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
..or maybe these wires are just so darn good or perhaps even just so unique sounding that whatever they replace or are compared to is irrelevant. Not likely, but you never know.
I took 2 power cords out and the 2 ic out. All of it was high fidelity ultimate reference. The music is just not the same. The power cords are special. The ic add realism and naturalness. The notes don't separate as well without high fidelity ultimate reference. The decays are not there. The music is not as vibrant. The Kendrick Scott Oracle conviction album. There is a jazz piece called "I have a dream". There is part of the song where you can hear guys talking in the background faintly. Without the high fidelity ultimate reference. You can't hear it. The prat has been reduced. The Speed is not there. High fidelity ultimate reference is special. I took one piece out first then the three others. I like the power cords the most. Then the ic then speaker cables. Either way it's all good. It gets better piece by piece. Taking it out is like throwing a really thick blanket over your speaker. Rick set out to create a special product that provides a listening experience different from any other. He has succeeded in doing so and continues to make it even better. If you have a system you owe to yourself to put some high fidelity in it.
Jmcgrogan2, I think Calvinj means without the HFCables of all sorts that he has. I took only one HFC URR pc and the full loom of HFC UR ics and speaker wires with me to New Mexico. Now that I'm back to my big system, I realize how important other HFC URR pcs are, as is the HFC Waveguide power center, the Tripoint Troy Signature, and the Star Sound Tech. Apprentice platforms.
I think the HFC Ultimate Reference Rhodium through one's system are vital. I hate it as they are too expensive. I have never tried the HFC Ultimate Reference but have tried the Ultimate. Unfortunately the Ultimate has very little of the magic of the URRs.
Once you take high fidelty ultimate reference out. Your system doesn't sound the same. I'm doing it now. Your system becomes duller. There is clarity and inner detail loss. The system loses a lot of zing and life. The speed on the percussion and cymbals are lost. Also the separation on the same instruments like multiple cymbal taps now just run together. You can't hear the inside of the drum and the skin of the drums. Things lose their sense of space. This is a description of my system with no high fidelity ultimate reference in it. The system sounds ok but no where near as good when the ultimate reference was in. Rick's product is one that is musically transformational. If you have not tried it you need to. It is truly and experience once you put it and the magnetic conduction of the cables start working. Speed, naturalness and clarity are there in spades. Happy listening!!!
@ddraudt. I'm good I saw Rick today. His system sounded amazing. He has high fidelity ultimate reference in the whole system. Everything is breaking in and it sounded even better than the first time I heard it. It has speed and a naturalness that I have never heard. Clear and musical. I'm doing ok. How are you. I'm just being patient. I was listening the the high fidelity with the luminance kst150 and the old manley shrimp pre amp. Once again it delivered great sound. High fidelty worked in a different set up again. Sounded great.
Ddraudt, like you I first heard the URR. You were there, I think, when I put the Ultimate in. I would tell them to buy the two URRs. Put one on the ac filter and one on the stereo amp. My problem is having mono blocks. I'm to get a new music server which will have six power supplies. Initially he was going to need three pcs to run it. Now he has redesigned it to require only one pc.
400 hour report on 2 HFC URR power cords. Saturday listening team thrilled by the improvements with another week of break in. Statements: "It's way better, way better at everything!", "The bass is ridiculous", " It's got more dynamics and punch and is also easier to listen to.", "The Drums are incredible!!", "Now that I can SEE the drummers movements, it is clear what He was getting at!", " listen to that echo- wow!!, (laughing)," Wow!!, Unbelievable!!! "This is IMpossible!!"ect… At times like this, It's great to be me. Enjoy the music!! D
Tbg, A guy asked me yesterday if it would be better to buy 4 HFC Ultimate power cords or two URR PC's at roughly the some price. What do you think about it? I Think I would be very happy with the Ultimate they never mAde the URR! too late now that I've heard the URR! ;-) D
"It's better… at EVERYTHING!" 2 HF URR power cords in my system for a few weeks ( with a few tweaks ). High Fidelity's magnetic conduction at the UR level pass low level signals impossible with electrical conduction. Now, subtle clues in the soundstage, both musical and organic create such an amazing, intimate connection to the artist that I can see and feel their intent like never before. Difficult not to get wrapped up and carried away by the music that is at once revelatory and dumbfounding. Additional layers of detail presented in a more real and natural way with impossible power, dynamics and effortlessness. Best bass, mids and highs ever! WOW!! and WOW!! again. Enjoy the Music.. Dave the happy camper.
