Calvinj, I am told that my AMS servers is soon to be shipped. But we will be out-of-town for Thanksgiving and January is an entire waste. |
@tbg I'm hoping to slow my office down a little bit so I can road trip. I want to hear your system but time is always tight. I will come down when I can slow it down. |
Calvinj, My first Pro pc went from the wall to the HFC Waveguide power center. This allowed a quieter background and thus more detail. My second one was from the HFC power center to the H-Cat amp. It resulted in a more involving image, more ambience, more human noises, and more defined and accurate instrument sound. With this amp, everything just sounds so right.
I hesitate to invite you down now as I am limited to vinyl sources. |
The Pro Series is the only high fidelity item I haven't heard. I hope that I get the opportunity to listen soon. What are the differences that are hearing so far from the other series. |
Ddraudt, what is wrong with "realism?" I now am hearing with largely the same equipment as you, what I never thought would be possible. I cannot really say that I feel like I am at the recording event, but rather it is like I where the mikes are. |
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I love the Pro power cords. Unbelievable soundstage realism, even compared to the URR helix. I have 2 pro's. I'd love to have more but am trying to avoid debtors prison. ;-)
I have one pro to my power distribution box and one to the amp so the amp sees 2 PRO pc/s in the power system. (amp is actually custom amp, preamp and DAC in one chassis).
My system is preforming in such a way as to be pushing the boundaries of
known possibility. Time and again, I am presented with unobtainium and a want to describe it. A situation a gladly find myself in.
Cheers D |
Calloway, There are liabilities to being a reviewer, namely that one typically hears a full loom. I am finally drawing the line with the Pros. Fortunately, Rick had nothing available to compare with the Pros. |
Norm..i am sure it was amazing. My CT-1 PCs, 3 of them, are just superb. They have fully broken in and have made an incredible improvement.My guess is that 1+1+1 probably = 5 with these pcs...Just great.. |
A complete suite of HFC's new "Pro" line was demonstrated at the RMAF. These cables have 17 inch waveguides and Rick was offering a seminar on magnetics in audio.
I did not know the speakers or what they would have sounded like with the lesser HFC cables. |
Juliejoema, yes, i have noticed this also, but were you to move the HFCs much you might have to wait awhile to hear them as they were earlier. I left all of my HFCs unused for two months. Now three weeks since returning they are back. But every night they are ready to go in about ten minutes.
I would also add that I find it more than smoothness. Especially in live recordings, I am there. It is totally involving. I must say that I think the power cords are most important. I recently tried one on my Nantais/Lenco turntable. The Exemplar charged Portal pc had been quite good, but the HFC CT-1 UR pc just was a "wow", although expensive, improvement. |
With three kids doing hockey, soccer, and cycling, I don't get as much regular listening to music as I'd like. (Falling asleep at 10pm after coming back from practice, after leading a training ride is becoming an all too common occurrence.)
I have noticed, however, that with the HF cables (power/IC/speaker) it seems like my system no longer takes about 30 minutes to warm up to the point that it is sounding really smooth, as it used to with my other cables before adding the HF cables. Anyone else notice this, or is it just me? |
One of the CT-1U IC's is new with only about 60 hours, the other three IC's/speaker cables have varying amounts of use, as do my URR Power Cords and Conditioners. I have had the full loom only about 50 hours totals, so I am not sure which components are still breaking in, perhaps mainly the newer U IC, but breaking in they are. If the others here are correct, I expect to continue to hear additional break-in for at least a while longer. |
Rlawry, thanks for the report in you HF cables! I like you descriptions of the improvements.
they could sound better for another 450 hours.
I wouldn't worry about moving the wires. most of the break in on HF cables is about magnetic permeation, of wire and components which does not
get lost in a move. IMO, break in from moving only takes a few hours, a day at the most. New components in the system take longer to permeate but they would need their own break in time anyway.
If you change the support or damping on an HF cable it will change the sound permanently.
