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
"Because Magnetic conduction is different and because it requires time to permeate the equipment hooked up, Some HFCables start out sounding not good."
Should one be concerned at all about connecting powerful magnets up to expensive gear that perhaps was not expecting this?
JUST GOT IN MT 3RD HFCABLES-URR POWER CORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to have another of these ridiculously superior power cords. I have three places to try it so we will see what happens. Cheers D
Lak, I think you can use the same thinking as others have suggested on the power cord placement with a HFCable Power cord. Like Tbg, I use one on my HFC power filter/distribution center and it reaches several components that way so it makes the most difference.. If you have some kind of power center you could try it there. The magnetic power filter I have from HFC is better than one could imagine. High Fidelity's magnetic power cables are much superior in low level retrieval than conventional pc's, so they should help a lot with low level signals…. However…. what they do for the power and dynamics and purity of power amps is astounding!!! Enjoy!!!
Fluffers, congrats on the two Ultimate IC's!. Break in time is funny with the HF Magnetic cables. Because Magnetic conduction is different and because it requires time to permeate the equipment hooked up, Some HFCables start out sounding not good. Some HFCables will sound good (or better) in a few hours other will take several days. This is regardless of if they are used in another system or not, because the equipment goes thru changes as well. Depending on the overall sensitivity of your system, you could hear improvements for 2 weeks to a month of playtime. (yes 600 hrs.) I agree with TBG that the don't like being moved and it can take a day to settle after moving them. ALSO they do respond to isolation, damping and shielding methods, if your into that. I think Calvinj is right with his order of most effect but I would add 1. that some level of HFCables sound better faster than others. (UR power cord sounded good very fast- faster than URR PC) 2. Since every point in the chain makes a big improvement, no HF speaker cables will limit the sound. 3.Good if you can enjoy your new improvements for a while before the next step. The Ultimate stuff is truly AMAZING!!!
Lak, My answer is not of much help. I initially tried the one I had on the HFC waveguide power center. The only other place where I tried one by itself was on the LSA Statement Plus amp. The contribution of one on the ac filter was much better.
Lak, I haven't tried the HF power cable on my phono-pre or the amps but I have done these type of comparisons with other power cords. The biggest improvement came at the phono-pre and the DAC. The DAC and phono-pre are more sensitive to noise because the audio signal is relatively low in these devices so if you can lower the noise going into them, the signal-to-noise ratio improves. Anyway, I think this would also be true for the HF power cable.
@Calvinj or anyone else that can answer this question. If a person can only afford one HF power cord, in your opinion; where will it do the most good? On the amp, preamp or CDP?
@johnp. People think I'm promoting and cheerleading with my comments. However, that is exactly what I been telling everyone. The ultimate reference power cord comes in and improves your system on a whole other level. Like a steroid shot of openness, clarity and realism. Im Glad you are feeling music like a lot of us did when we put it on.
Fluffers, they don't like to be moved at all. My guess with the Ultimates that you would hear improvements for at least a week. I'm not sure that you really need signal running through them or just need to let them settle into position.
Yesterday I bought a High Fidelity ultimate reference power cable. I had heard so many good things about them I wondered if they could live up to the hype. I used the cable with my DAC and the sound was astonishing. I thought there would be a significant change but not like this. The only times I've heard this kind of improvement from a single component was when I bought new speakers or a new amp. I didn't expect a power cable to make this type of difference. The sound is wide open and huge. I have never heard this kind of dynamic constrast. I love choral music. The addition of the power cable made voices more distinct and clear with beautiful harmonic structure. The background was jet black. I don't fully understand how magnetic conduction works but the result is stunning.
Guys- Just ordered 2 sets of the ultimate interconnects to replace my MG audio planus wires- Question -how important is the speaker wire in this setup as I did not order the speaker wire just the interconnects Also since I got them used with about 200 hrs I am told- How long a breakin period should I give them before critically listening against the MG audio wire- thanks3
@tbg. You are so right. The Mac sounded full but slow and plodding with a haze. Not very transparent. The prat was not that good. It was subpar to me. I'm gonna get more high fidelity when I finish building this system. I have one piece but need a power cord eventually. I feel like a junkie without his smack right now. Lol.
