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
There is a scene the movie "The Mack" Richard Pryor and Max Julian. "When you hear grown folks talking shut ----------- up." If you don't have any listening experiences then why comment on the forum. Well said TBG. @mapman go use your chicken wire and play with your etch-a-sketch. Grown folks are talking!
Mapman, you says "Best to just enjoy things in private if people's responses are bothersome." This makes no sense. Nobody gives a damn what you have to say seeking to disrupt an amiable discussion of personal experiences with products. The correct statement is, "Best to stay out of discussions where you have nothing to contribute." Is is universally true about most things.
@ptss I started to just let the comments you made go but nope I can't do that! It's agitating to watch someone come on a thread and make comments about someone else's enjoyment of a product. Whether it's a cable or component. The last time I checked you can't smell or hear someone else's system on audiogon. It's just a symbol of today's society where people challenge a person's integrity that they don't know or will ever meet. On top of all that you will never hear or probably care to hear my system, this cable or anyone else's system on this thread. If people are happy and giddy for something. Let them be happy. I'm just not one to allow someone else to decide my level of enjoyment of something. So stay on the high horse you are on and just ride out this thread! Goodbye
Calvinj, I know what you mean about HF cables, they satisfy me very much and that is rare for me. I change things up constantly but the High Fidelity Stuff is so amazing that I don't even think about other cables, except better HF cables. FYI, Norm is back home now and putting his system back together. me, I'm waiting for components, price quotes and money for toys. also, listening to music every day. enjoy the music D
@tbg how are you. I been playing around with my system a little bit. A few cables and isolation products. I have been tube rolling that CD player and found an excellent match with the seimens. I'm going to doing more this weekend. I hope you are enjoying yours. I've been comparing my high fidelity stuff to a few things and I keep coming back to them. Especially the interconnects with my CD player. Guitar and drums are amazing. I'm going to try a few tweaks here soon
@ddraudt I have gotten pretty used to this level of performance and I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to listen to audio at this level. I look forward products pushing the envelope on where we can go with sound improvements. I guess I'm different because I'm a cd guy but i enjoy getting a couple a week and letting them wow me. Lol. I don't know if I can ever own the top of the line and custom products like you have but I'm really enjoying what I have
@ptss wow I guess you you were listening to my system tonight. I guess I was wrong someone on a forum was sitting in my house that I didn't know was here.@ddraudt anyway. I was listening to Cecile mclorin savant new album tonight. I also played Dave holland and Pepe habuchuela album called " Hands" and I compared the high fidelity ultimate to another interconnect tonight. The backgrounds on the high fidelity were blacker. The instruments had more air and space around them and were properly placed. The pace of the music was quicker and there was more attack on the guitar. Every now and then you can hear the guys quietly speak in the background while playing. Sometimes there is a heavy sigh or breathing. I'm really enjoying my system more. I got a used EAR CD player and it mates really good with the high fidelity ultimate and the seimens nos tubes I put in the EAR acute.
Flagrant (not fragrant - but very smelly) and disrespectful use of this forum. I wouldn't use these cables if paid to. Yuck. I will report this- I've seen enough of this n-n--nce.
@ddraudt I thought about changing my interconnects and the high fidelity jumped up and slapped me back into my musical senses tonight. So close to the performance I apologized to them. Lol.
Calvinj, Good question with a wide variety of answers. the broad strokes answer might be, More realistic or live sounding. The HF cables bring me closer that I could have imagined to that "real". I use vibration transfer and damping on my HFC items to enhance their amazing effects. My Star Sound platforms and racks help a lot with soundstage definition and tonal improvements. My double DSD set up is capable of sampling rates far beyond CD capabilities, close to Master Tapes' sound. My new power distribution Box is designed specifically for High Fidelity Power Cables and improves the clarity, intimacy, depth and dynamics. I still need to get my new amp, new hard drive tray, new eSATA cable and some more albums copied to DSD hard drive. I could improve even further with the latest HF double helix UR speaker cables and another URR pc and a second power distribution box on a 2nd decated circuit. I'm unlikely to run out of improvements I can think up or hear about. One nice thing is that the DSD has over 4000 tracks, close to 500 albums at my fingertips without leaving my chair. with more albums coming. Cheers D did I answer your question?