Enjoy
D |
Lak, do a Google search for ultrasonic record cleaners. I have the Ultrasonic V8 unit. It is somewhat cumbersome to use, but you can clean many records at the same time. Unfortunately, none of these vacuum off the records as they use air drying.
I would be very interested in research on ultrasonic damage to records. The V8 unit has more powerful vibrators.
Finally, I did an experiment yesterday. I had never tried a HFC power cord to my Nantais Lenco Reference turntable. I had an Exemplar Portal pc on it heretofore. After about 15 minutes I could hear improvement, but about three hours, the improvement was enormous. The bass was more profound and defined, the decay of notes and the ambience of the recording venue was vivid. I am anxious to hear whether there is further improvement today. Even were there none, the improvement yesterday was so dramatic that I will never go back. I am using a CT-1 Ultimate Reference. I had thought of going back to a simple CT-1 pc, but doubt I will even bother. |
Rlawry,
Thanks for the update on the HFC's. I agree, I would not want to move them around and then have to go through another break in period of various lengths of time.
I have no doubt that the KL Audio ultrasonic record cleaner does a great job of cleaning LP's. I wish it was manufactured in the USA instead of South Korea, but that would probably make the price even higher than the cost now.
I'm guessing that you are only using distilled water and if there is a control for the amount of ultrasonics used, be sure not to over do it because too much Ultrasonics could damage the recording based on research I've read.
Enjoy! |
I finally have about 50 hours on my Ultimate signal cables and URR Power Cord and Power Conditioner. And I can hear pretty startling changes in soundstage depth, openness, immediacy, detail, texture. I am afraid to change any of the cables in the fear of losing this for a while until they break in again.
One recommendation for those who listen to LPS. I just bought a KL Audio ultrasonic record cleaner and it makes a big difference against the vacuum record cleaner I had previously, especially in midrange vividness. |
I agree with Lak that I get a blacker background with all cables off the floor.
With less noise comes more musical information. |
Tbg,
Thanks for the information. |
Lak, I agree but also would urge you to try having only one support to keep the wires off the floor rather than two or more. I have demonstrated this at shows and in homes. I don't really know why but the music is more alive and vivid.
I picked this up from the owner of Rightway Audio many years ago. He even urged that all cables should have one ceramic contact; even those going from point to point only in the air. I found this worked also but to a lessor degree and it is often a pain to achieve |
When my cables were all raised and off the floor I noticed a blacker background. |
Hmmmm. I helped found a festival that exchanges art and music for health, wellness and dental care and here all sorts of amazing music in all types of good and bad venues and love (almost) every one of them! Check out O Positive Festivals....in Kingston, NY, Petaluma, CA, and Chicago, Il.
I've actually already taken some of Dave's advice and am having a dedicated audio subpanel all decked out with Environmental Potential goodies and supplied through a large Topaz isolating suppressor/conditioner. All great stuff from an excellent source. And, part of what this community so much fun and so valuable!
All my gear are on different feet as sounded out by myself or recommended by the manufacturer (HRS Nimbus under the Aesthetix Romulus Partial Eclipse) resting on 2" thick center cut myrtle shelves which have EdenSound brass footers. Those will all reside in an audio stand/open cabinet of 2" thick maples shelves and sides (made from maple from my front yard) which rests on 6 large brass spikes to decouple it from the floor.
I'll look into getting the cables off the floor and see what happens!
Enjoy the tunes! |
I am inclined to take Dave's advice, namely to put the waveguides on Star Sound Rhythm platforms with them on Audio Points. Yesterday I moved my H-Cat p-12 line stage from shelf 4 to shelf 1 on my Rhythm rack. I had always heard that the lowest shelf was best. It is absolutely correct! It is not subtle; it is dramatic.