Ddraudt, I have just tried another very good power cord that is fairly inexpensive and gives easy to listen to music. Then I put the HFC URR back on and heard the revelation of realism. These best HFC cables and especially the power cords just kill all previous thoughts that I was approaching realism. It is the decay of notes that yields this. It is just wondrous. But, of course, I could attend many live performances were many of those that I listen to still alive. And this is all very fragile. One Stillpoint Ultra Mini of the four was not in contact and the magic was lost until I fixed it.
Calvinj, hello friend, I'm good. I can relate to taking time to build up HFCables in my system. It has taken me several years so far and I still owe money and want more. Hard to quantify how much better the UR stuff is than the Ultimate line. To borrow a phrase from Tbg, "Shockingly Superior". "Off the chains" is good. I thought the Ultimate was 10 times better than the Enhanced and the Ultimate Reference is 10 times better than the Ultimate. To me UR is a NEW WORLD even a New Galaxy in audio. Extremely addicting, once you hear them you will do crazy things to posses them. As far as the rest of my system and taking time on it, over 3 decades so far. I must enjoy the journey as well as the results. I have audio plans that will take years more to realize but I must say the Ricks Magnetic conduction cables breathed new life into the Audio game.
Calvinj, I've only owned one piece of Mcintosh gear, the model 78 tuner. Other than the looks of their gear, I see or rather hear nothing that would cause me to ever buy any of it. I remember going to a CES show some years ago, when two guys were discussing new Mcintosh speakers. One was a dealer and raved about them. I noticed a Mcintosh room and decided to give them a listen. As I walked in a young lady welcomed me and gave me brochures. I took two steps into the room and heard them. I turned around and left. The young lady asked if anything was wrong. I lied and said that I had forgotten to bring my camera.
Years ago, I knew a guy in the Dallas area who had one of every model Mcintosh had ever made. He had a two story home and on every step of his stairs, he had two pieces on each side. He also had shelves in one of the upstairs bedroom with more components on each. I wonder if anyone collects different samples of scat.
@ everyone I went up to magnolia home theater here in Dallas. They had an all mcintosh system mc2500pre, 275 amp, mcd500 CD player using audioquest rocket 88 and king cobra ic and one of thier 900 power cords. The system. For the most part I think the cabling was the big factor in it sounding slow and uninvolving. The prat and transparency was not there. I was wondering hoe the high fidelity stuff would sound on there. I think mac has great gear but I wanted to see if anyone has tried high-fidelity on mcintosh gear.
@ everyone I went up to magnolia home theater here in Dallas. The had an all mcintosh system mc2500pre, 275 amp, mcd500 CD player using audioquest rocket 88 and king cobra ic and one of thier 900 power cords. The system. For the most part I think the canceling was the big factor in in sounding slow and uninvolving. The prat and transparency was not there. I was wondering hoe the high fidelity stuff would sound on there. I think mac has great gear but I wanted to see if anyone has tried high-fidelity on mcintosh gear.
@highfidelitycyprus. I totally understand. I have and ultimate now but when I demoed the ultimate reference it was more of a great thing. I still enjoy the ultimate but the ultimate reference is a step up. Enjoy. @tbg and Ddraudt. How are y'all doing. @lak how is it sounding.
@highfidelitycyprus. I have an ultimate. It is a great interconnect. However the ultimate reference stuff is off the chains good. I demoed a full loom. Realism, prat etc. is increased up the chain with the ultimate reference. @Ddraudt@tbg@lak and anyone else I forgot how are y'all doing. I'm glad we are talking about the equipment and music again. I'm gonna rebuild my system a little at a time. I have to pull back from the hobby for a slow rebuild for now. Enjoy the music fellas and of course the high fidelity. Lol.
Just to say that we connected a pair of the Ultimate Reference speakers on our demo system in the shop. We used to have the Ultimates for 6 months now. The transformation was immediate and trully un-beliavable.
