High Fidelity Cables CT-1designed by Rick Schultz
Sammons, I have what I call the Waveguide power center, but maybe Rick has changed the name. I had no other HFC pcs in my system when I got one URR pc. In Rick's presence, I put it on the Waveguide. It was impressive. We went out for lunch and returned about an hour later. I must say that I was prepared for what I heard, immediately on hearing music after only about an hour of breakin. The sound stage and realism were just strikingly improved. So I would strongly suggest you put the URR from the wall to the Waveguide and the lesser pcs elsewhere. But I should also say that I heard the impact of an additional URR on David's system already with a URR on the Waveguide. On hearing the improvement, I said, "Shit!" I knew that hearing that meant I had to buy another URR. Where would I put a second URR? I am tempted to say "anywhere," but I think you should experiment. |
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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 |
Tbg, Norm congratulations for a wonderful system. I would go one step further and say that your system has achieved natural realism. Individual lingering piano notes that are sustained, hearing ambience of hall or studio, pin point precision of where performers are on stage all contribute to the realism you describe, but I also heard natural instrument warmth with the highest degree of feeling(soul). Resolution of soul is a better term for what I heard from your system. I've heard many systems in the last 25 years and none impress me with their hifi fireworks or euphonic colorations, your system is in a different league. Folks will have to experience it to understand your excitement. Well done! |
@ddraudt. Glad you are enjoying. Great sounds for me. High fidelity ultimate along with the gato speakers sweet music to my ears. I'm enjoying my music. It's good that you are enthusiastic about your system. It's good that you talk about what it does do instead of what it doesn't. Some people on this thread never talk about sound. Just what stuff can't do. Music makes u happy. Go for it. |
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Mapman, I read you last post over and over but it still made no sense. Your earlier statement ; " 03-30-15: Mapman That's why you can't know what you like best until you hear it." Now that made sense!!! I've probably forgotten but.. How is you system sounding? I assume you have a system that you listen to. I seem to only recall you say who and what you don't like, and what is wrong with this and that. Is you system / life so bad you don't have anything good to think about? I hope not! Whats good with you Map? Hugs D |
I will assume it sounds very very good to you and most likely would to me as well given the investments in both time and money that have been put into it. So would most systems in these parts where others have made similar investments in the interest of achieving good sound. Hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally. So why use it? Chances are greater that it will lead others to disappointment. Its good for sales and advertising perhaps but that's about it. Just saying. |
Jmcgrogan2, I too am at the highest percentage in non-basic components since hearing HFC and Tripoint. Mapman, obviously there are no measures, but one can hear the decay of notes, precisely locate the performers, hear the ambiance of the hall or studio, and hear human presence with their lips, shuffling, fingering the basses and horns. There is scientific evidence that humans are aware of ultra high frequencies even if their brain show no auditory awareness. Michael Fremer posted about this article which I knew of some time ago. But on my system you can hear the decay of notes when the HFCs are used and not with other cables I have. I am not posting to convince you, merely to give my take. Doubt it at your peril for all I care. But if you want proof come to my house and hear it. |
Tbg, I really enjoyed your post. Thanks! I surely got the point and have experienced this myself that todays improvements bring unimaginable realism.In the 70's I worked in live music venues and audio recording studios so I had live music and recording studio music to learn from. I had a very good system 35 years ago and it sounded like the musicians were in the room. Uncanny! I've been actively involved it getting more of that uncanny realism since. A thousand improvements later, I'm still awed by how much better it can sound. Congratulations on the sound of your current system! It is truly a Magnificent sound (so real)! I agreed with your friend Miguel that one will not hear a sound that impressive in an audio store or at an Audio Show. I'd love to have a Tripoint grounding system. I've heard it's amazing improvements to your system. (Caution Readers- we're talking about other expensive items) I've very happy for you and glad I heard the upgrades. Enjoy!! D |