I'm going to go to all two shelf Rhythms and going to put all waveguides on Audio points on the second shelf with the HFC waveguide power center on the bottom shelf. I must admit that I might find putting the waveguides on ceramic isolators might be more important. Unfortunately there are no ceramic cones like Audio Points or flat isolators that could go under the Cupeling cups of the Rhythm feet to keep static electric charges at bay while getting vibrations to earth. Reproducing music is such a pain in the ass. Were I to have a top .1% income of $6.5 million I would have a pop singer, a jazz group, and a symphonic orchestra available when I wanted to hear music. Of of course, I would need a well designed room to hear them properly. On my 60th birthday, my wife hired a small and good jazz group to play in our kitchen. It was great, but a kitchen is not a good location.
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Budburma,
Personally, I keep all cables off the floor (power cables, speaker cables and interconnects) sounds better to me that way. |
I wonder what Ric might propose as a solution.... |
Yoby-They complement each other nicely with the Jade being more romantic and musical while the HFC adds some presence and dynamics. Too much of either might be too much. The Jade sounds fantastic from source to pre, but the second one between pre and amp wasn't as nice as the HFC. That spot is also nicely served with the KCI silkworm se+ I may be selling a set of the Jade Reference down the road.....dunno yet as they are awfully nice and sweet to boot. |
Tbg and Lak, I get it. Maybe there's a market for holders like beaker clamps from chemistry class! Part of my question relates to wear and tear on the cables and connectors if it's just hanging in mid-air. The second part is whether the magnetic force creates any charge or noise in nearby cables....
I don't mind cables touching the floor. Power and speaker definitely do in my system. That seems alright to me..... |
Siddh, I do have helix power cords and interconnects.
Like all level upgrades in High Fidelity line, which I have experienced first hand, the next level is even more shockingly superior than the last.
How do I quantify such a dramatic increase in realism? I once stated that I thought the Ultimate was 10 time better then the Enhanced and that the UR sounds 10 times as amazing as the U. I would say the same about the vast galaxy of improvements the Helix wrought. So many have described the many many attributes of High fidelity cables. With each advancement in the line, all of those attributes get surprisingly more amazing.
SO MUCH MORE REAL THAT I WOULD NEVER WANT TO GO BACK!!!
This is why, (30 pages back) I cautioned folks about not listening to parts one cannot afford because you will hate giving them up. A lot!
HF cables are like a dream that keeps on getting more vivid.
Maybe Rick will loan me a set of UR Helix Speaker Cables so I can give my, in depth, opinion if them. ( hint hint) ;-)
Enjoy the music! D |
Tie wraps not good! IMHO If they touch the waveguide outer shell at all it dampens the highs. Hanging Strain relief would have to be attached to the wire, or the waveguide support, not the waveguide. |
I see many using tie wraps. Their dielectric strength is not high, especially if they are hot. I don't trust them. |
Budburma. How do the CT1's compare with your Jade Reference cables? |
Ddraudt, do you have a UR Helix power cord or interconnect? If so, how does it compare to your UR's? |
Since my equipment rack sits close to the front wall of my room, I simply hang my CT-1U signal cables from the diffuser panels on the wall. For my CT-1U speaker cables, I hang these low on the front wall using plastic cable ties. Dunno what I would do if my rack were farther into the room, probably do what the others do with some type of risers. |
Budburma, I like it when no cables of any type touch the floor. Because it sounds better. I have at least 8 HF waveguides in my system. all but one are on StarSound platforms or racks and I have another SS platform for the final one. With multi waveguides, as on the speaker and power cables, I remove the rubber bands and use star sounds' Audio Points with their points in the grove where the bands were. the audio points are then connected to a ss platform. I addition, I use weights on top of the multi waveguides which adds to the solidity, bass extension, clarity and realism....
For pics and further info, Pm me with your contact info.
Cheers D |
Siddh, Thanks for sharing. I believe that you are in for even more of a surprise as the speaker cables should improve for up to 500 hours of play time. |
Budburma,
Some of my waveguides interconnects sit on the audio rack shelf and some just hang off the back of my rack in the air.
My speaker cable waveguides sit off the floor on vinyl cable risers.