Jafant, Hi, welcome, I'm in Austin. I love having people buy to hear my High Fidelitified system. My second power cord makes my system even more………(add all positive descriptors here)……………………!!!!!!!!!! ( example: amazing beyond comprehension ) I have audio friends in Dallas and Houston as well that are High Fidelitietts. TEXAS AUDIO TOUR!!! Enjoy the Music!! D
Jafant, be more specific! Where are you? Texas has many of us with the cables, etc. I'm back in College Station and would be happy to have you come by other than when the RMAF is on.
are any of you guys in the Southeast/Southwest using HF cables in your system? I would like to get a demo if possible. I have throuoghly enjoyed reading this thread. Very informative. It is so interesting those og you whom have left a certain brand of cable/cord(s) to attain the HF line- my curosity is peaked! Happy Labor Day.
Calvinj, I made a mention about you and The ressonessence Mirus dac on matts absolute best redbook dac shoot out there on the digital threads of audiogon, I believe you would be an asset to us all if you came there to elaborate on this product there, I do not believe they will tolerate talking about anything other than HF cables here!
@audiolabyrinth. The resssonessence is actually in neither camp. It gives you great detail with air around the instruments. It also takes the slightest amount off the rough edges so you don't have listening fatigue but you still get detail.
High Fidelity cables have made my life more fun! Not only is the music on much more, My system is out of this world good!! I am awed daily and others or similarly impressed. Here is a recent message from the head of a visiting team of listeners "we have a great time everyone was blown way by what you had done, great system". I've had interest from a few reviewers wanting to come by also. that's cool. HF Friends If you going to be in Austin, PM me and we'll try to set up a visit. in the meantime, Enjoy the Music!!!!!!!!! D
calvin, Is the Dac burn-in yet?, If so, what camp do you believe it belongs in, warm resolution Musicality, or cold analitical steril sound that most out there believe is music that I get listener fatigue from?
@audiolabyrinth. A lot of reviewers said it beats it. Now you have to understand that the dac chip that the auralic uses is made by the brother of the resonessence mirus owner. Think about it. They developed the ess sabre dac chip. Got to be good. Lol.
calvin, I took a peak at you Dac, this thing looks great!, I seen the specs, a canadian company you want to go with?, how does it stack against you know who that starts with an A,LOL!
@Ddraudt. Got a speaker will report out soon. Got what I want in the sound. It is great with high fidelity will give a full report after it's all set up. @ tboooe welcome to the audio matrix. Lol. @audiolabyrinth I'm gonna slow down here shortly. The audio chase has worn me out. I want to get it all set up and enjoy the music. I'm gonna slow it up. @tbg I will ask him later this week when I see him. I would love to come listen one day. We will have to set that up. I always want to hear different systems and great sound. I know you have put your knowledge of audio into building what you have in your system. We will make a listening session happen soon.
Tsushima1, the speaker cables have high impedance so with certain amp/speaker combinations it perhaps may not work out. The issue may not be your Martin Logan's but the amp used as well.
With signal cables such as IC's and digital cables, having high impedance is not an issue so I presume compatibility is better.
CalvinJ, you asked "how is it sounding?" and I've been thinking of how I could describe such an event… Easier to describe to you and others with a lot of the High Fidelity gear. You know how each added high end piece brings you to a new world, nay, a new galaxy of resolution, realness and awe. I have a full loom of HF Ultimate Reference Cables, 2 URR power cords and a UR WGPC power filter/distribution station. Can you imagine me tuning each of those devices to get much more out of each?….? So imagine if you can, your system with 6 times, big improvements in tone, micro detail, quietness, dynamics, pace, speed, image environment , emotion, involvement and goosebumps. If you come up with a sense of what I am talking about kindly tell me how you would describe it?-?? I can say that it's not like listening to an audio system. when listening, there is no sense or thought of audio system. Just overwhelming involvement in the music that surrounds and lifts me into the flow of the music. Transplendent Purity. Enjoy the Music D
Calvin, I humbly suggest you take your time on the speaker choice and hear as many as possible. My friend Stan built a speaker that has base that impressed Rick, a lot, and we are working on my next set that will have much better highs than the ones I'm using now With the same or better bass. You'll just have to do some audio tours. D
Tboone, Glad your getting a personal taste of magnetic magic. I remember how thrilled I was at my first listen. I've gone totally crazy since then with High Fidelity stuff and every single step brought more Magic, joy, delight, amazement!!!! Cheers D
congrats to calvinj on building his system, congrats to Tboooe on getting himself a ct-1 digital cable, talking about bass, I could not stand for more at all!, it's not exaggerated or bloated, just crazy deep and plenty of it, cheers.