What is this realism that is referred to? How can anyone measure how close to it they are? Having heard many live events of many kinds in many venues over the years, including various live instruments at home, I know that each sounds different based on many factors as do systems meant to reproduce recordings. I can understand someone perceiving their rig sounds better than before or not but not how to measure % of realism. If I had to I'd say mine sounds 98% real. Of course teh recording alone has a lot to do with how real or not something might sound. Also most of us especially those who are older have limits to their hearing well under the 20khz HF upper bound that most systems have attempted to reproduce with various degrees of success since the beginning of hifi. Assuming a component does extend beyond to start, how can any of us hear it? Are you asking your dog? Sounds like a bunch of meaningless hyperbole to me with absolutely nothing concrete to substantiate it even possible. Just spend more money on HF products and one can extend teh limits of nature itself I suppose. What a bunch of c--p. |
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Jmcgrogan2, I first heard a HFC CT-1 cable before the 2013 CES and was immediately conscious of something unique about it-there was startling high end extension and effortlessness. But then I heard the CT-1 Enhanced. This cable had no breakin on it and took about four days to rival the broken in CT-1. But it was clearly better in the bass and midrange. Finally, I got to hear a full loom of the CT-1 E. I was very happy with the sound. Of course as Rick Schultz further explored the benefits of "magnetic conduction," he issues the CT-1 Ultimates and then the CT-1 Ultimate References. I must say that each was a major improvement but at quite high cost. Since having bitten the bullet, I have had no regrets, but with the aid of Tripoint's Troy Signature and grounding Thor SE grounding cables, have reached levels of music reproduction that I thought would never be reached. In the 1970s with Infinity ServoStaics and ARC SP3 and Dual 75 and 51 amp, I thought I was 90% of the way toward realism in reproducing recorded music. Were this the case, I am now 575% of the way toward realism! And I know that when I take the HFCs out and replace them with a broad range of other cables with several even more expensive, I can get good music, but none of the sense of "being there." This is also true of when I detach the Tripoint grounding. I have about the same amount invested in cables and grounding as I have in all other components and having the time of my audio life. |
@everyone. Enjoy your systems. I have really listened a lot since my new speakers got here. The high fidelity interconnects with this speaker allow me to really enjoy my music even more. We all listen to our systems more than anyone else would. Your system is for you to enjoy along with a couple of listening sessions with friends and the occasional visitors. I'm happy with my ct 1 ultimate interconnects and power cord. It provides a great and realistic sound. I'm happier when I listen to my music. Just remember why you got into the hobby. You enjoyed the music. Find what works for you and go for it. Be happy for you. |
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@ddraudt. The gato company seems to be taking a fresh and different approach. I like that. I guess that's why high fidelity intrigued me initially. Very motivated people to make a great product. The realism in my interconnect is amazing the is a great amount of air in my treble and decay. The piano runs are just lovely and popping. |
Calvinj, Glad your liking your new speakers and happy your having fun!! I did look at them online and there is a lot of nice things said about them. I got new speakers last week. They are prototypes and I am working on them to see how good I can make them. I've made them sound much better already. I've already removed 8 things that dulled the sound, changed 2 things that made the sound too sharp. and added 20+ things to get tighter response. I am mentally designing an improved vibration damping system to isolate the top cabinet. I have some additional shielding and damping to try. The new speakers sound better in the Highs and have lower Bass than my last ones. I'm also starting improving the sound of my High Fidelity cables by fitting Star Sound racks under the waveguides. More to do as I have 7 waveguides now and may have 10 soon. |
Rlawry,Systems, ears, and perceptions vary. That is why I travel to hear other great systems. Not only hearing but trying different products and ideas. I never did take out my other HF cables to try HF URR PC. Way to much work that I have no reason to take on. Those who have gone from CT-1 IC or SC to Ultimate have some idea of the type and amount of improvement one can realize. Not nearly the improvement from Ultimate to Ultimate Reference. The same is true in a comparison between the UR and URR power cords. The URR is wildly better at everything. URR seemed like the greatest improvement of all HF stuff in my system. I've added a second then a third URR and each made my system much more amazing. I heard the same improvements in Norms system when he added a fifth URR. Much more solid and real image. more intimate, musical, effortless, involving, awe inspiring, joyous! Norm and I have extremely different systems, taste in music, and listening style but both were greatly improved with each URR. Are systems are similar in that we both have the latest version of the HF UR WGPC (power filter), full loom of UR cables and all URR power cords. Norm and I both have URR power cords plugged into our HF UR WGPC then URR's out of the WGPC to components. This means we have 3 magnetic devices back to back on the power side. Crazy? possibly. Crazy Good? Definitely!! Best ever! No going back! Point is, what we are hearing/ describing, could be much different than other folks are experiencing. "HF Cables - More is Better!!" ;-) D |