My power cord waveguides either sit off the floor on vinyl cable risers or I have the waveguides tied onto the back rear corner of my rack suspended off the floor. |
Budburma, this gets to be more and more of an issue with HF Cables as the waveguides get bigger and heavier. I do have equipment in a rack with four shelves. Equipment on the first two levels is not much of a problem, but I do complicate the matter by wanting no cables having a contact with the floor. All of these waveguides sit on about three inch tall isolators. The component on the top shelf, an H-Cat P-12 X-10 line stage is very light and the pc waveguide has some support from a large 18kVA isolator. Some of the ic waveguides sit on the Star Sound Rhythm shelves on their rubber rings. The BMC MCCI phono stage on the third shelf is much like that on the top shelf. Since the SS shelves are powder coated and not conductive, I do have some cables in contact with them. When everything gets settled, I will no doubt have all cables in contact only with glazed ceramic isolators.
The only other solution that I know of is to have all components on the floor on platforms and all cables suspended on single isolators. I don't want to go there. |
Ddraudt, I do believe I am privileged to have these cables. I had CT-1E's a year back, but had difficulty with gain. Nothing like that with the Helix. Right out of the case, these cables brought out greater detail, excellent imaging and better tonality than I am accustomed to. Now, after 3 weeks...maybe 50 hours, I have found this system presenting the closest to the source's offering. All too often, a number of days following new cabling, the excitement wears off, and the short-comings become apparent. Not with this cable. Listening session after session, the realness; especially the speed and tonality has drawn me in. The bass is taut and deep...rarely sounds exaggerated. The highs and mids I would describe similarly. True to recording.
As many of us know, this is not the result of one item, but the culmination and synergy of an entire system. That said, I have not experienced this kind of musicality from the Avalon's prior to the Helix. |
Siddh, congrats on the Helix speaker cable! Is it the UR helix? Were you able to compare the UR helix to the UR?
I have a UR speaker cable and wish to move up to the UR Helix but have heard little personal experiences. Rick said UR helix blows away the UR and, since every HF cable advance has been tremendous, I have no cause to doubt him.
After 3 weeks it should be well on it's way to showing what it can do.
Friends and I would appreciate any expansion on "Simply Stunning"
you were willing to share.
Thanks and enjoy the music! D |
I borrowed a pair of CT1's and was impressed with them. Among their qualities, they seemed to add a fair amount of volume to my system...Maybe someone has measured that to see if it is perceived or real. It would certainly change some validity of comparisons since a little volume can go a long way when listening critically.
Anyway, I liked them a lot and thought I might try a pair of Ultimates. BUT, how does one deal with the magnet tube? I assume (uhoh, there's that word) it can't just hang in the air, so I'm what those that own these are doing with them. Jerry-rig a suspension stand or clip? What if your gear is stacked?
Thanks for you help and insight. |
No comment.
Enjoy the music! |
@mapman that was for you. You are always commenting on comments. Not on how something sounds I don't know why I am making comments to you! Lol. I should know better. |
Comment on a comment or do you want to comment on how something sounds. Ah duh! |
There is a difference between ones system that others cannot hear or know by reading a forum like this and what is written in the forum, which is seen by all.
FWIW. The "you can't hear it so your comments do not matter" argument really does not apply to what one writes here. We can all read and make of it what one will.
Just saying... |
I was referring to calvinj's post to 9-11-15 to ptss, well said calvinj. |
I have been extremely fortunate to have a pair of Rick's latest speaker cable-Helix, in my system for the last 3 weeks. Simply stunning. |
I have been extremely fortunate to have a pair of Rick's latest speaker cable-Helix, in my system for the last 3 weeks. Simply stunning. |
Hi everyone, hope all of you are doing well, I keep up with this thread, but hardly ever comment here in a long time, I wanted to express my agreement of calvinj's post 9-11-15, you see, I have the same issue on the TARA thread, A guy tried to tell me who I know, or who knows me, lol, quite ludicrous! |
I thought I'd comment on the latest round of chiding but decide to listen to music instead. |
"@mapman go use your chicken wire and play with your etch-a-sketch. Grown folks are talking!"
If you say so. |