Great. Resonessence dac sounds great. EAR Acute CD player sounds great. The high fidelity ultimate interconnect really work amazing with the EAR acute and Seimens tubes got this system singing.
Hello Calvin, The music is on and sounding very good. I'm playing "Blue Bossa" now, a mellow, relaxing album, with my DSD set up. I completed the first iteration of a new power distribution box specifically for High Fidelity Power cords and it sound way better than the last custom power box I built. vales lifted my friend, vales lifted. I hear more lifelike, and more dynamic, clear, involving, depth, shape, solidity.....
Looks like it is time to start planning a trip to Norms once he gets the big system up and running again. Hope you make the next visit. Cheers D
Calvinj, I will be backin TX next week. For a system with no HFC, no Star Sound, and no Tripoint my system here sounded quite good. I'm anxious to hear the new Hcat amp & pre in my big system.
Tbg, I get where you are going, ceramic and static control. Could be worth a try. Technically, I don't think the rate of energy flow of ceramic matches the Rhythm Racks materials. perhaps a ceramic floor disc might work if not for that. It is a fun challenge for me to see how much more I can get out of my High Fidelity cables. Making amazing even more amazing. Cheers D
Ddraudt, perhaps someday, I can get more Rhythms and try Them on ceramics under them. I find the isolation much more important although I have vibration controls under my HFC speaker wires on top of the big isolators.
I wish I could find devices such as the Audio Points that were great isolators. Since the power coated shelves of the Rhythm shelves mean they isolate the components, I am not confident that static electric doesn't reach the components.
Tbg, yes the HF PC I would use for the power box is the one with magnets the length of UR speaker cable magnets. (16 inches long). I have 2. the other Big PC is for my amp but is long enough to plug in without pulling. The final set up will have all my High Fidelity waveguides and the power box on Star Sound platforms or shelves. with sound better than ceramic IMHO. Cheers D
Lak, long ago I bought five 18KVA cracked high voltage isolators from a store called the isolator store in Iowa or Nebraska. They are heavy. I support the waveguides of my URR speaker wires on them as well as the URRH pcs to components on the top shelves.
I found that the man who ran Rightway Audio was right that one isolator should be between the floor whether bare wood or carpet. I would say that a wooden rack used as you do to hold the waveguides up would be okay and much better than a metal one, but a ceramic isolator would be better.
On the single isolator versus multiple set, I was at a manufacturer's home where he had three isolator rings on each speaker wire. I asked if I might change to only one. He said yes. I had to put the one on speaker stand under each wire with one isolator on top. When we turned the music on he and another listener were very impressed. He said had I not heard it, I would not have believed it!
FYI: I actually had to tie the waveguides (I assume that's what is in the center of my HF U and UR power cords) to the side of my rack in order for the power cord to reach and/or not fall off the rack. That's the biggest downside (besides cost) that I've had.
Ddraudt, is the HF pc that with the long waveguides as in the Waveguide power center? If so, I don't think I can use more as they would pull components off my racks.
Tbg, yes, the new hard drive works correctly, I recopied the old drive with my tune bank and it is working fine. Glad to hear your back soon. I will love to hear how it sounds too once settled in. I completed my power distribution box for my High Fidelity power cords. It is breaking in now, for a week. Since you left town I got a 4th HF power cord and an HF URH IC as well as a 2 shelf Rhythm Rack by Star Sound. I got my new custom CD transport in, and hope to see my custom amp in a few weeks, which will tie it all together. Music has really helped me through some tuff reality lately. Enjoy the music! D
Ddraudt, I hear everything is running smoothly. We will be back on about the 7th. I'm anxious to hear the new H-Cat X-10 with all the purification of the HFC, Star Sound, and Tripoint and room.
Lak, I have an Oppo 83 that has recently completed 6 months of modification to be transport only. It has onboard battery power supply for the clock circuitry, a super clock and tons of other wire and parts and shielding. It was recently compared favorably to a $14,000+ Esoteric transport. I'm thinking of selling it because I have a Double DSD system that has all of Norms music on it. (452 albums and counting.) You can contact me if you wish. D
Calvinj, Sounds interesting. Anyone have any first hand suggestions for a CD Transport to feed a Dac that will better my Music Culture 501A CDP or MBL 1531 CDP (that I'm using now as a transport) to feed my Yamamoto YAD-01 Dac?
