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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 t_ramey

t_ramey
649 posts
 
I received two of the mc-05’s today. My first HF product. Began experimenting with my video setup first by plugging one into the wall socket my Surgex is plugged into and the other into the Surgex itself on the same receptacle the plasma tv is plugged into. Noticed an improvement in clarity and definition after about 5-10 minutes. But got even better results when I took out the wall mc-05 and put it in the Surgex into the same receptacle the blu ray player is plugged into. It did take 5-10 minutes for it to take effect after unplugging from the wall into the Surgex.

Haven’t begun playing around yet with my two channel setup but it seems people are letting their mc-05’s burn in for 100 hours or so before noticing good improvements in their audio. Are there ill effects of plugging and unplugging these mc-05’s in different places in the audio setup or is it best to plug them in one spot and let them do their thing for several days?
t_ramey
649 posts
 
Thanks Pete.

Just tried to order some more and noticed they’re already sold out. :(
They must be a hot item.
t_ramey
649 posts
 
I initially bought two of the mc 05’s and played around with them on my video setup and noticed picture quality improved after several minutes. I kept one at the outlet for my video and put the other at the outlet for my stereo. Things did sound a little subdued and laid back at first and kinda hazy but after 4 or 5 days things really opened up and vocals especially were sounding crisp and clear and a little forward, which I like.

I got 4 more mc 05’s on Wednesday this week and placed one in each of the two remaining outlets in the room that’s on the same circuit and put the extra two on the stereo outlet with a 3-1 prong so now now there’s 3 there. Everything kinda took a step back initially but after two days it’s sounding better and hoping by Sunday or Monday it gets even better.

To those that have several of these, what’s the ongoing benefit? Does the sound become more and more natural after each set is added?
t_ramey
649 posts
 
Thanks ddraudt for sharing that someone has 101 of the mc-0.5's. Just when I think I'm off the deep end it's nice to know there's someone crazier than I am.  :)

I have 14 at the moment and all on the same circuit on 4 outlets. As much as I'm impressed with what they do to my stereo system I'm just as "wowed" by the affect on my 5 yr old plasma tv. As a bonus it's like I got one of the new LG oled tv's.  
t_ramey
649 posts
 
I’m curious to know how many have experimented with the mc-0.5’s at the specific outlet that the stereo system is plugged into versus the other outlets that are also on the same circuit. I have 4 outlets in the same room as my system and there could be more that are also on the same circuit but haven’t gone that far yet. So the other three outlets in the room currently each have 3 mc-0.5’s and just recently I got another order of two that I have placed on the stereo outlet so it now has 5 mc-0.5’s.

Just wondering if I take away some from of the other outlets, say two from each leaving one, and add to the daisy chain that’s on the stereo outlet if that’s more beneficial or just keep them where they are at. I saw a video of Rick at a trade show and it appeared he had 15 or 16 of them all in one outlet so just 
t_ramey
649 posts
 
I started with one in each outlet around the room and then was able to put a 3-1 splitter at each outlet and now have two splitters at the stereo outlet. What's funny is as I would add a few at a time I noticed the music would take a step back but then improve after 4 or 5 days but my plasma tv that is also in the room would look better almost immediately.

I have found, and am curious if you guys have noticed this, when I come home at the end of the day and fire up the system it seems after 20 to 30 minutes everything kicks up a notch and really sounds good. Which I know is usually the case, especially for tubes, but this is a little different. Same for the tv, after so many minutes the picture will improve in detail and color.  Almost seems like when the components start to use the power line it takes a bit to gel with what the magnets are doing. Or maybe I'm just crazy...
t_ramey
649 posts
 
I've been enjoying my mc-0.5's in my system and shared a few with a friend and he noticed quite an improvement in his setup as well. He asked me what difference is there between these and the Nordost qv2's.  Anybody have a chance to compare the mc-0.5 to a Nordost qv2? I know Nordost doesn't use magnets but from little reading they seem to be trying to accomplish the same thing. Just wondering if anyone has compared the differences in sound and performance. 
t_ramey
649 posts
 
@lak 

I was told that one qv2 equals about 5 or 6 of the mc0.5's so they could be cheaper when you look at it that way. But after reading this dagago review I'm not sure I would like the qv2 as I don't want to add any warmth to my system.

https://www.dagogo.com/nordost-qrt-system-review
t_ramey
649 posts
 
Hey guys, got a question about the mc-0.5's. I'm wondering how long are the lingering effects of the mc-0.5 when taken out of the circuit? I sent a question to HF but was curious to see if any of you have had any experience with this. Does it take several days for the ac line to go back to what it was before the mc-0.5 was installed? I know I've read some comments on how its hard to evaluate changes when plugging and unplugging HF products because of the lingering effects of the magnets. Just curious to know if anybody has a good handle on how long those effects last.
t_ramey
649 posts
 
Thanks for the heads up 68pete!

Just saw this...

https://audiobacon.net/2018/05/14/high-fidelity-cables-mc-1-pro-vs-mc-0-5-power-conditioners/
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