I am auditioning the CT-1 digital cable. Ive only listened to it for about 1 hour but my initial impressions are that its very clear and airy with very very good bass. More to follow.
@ audiolabyrinth Well I got my resonessence dac and I'm probably moving into a reference level speaker. I'm going to be slowing down after that. I have to get this all settled in and then I'm going to basically stop getting Gear and start doing small tweaks and enjoying this massive music library that I now have. Rick from high fidelity has been great helping me figure out my system. It's time to slowly buy and build it now. We are in phase one. I will get it all together and let you know how it goes. I want to have all of this settled by the holiday.
Well I got my resonessence dac and I'm probably moving into a reference level speaker. I'm going to be slowing down after that. I have to get this all settled in and then I'm going to basically stop getting Gear and start doing small tweaks and enjoying this massive music library that I now have. Rick from high fidelity has been great helping me figure out my system. It's time to slowly buy and build it now. We are in phase one. I will get it all together and let you know how it goes.
Calvinj, must be nice that you are getting to try nearly everything under the sun, I envy you!, I love what I have, however, it is always fun to play, this is the same as, I will try this ferrai, now this porche, this mercedes, awsome!, you live once, you will have fewer what ifs turned over that will not be left in the back of your mind, maybe one day I can talk you into some Dan D agostino momentum equipment, used, any of it.,BTW, you may talk all that you want about the High-fidelity cables on the Tara Labs thread, I enjoy all that you say Calvinj, just as I enjoy what Ddraudt has to say, a great learning exsperience for me, cheers.
@audiolabyrinth. Ok I guess. That's meant for me. No problem keith. I'm just being honest. Like I said you are ok with me. You can do and say whatever you like. I always have told you that. We all have our opinions. I respect yours. That's cool. It is what it is. How is your system going. I'm in the middle go another component revamp.
No!, what difference does it make that I am talking to Ddraudt about Tara labs or High-fidelity cables here? Dave knows what I like, I know what he likes, this does not divide our friendship at all!, calvinj comes on the tara thread all the time talking about the HF cables, I dont care the least bit!, I enjoy what he has to say about his cable journey, and his love for music, cable brand has nothing to do with it, I like many here on this thread, your comment to me is like saying, hey dude, if you like Magico, you cannot talk here because this is a thread that all of us like Tannoy, really, whatever.
Audiolabyrinth, Keith I have found that high Fidelity Cables and other products make any component sound better and have proven it to myself by hooking $60K worth of HF stuff to a $4k system with unbelievable results. I've tried many combos of system with more expensive cables than components but not at a 15 to 1 ratio. HF sounds even better with $60K+ worth of components too. This post is not for those with the faint of wallet. I do recommend that you try an HF power cord. Most impressive!! Enjoy the music!! D
H Ddraudt, That's funny you mentioned that you would change your componets to accomadate your cables, I have been doing that for many, many, years now with tara labs cables, when this is the solution, then you know you are happy with your cables to the point, if anything changes the presatation or tone, that componet is gone!
Tsushima1, I agree that the UR IC's are Revelatory. I hope you get to try HF power cords also as they are as big as an improvement OR MORE than the signal cables. Totally mind blowing purity and imaging with much more detail, speed, pace, tone, intimacy, emotion…… louder also. Note: I have gotten more out of my HF UR full loom by applying the same techniques of isolation damping and shielding I use on all other components. I'm at the point with these marvelous High Fidelity products that I would change my components to ones that work better with these cables, cords and filters. They are That good. as a matter of fact I'm hoping to audition Ricks new Magnetic Conduction Amplifier soon. Cheers D
Tsushima1, I certain have experience the loss of volume with the HFC speaker wires on the Enhanced, Ultimates, and Ultimate Reference, but it is not on all recording. This just mystifies me as does this effect going away. Since I have a most limited understanding of what is going on in these cables all that I can say is that the effect is part of what is going on in these cables. Thus far I have found no other cables that can compete with the HFCs.
Interestingly the HFC power cords on amps and to a lessor degree on preamps increase volume. So they cancel the effects of the speaker wires.
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