Ronnjay, Good idea!, He's got family so i don't call on the weekends. another issue I've seen is… because the cable ends are pressure lock, they are very difficult to get all the way in at first. I often have to double check that. Cheers D
Johnbstiuu, The URR's Do Amazing things on every component I've tried. Even low cost equipment is made to sound Fantastic. Price being what it is, I'm still paying for the ones I have, but want more because of their magical performance. Grailish to be sure. I agree with Tbg that the power distribution pc would effect the most components over time.(400 to 600 hrs.) (hint: components should be on as much as possible but no need to play loud as long as there is some current flow they are breaking in. Also: cords and cables Must be broken in on the equipment to be used.) My second cord went on My integrated amp and was mind-blowing!! My source component is battery powered so I don't need one there. I would suggest Power Distribution PC first and when you get to a second one just try it on a few items over time. As for cables, again they all make a surprising improvement but I might suggest Source to PRE IC as the cables really Shine in low level retrieval. also depends on what level HFCables you are working toward. because a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, a full loom of Ultimates is a good start. I and others sell their Ultimates on the used market to move up to UR. I was very thrilled by my Ultimate loom!! Until I heard the UR line. It takes time so best if you can enjoy the process. Cheers D
@johnbstiuu. I had a long demo with them and once the leave your system you are going to want them back. It's a high you don't come down from. The music just loses something when you take the power cords out. I listened for long periods with them and now with out them. I don't know if they are they holy grail but I do know that in my system the music lost some prat, naturalness and realism. I'm working on figuring out a way to get some of it so I can go back to a couple of things it will be a slow build.
Johnbstiuu, I have tried my four HFC URRs on every component with major improvement. As I would first do the what you call, power PC. Other than that I really cannot help.
Ddraudt, Tbg, thanks for the helpful tips. I am thinking to buy the top HFC PC one at a time than upgrading from lower to top model. So its great to know that this strategy will work.
Just curious, based on my current setup, I am looking at upgrading the following cables:
source PC pre PC power PC source - pre IC pre - power IC SC
Given that each HRR cable costs so much, if I were to replace the cables one at a time, will there be a point where the gain becomes marginal enough (based on your opinion) that I should stop? If yes, where should I stop and in what sequence should the cables be replaced.
Johnbstiuu, in my small room in New Mexico, I used my only HFC URR pc into a special power strip with Hubble duplexes and had every component plugged into it. It was better than having only the amp with the HFC URR on it. But earlier when I first got one HFC URR, I plugged it into the wall and into the HFC waveguide power center. That improvement was a sensational improvement in the sound. Later I got three more HFC URR pcs and each added a great improvement on whatever device it was on.
I think that were you to have a fine power strip you would get a big improvement adding a HFC URR pc but would get ever increasing sound with the addition of more URRs.
Lak, Audiopoints are great and pucks will do some needed isolation from concrete floor. In my system, the wood gives it a better, more natural sound. I also use 12 lb Damping blocks on transformers with good results. Happy to hear that you are auditioning the UR speaker cable. For me it was a huge jump from the Enhanced. I'm selling my 9 foot set of Ultimates to help pay for my UR's which are again, Shockingly superior (as Tbg says). ;-) D
Calvinj; thanks for the compliment, I've been working with different high end systems for at least 18 years and the two posted systems is what I currently am enjoying. Please feel free to email me through Audiogon and tell me about your present system.
Jmcgrogan2; I'm using the HF speaker cable CT1U in "Lak's Music Room 2014". I picked them up used a few weeks ago. I meant to mention it when we were communicating about power cords but as you could probably tell I have not had much time to be on the computer.
Ddraudt: thanks for your suggestions. The isolation transformers actually sit on three 1 1/2" solid brass audio points that are on top of the cinder blocks and the cinder blocks rest on top of three hockey pucks that are on the concrete floor.