Calvinj..thanks for asking..i have about 80 hrs on the 2 new matched pairs of Psvane WE 845s on my amps and to say they are great would be an understatement.I was torn between getting the Elrogs or the Psvane tubes . i was very impressed after talking with Rachel at 'Grant Fidelity' and thus chose the latter.They apparently take over 100 hrs to sound their best but the improvement in my system's sound is amazing.I did not think it could get better. my previous tubes..Shuguangs were at about 8K as to hrs on them so i wanted to get a new matched pair and then use the Shuguangs as spares...just in case.....i have an order in to the Cable Company to demo Rick's new CT-1 PCs ..2 of them..when the current loaner is finished...that should be fun. i did not want to demo them at the same time as i was trying to assess the sound of the tubes ..so i waited..thanks for the question.. |
@ddraudt. @tbg@lak@cmsgolf. I'm really enjoying the gato fm6 speaker. I think they compare with the big boys at a great price. I don't hear any weaknesses. I use the high fidelity ultimate cabling and it works like a charm. Sounds great. Getting more listening in daily. I still need to break them in for a couple months. I heard the speakers get better. |
I can only speak of my experience using solely the HF URR in my system which over time was a definite improvement over the very good PC it replaced but the difference was not jaw-dropping. Having followed this thread closely before making my purchase of the HF URR, it seems to me that most of the early adopters started off with the HF ICs and then SCs and only then when they became available, added the powercords. Most of them have been extremely enthusiastic. Just starting with a HF PC I assume does not garner the same jaw dropping effect but it could be that when the HF ICs and/or SCs are added the effect is greatly enhanced and becomes synergistic rather than additive; at least this is my assumption given what has been written in this thread. I wonder if anyone has started first with the HF PC and then added the ICs and SCs and has observed this? |
I have had the same experiences when adding CT-1 and/or CT-1U interconnects and speaker cables to my system. I now have 2 U interconnects, a U speaker cable, and regular CT-1 for phono signals. It seems the speed, treble extension, and detail are there from the beginning, but the immediacy, body, bass, warmth, and dimensionality take a while to develop. I also noted my system gain seems to improve upon break-in. I have been somewhat reluctant to try HF power cables as I only have one place that can use an IEC connector: my Manley Steelhead phono stage. My amp and preamp use a special round military connector and I am now using some Intuitive Design Power Bridges that were a big improvement over other power cables I have tried. I also have a Power Bridge on the Steelhead. I thought about trying an HF power conditioner to plug all of my power cables into but these take the big bucks. I think at the moment that I am more inclined to keep upgrading the IC's and speaker cables. It seems so far from what I have read on this thread that the PC's are somewhat of a mixed bag, some seeing little differences and some after an extended break-in, but I am wondering whether they are of the jaw-dropping improvements I have heard with IC's and speaker cables. |
@ddraudt. @tbg@lak@cmsgolf. I'm really enjoying the gato fm6 speaker. I think they compare with the big boys at a great price. I don't hear any weaknesses. I use the high fidelity ultimate cabling and it works like a charm. Sounds great. Getting more listening in daily. I still need to break them in for a couple months. I heard the speakers get better. |
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Lak, if you want WOW, try Shunyata Sigma series. It's relatively inexpensive compare to the competition. Shunyata Alpha series is also very good. For my digital, I have an Alpha Digital on digital side and Sigma Analog on analog side. As my Sigma Analogs break in, I'm leaning towards 2 more Sigma HCs. |
@Lak, I had the same experience as you when I placed my sole HF cable, a HF URR PC, on my integrated amp; I did not experience the WOW factor the majority here describe. I thought this might be due to not having a full HR loom. However, when I switched the HF PC to a source and left it there for a month, there was a definite improvement that became obvious to me. I wonder if you switched your HiDiamond P4 to your integrated amp and placed the HF Ultimate on your CDP you might experience the same improvement I got after a month. |