Well I have the opportunity to tryout an E.A.R acute mk1 CD player. I will have the opportunity late this week. I have always been interested in hearing how it sounds. We will see. I have some Telefunken tubes as well as some nos amperex to try with them. Wish me luck! I have my high fidelity power cord and interconnects stuff ready. Gato fm6, KR audio va900. Clarity speaker cables and now the E.A.R acute CD player to stick into the equation. Will report back on weekend.
@ddraudt. I actually made changes to my system to make sure the high fidelity stuff stayed in my system. It just allows the musicians to be heard in a way on my jazz that shows how well they play and reveals some of the little things they do. Man I hope you enjoy the helix stuff. For me in my stuff I hear speed, layering and decay to levels I hadn't heard ever. Congrats on your new stuff sounds fun.
Hi Calvin, Tis true, so true that HF cables bring one to levels not experienced elsewhere in audio. And I to do all I can to improve the cable's performance and the room and equipment of course. I would say that High Fidelity Cables bring much of the involving, visceral, emotional, moving that I am hearing. They, like all equipment that I have encountered, can be tweaked as well to enhance the magic. Imagine making your HF cables sound twice as amazing? cheers D
@ddraudt and others. The level of clarity brought by the high fidelity stuff is eye opening. You can get there what ever way you choose to. I have actually made adjustments in my system because I love the big positives that the high fidelity stuff brings to my stystem. I have mixed and matched out equipment to adjust and find the system and things l like. I keep the cables in because they just bring the performance right into my room like nothing I've heard. To each his own but the high fidelity stuff allows me performance I had never experienced until I put them in. Enjoy your music no matter what. Enjoy everyone.
"I love music when it is involving, visceral, emotional, moving.. otherwise the car radio would be enough."
I would agree.
The interesting thing is that surely no two people are the same in terms of what it takes to become emotionally engaged with the music. It's even possible I suppose that some might not have the makeup to ever accomplish that. Its an interesting topic. What does it take? Surely largely a function of teh individual themselves as much as any technology or gear used to make music.
Wish I was one of those who love music no matter what it sounded like. I love music when it is involving, visceral, emotional, moving.. otherwise the car radio would be enough. Cost is not an issue for an audio addict, finding the money is. This may not make sense to the non-addictive personality. I've got about 7 audio projects in the works now and 4 more in the planning stage. maybe, when I finish those sometime next year I will think my system is good enough. probably not.. ;-) It there an audioholics anonymous? I'm very happy for those who love their system as is. Enjoy D
Rlawry..hopefuly every audiophile reaches a point in his/her system's evolution that allows each to know when enough is enough and allows the music to be the reason to turn the system on and not the sound.There is an old saying in medicine/surgery that goes..'the enemy of good is better'. It is hard to buy into that for some..
I guess I am ambivalent about the new cables. Yes, it is great that we now have even more state-of-the-art cables that can further improve our systems. The downside is now knowing we no longer have the best at the previous levels and now have the quest of paying even more money while reading how much better the new cables are. It took me a long time to get to my Ultimate signal cables and URR power conditioner and cable, so I will just have to be happy where I am. I guess we all have to make our own decisions. Cheers to those that can afford the next level.
Lak, negligible weight change with the new IC and pc. the improvement comes mostly from a better configuration of more expensive magnets.
Theaudiotweak, Thanks
Friends Frank and Sheri visited from Houston we listened to music and did power box comparisons. I was a nice visit. I now have all the info I need to build a better power distribution box. A more rigid box. polished, beaded, directionalized copper wire in two different gauges. ATL copper inlet, Oyaide R0 outlets, Furutech wall plates and covers. Enjoy the music. D
Other news- I got a new custom Oppo Transport w/ built in battery ps for clock. It is sounding great!!
I got a double DSD system I'm building that is very close to "Studio Master Tape" quality. With 4000 premier tracks built in to the storage HD.