Calvinj, I'm using a digital integrated amp (very customized as you would suspect) and an even more customized CD player. (no tubes) I'm awaiting a fully custom integrated amp and in talks for a total custom USB dac with built in card reader. I also have newer custom speakers being built. HFCables have upped the game so extremely that I must upgrade everything else (gladly). I do sell old equipment and cables ( including HFC) to buy new HF cables. I'll have a UR digital for sale soon when I switch to UR IC's. and a 15A URR too when I switch to 20A. I'm very glad to have met Rick and think of him as a friend. Pleased that I have been able to give him suggestions on improvements that have proved useful. Hope you system is wowing you still. Cheers D
Ronnjay, thanks for reporting back. additional info.. the magnetic waveguide is also directional ( north in south out ) and even if correct there could be an internal connection issue. Rick and High Fidelity Cables have wonderful customer service so IF there is an issue, it WILL be corrected. Cheers D
Lak, I look at you system pics, very pretty turntable, great looking system that I'm sure your proud of. Congrats!!!
Small tweak suggestion from what I can see from the pic, you isolation transformers appear to be setting on a concrete or cinder block on rubberized feet on concrete floor. I suggest placing first 3/4" pine plywood on floor, then concrete block (not the lighter cinderblock), then another plywood, next some cones you like, then Iso xfmrs. with no rubber feet. I believe this will give you a tighter sound with more dynamics and purer highs. I also think you would be shocked at what an HFC power cord would do for you. ;-) D
Johnbstiuu, I have 2 HF power cords in my system and 4 nice but homemade power cords also. My system runs thru a HFCables power filter and 2 homemade plug isolation boxes.( All parts isolated, damped and shielded). The sound makes people laugh, cry and gasp. I imagine if you end up with a costly HFC power cord, you might want to upgrade to a better power distribution device but yes… in time the HF magnetic power cord thru a plugging strip would permeate the system. ENjoy! D
I agree that there seems to be an attempt to constrain comments on this thread -- coming from members with questionable "credentials". In the past, I have been enthusiastic about cables from Synergistic Research, Grover Huffman and HiDiamond. My opinions changed when my experience broadened.
Everything depends on system synergy. There is no Magic Audio Bullet no matter what anyone says with all the enthusiasm they can muster. I now use David Elrod cables, Shunyata cables and my own DIY cables to create the necessary synergy in my system that has taken over 8 years to develop. System synergy depends on many factors: the right components, the right cables and the right room treatments. System synergy does not simply depend on the right cables.
Disclosure:
I was involved in an unfortunate transaction with Rik Schultz that came down to a matter of integrity. Nevertheless, he may indeed make very good cables. I have not yet tried them.
Disclosure:
I was partnered with another cable maker at the time of the above-mentioned transaction in a project that involved developing magnetic cables. I have been making my own magnetic cables for years. They are very nice cables. Are they the Holy Grail? No, they are not.
@lak. It's looks great. It looks like you put a lot of time, work and money in your system. I know it's a process. Continue to enjoy the music.. I'm doing little by little. It's all personal preference though and tweaks when you get to a certain point and I am trying to get there.
@calloway. I know how you feel I have been on cable merry go round for 5 years. I got to demo high fidelity. I have an ultimate ic now and will have to work on another piece or two to put in my system when I can. I really don't care to stay in the cable merry go round. I think the high fidelity stuff does a whole lot right to my ears and the negatives if any are extremely small. I think people may think we are zealots or something because the way we rave about high fidelity but I got rid of all my other cables just about and I'm selling my last ic that I had before I had high fidelity. They cost more yes but I am willing to pay to get off the cable merry go round.I'm not a scientist but I trust my ears and I like what I hear. I don't care what another reviewer says or magazine says. This cable has some serious prat and naturalness that is musically pleasing to me. It's completely different to everything else that I have tried. I will add in the future what I can but I have found my cable of choice. For me it actually makes sense to get equipment that works with the cables instead of vice versa. Lol. Continue to enjoy the music.
