country music to enjoy.