I built a 1/4 inch thick brass plate to replace the bottom of the custom DAC/Pre/Amp box I'm having built. I purchased the final parts $1000 for 4 silver wire transformers. 2 step-down transformers, 2 input coupling xfmers. Both are the most lossless way to attenuate and to couple to input. No caps, resistors or coils to color the sound. Hope to have the amp soon... It will have HFC magnetic binding posts as do my speakers. (OEM)
I'm getting more Starsound platforms and racks as I can find money for them. Selling everything I can to support my toy habit.
Friend Frank and I are working inventing on a super power distribution box to plug the BIG pc into (Mostly Frank. ) Many parameters to test as each different part must be tested with each other part and in combinations to find the best collaboration of parts. months now. we have moved from duplex outlet ATL CU 2000 to the R0 from Oyaide. We have figured out the type, size and configuration and orientation of the wires we will use. we are down to 3 inlets to compare, we have eliminated 3 mounting plates and two outlet covers to stay with Furutech wall mount place and cover. We are down to 2 boxes to mount the stuff in. Frank is visiting Saturday with some test boxes. FUN!! D
Hi All, was out of town for a while and it was so good to heart music again. I'm blown away every time i hear my system, I guess it is too good to remember how good it actually is (?). here is some good news for some. Next level of HF cables is now in production. URR double helix power cords, ur double helix IC, digital and speaker cable, and pro series, super large URRH POWER CORD that uses helix waveguide the size of ur speaker cable waveguide 15.5 inch waveguides in the pro pc, Urr helix pc has 6.5inches of magnets. . The good news, they are as huge an improvement as going from u to ur. Soundstage is F-ing science fiction. Scary sense of reality. shockingly superior. I have the pleasure of testing some prototypes. I have one pair URH IC, 2 URRH PC and 2 Pro URRH pc ($20,000+ power cord anyone) unobtainium. Pro series developed for far east market where they hemorrhage money for audio and buy Million dollar speakers. I been able to try every level of HF cables like others of you here. I expect huge and dramatic shifts in quality with each level, these new "double helix" do not disappoint. In fact, they are so awesome my mind boggles at the musical experience never imagined possible. I haven't mentioned price but let me say that I'm doing what I like to call deficit spending where my credit card bill equals my monthly income. I love love love music so it is worth every penny.
@Jmcgrogan2, Thanks...I wasn't expecting the Yamamoto Dac until the end of Summer, so it was a real surprise to me that it was being shipped. Really an improvement, very similar to adding a HFC to your system. :-)! More detail, better imaging, more natural sound, better bass slam in a good way.
@lak I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your system. Congrats on the new dac order. I loaned my resonessence mirus to friend for a couple of weeks. I decided to get a small tuned CD player. I got the eastern electrics minimax. I put some amperex NOS tubes in and I'm really enjoying the sound with the high fidelity ultimate reference rhodium power cable and high fidelity ultimate interconnects. I got some bi wired speaker cables from clarity cables and the synergy sounds superb. I'm using the Kr audio va 900 on the gato audio fm6 speakers. Great sound. Happy sounds. High fidelity is sounding excellent in my system. Puts the instruments in my room. The clarity cable speaker cables add even more fullness. The high fidelity gives me the prat that I love.
Hi CalvinJ, I might eventually get to the Rhodium wires.... Currently I am still on CT-1 PCs and digital coax. Will document their application and break-in pattern on the other thread.
@Calvinj, my system is sounding superb! I need to update my system on Audiogon however after a six week wait I finally received my very simple solid state Dac: "Yamamoto YAD01" from Japan. As soon as I plugged it in I heard a very positive difference. I'm using an URR power cable on it, but I'm still searching for a really good price on an RCA digital cable.
@guidocorona. As I listen to the ultimate reference rhodioun power cord I just sit in awe of how much more of the music I hear now. I have listened to every line in extended sessions of this product. With improvements going up in each level. The highs are non-offensive and airy the midrange is special and stands out. It allows the pianos to shine and the keys flow. The drum work and percussion is speedy and informative with great initial impact. The bass is tight and rhythmic. Rick has truly a special line and I'm glad to know others are enjoying them as much as I do. @ddraudt how are you. How is the system sounding.@tbg how is New Mexico. @lak how is it sounding so far?
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