@Jmcgrogan2, I find it very frustrating to compare my HF Ultimate power cord to my other power cords. I’m very happy with the sound I currently have. When I replace one of my power cords with the HFU for 10 days I like what I hear but I’m not sure that it’s an improvement, but maybe it is an improvement? When I take the HFU out and replace it with the original power cord, to my ears it sounds about the same. I spoke to Rick about this and he said (as we have heard about the HFC products) when the HFC are introduced into a system it takes a while for the full effect to take place. When the HFC comes out of the system there is still a residual effect that lasts for a while therefore one can’t accurately do an A/B test. These are my own words not the technical way Rick explained it to me. Sorry I’m not capable of remembering the technical terms Rick used (LOL). In my main music room these are the power cords I’m using: Purist Audio Design 20th Anniversary Contego Power cord on Amp. CH X-20 Power cord on Preamp. Stealth Audio Dream Digital Power Cord on CDP. Triode Wire 7 Plus (going to try the Elrod EPS /2 Signature) on the Phono preamp. In my second system: HF Ultimate power cord on my Integrated amp. HiDiamond P4 on my CDP. |
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I finally got my CT-1 speaker cables broken in. Like others, I noticed I had to turn up the volume on my preamp to get the same volume, likely due to the increased impedance compared to my Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun Biwire (which are great cables themselves). Unlike when I put in the HFC interconnect cables, there was not an immediate quantum improvement in performance. Sure, there was more detail for the most part, but the bass was weak, and overall maybe not as 'musical' as the AZ cables. After about 250-400 hours, however, I think I am finally getting the full-loom HFC effect. NOW I'm getting more music, and I'm noticing how the musicians are playing more, and getting drawn into the music even more. So, I would say that while the HFC PC and IC cables were an instant improvement (but also continue to improve over several hundred hours), the speaker cables really need a long break-in period before they work anywhere close to their best. |
@cmsgolf. These speakers are special the wife stop and said they really sound good. She usually doesn't pay attention. They match my room perfectly. I went to listen to some Wilsons a month and a half ago and I went to listen to my friends gato's an hour later and I said that these speakers did good enough that I didn't miss hearing the Wilsons. For the price they are an overachiever. My friend has threw different solid state and tube components at them and they always perform like a champ. They are stunning to look at and listen to. @ddraudt. The speakers sound great. @tbg I know I'm switching up a lot. But I'm very happy so far. I can't wait to come home from work to listen. I'm using the kr audio on them right now. They have great musical nuance. @everyone else changes are part of the journey. Lol. Enjoy everyone. |
Yup. You would have a whole quarter. That's a good one. It's all in fun. I'm really enjoying this speaker. I had to get them shipped from the europe. The Gato fm6 is a beauty. I'm using my high fidelity ultimates and the treble is so good now it's like a misty vapor with this speaker. The piano notes are beautiful. The midrange is open and clear. The bass has good drive and is weighty and agile. |
Jmcgrogan2, one does hope that we are moving forward, but in my 27 different speakers there were some changes that I took which sent me up back waters. Buying the Infinity Quantum Line Sources after having their ServoStatis is but one such experience. It strikes me that speakers are typically the worst examples as they are all compromises. |
Tbg and Knghifi, I was told both CT-1 pc and Sigma HC pc are broken in. But I will give both 100 hr more in my system to settle down before forming any judgement. I understand what you are saying, Tbg, in regards to power cord comparison. I will not switch in and out right away, but will try to have each in the system for a few days before switching to another one, and back in again. And I plan to have both from wall to ps audio power re-generator, which in my system, gives most benefits consistently with quite a few pc I tried. Knghifi, I too have 2 Alpha Digitals and they are excellent, which in fact prompted me to try Sigma HC. |
Courtesy of CT0157, I'm pretty sure I know what my last speaker is gonna be. My wife agrees, ...although I think we had different ideas on why it would be my last ;-) |
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I'll have a HF CT-1 power cord and a Shunyata Sigma HC power cord for comparison, hopefully later this week or early next week.Kzhtoo, I look forward to your comments. Are both cables new? I have ~20 hours on my Sigma Analogs and it's opening up nicely. Knghifi, I noticed that you are selling your HiDiamond P3 Power Cables. Did they not equal the HFC pcs? Have you said anything about these pcs?Tbg, I bought majority of my P3 when it was their top model. It's an excellent PC, fully satisfied with their performance and had a full loom of 10. I had no intention of changing until I bought my ARC Ref250 that requires 20amp. I ordered 2 20amp P3 but canceled my order due to business reasons. P3 sounds excellent in my system. I was planning to keep the loom for future use but got too much stuff so sold them all. I had a tough time spenting big $$ on PC but realized my system deserves equal quality PCs. My system has been in constant flux so will wait until it settles before buying a HF Ultimate or CT-1. |