Mrmb..if i am not mistaken this is the 'High Fidelity Cables CT-1 designed by Rick Schultz' forum....it is for people who use ...like... are interested in what makes these cables so good....and for those who wish to find out why, the people who do use them, like them.Everyone posting here has tried many different cables and knows that each cable has its own flavor.Trying to explain what makes a particular cable sound the way it does or suggesting that someone do a particular experiment to see if he/she should possibly change their mind about what they think about a cable based on that experiment is crazy.If you are interested , at all, in the HF cables, and you allow someone else's posts, on this forum, to discourage you from trying them, then you lose, which in the end, is probably what they had in mind anyway.They are superb cables. Do i know how they work?..Hell no. I don't have to know anything but what my ears tell me. I have tried a lot of what are considered to be the best audio cables on the market and to my ears...in my system...they are the best i have tried. I will not be trying any other brand....After almost 30 years of adding / subtracting different audio gear i have reached a point i never thought possible with regard to what i hear . when/ if you ever get there...you will know it.these cables were the final piece of the puzzle ... a big piece..but the final piece.i will still be replacing my powercords with Rick's models at some point in the future as i have demo'd them and found them to be as superb as the rest of his cables..You know how you find out how great a Porsche is.....YOU DRIVE ONE...you don't let someone who has never driven / owned one convince you they aren't very good...
The blatant suggestion that comments by the likes of Albert, John and Al, are unwelcome, because they're not following some sort of prescribed direction and they're somehow getting in the way of the H/F accolades, is an affront to some of the most thoughtful and considerate contributors for decades on Audiogon and a distinct disservice to what well may be very fine cables!
My comments were in agreement with Al on listening priorities and apply to every piece of audio equipment made.
Forum topics that praise audio gear will likely draw comments both positive and negative. How each person conducts themselves is what keeps things informative and pleasant.
Heck, there's times I can't make up my mind about changes in my own system. It takes me forever to evolve things where I'm certain the direction was a correct one.
As for cable in general, all cable has a sound. Some people are going to love Audioquest or MIT or Transparent or High Fidelity Cables and someone else will not find any of those suitable.
Directly on topic of High Fidelity cables, I received a link to a video today that is brilliant!
It focuses on the technology Rick used to develop High Fidelity Cables. Wonder who else got the invite to view ?
@Ddraudt. Are you using a dac or a server or CD player. I used to worry about going balanced to equipment. I don't worry anymore because high fidelity stuff provides natural clarity so I don't need xlr anymore. I'm enjoying the way the cable enhances my speed and the amplifier is contributing to the overall prat. Rick did an excellent job on both. He suggested I go straight from dac to amp. Sounds great that way. I use different sources so that's the only reason I need a pre amp now. High fidelity seems to do a lot of good things without creating bad drawbacks like other cables I have tried. I'm going to listen some tonight.
Always interested in new products, especially at this time, cables, I've been following this thread from its inception, with great interest!
After recently adding a component to the system and wanting to wait for things to stabilize, before auditioning cables (not something that I enjoy), I considered Rick's cables to be on the short list of wires to trial. However, I'm beginning to rethink this direction because of this thread's recent direction and tone.
The blatant suggestion that comments by the likes of Albert, John and Al, are unwelcome, because they're not following some sort of prescribed direction and they're somehow getting in the way of the H/F accolades, is an affront to some of the most thoughtful and considerate contributors for decades on Audiogon and a distinct disservice to what well may be very fine cables!
I frequent forums for discourse -- hopefully cogent, but more importantly, for a discussion of all sides of a topic's coin. I welcome all rational perspectives and I hope this thread gets back on that more cordial, but respective path and off the: ONLY praise for H/F cables is-acceptable-here tact.
Otherwise, the quality of what well could be very excellent cables is becoming questionable because of the heavy handed attempt to control and constraint discourse to what a few believe to be the appropriate course of this thread!
@Ddraudt hey man I understand the frustration. I want to find out the best way that I can get more out of my system using high fidelity and this thread has turned into something else. I know better than to let myself get off topic and from now on I'm going to stay on topic. Do you run tube or solid state equipment. I know you have custom built stuff I wondering.
@lak. I understand. The reason why I ask is that I wanted to know how it was working for you. I want to eventually make that my go to cable in my system. I'm not debating anymore. I want to find out what is working for people that have high fidelity so I can see how high I can go in the chain. I too have had other cables work. I think these are real special because I I don't long for interconnects changes like I used to. What kind of equipment are you running.
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