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
I have refrained from posting on this incredible (lengthy) thread for a long while (and to some extent, reading it). If one likes HFC, as I do, I question the rationale of some to post here every week on almost the same topic/config. You know, even cheerleaders take a break. We know HFC makes a big difference, my wallet does that as well ;-)
There are different ways to audio nirvana, e.g., I sold off one HFC CT1-UR and, for the same amount, upgraded my power conditioner, some fuses and isolation devices; finally added high-quality bypass caps in the xo of my speakers. The sound quality is way much better than before.
Sometimes we old farts - I am sure John won’t take that offensively - can turn a misunderstanding to perceived hostility or more commonly, frustration into cynicism. I hate to see great people getting into unnecessary fights. Maybe PMs or better still, a phone call, would help to alleviate the misunderstanding.
Before some of you respond, I am not targeting you but only some of "the regulars". Sometimes less = more, thanks!
"My music is on and sounding so amazing!!! I hope you all get to hear a system like this some day. Kind of amusing to see folks explain how they misunderstand and misused a product then tell me how it dosent work. Amusing but mostly annoying. I never had a HF magnetic product not work or not get better over time. I have tried almost all HFC stuff. It is perfect for me. YMMV. If you don't like it don't keep it. I wonder what others are hearing when they listen to a good audio system. Or if they have ever heard a good audio system. I have listened to many expensive audio systems and I have heard some good music.. but I have only heard two really great sounding systems in 4 decades. Both were modern systems with High Fidelity Cables throughout ."
I would agree that this comes across as condescending. Interesting to know that anyone who doesn't draw the same conclusion as you has "misunderstood or misused" the product. It's too bad that someone else who expresses a contrasting opinion is "amusing but mostly annoying."
I have been following this thread for a few years and it has led me to purchase a variety of products from this fine company that have made a very positive difference in my system but this has not applied to every product I have purchased from them. However, this thread which used to have such value now seems to be filled mostly with comments from fanboys rather than legitimate audiophiles. I don't doubt that you are hearing what you think you're hearing but I certainly doubt your objectivity about what you're hearing which makes it hard to find credibility in some of the statements that you and others make. For example, some have suggested that plugging in an MC-0.5 into a receptacle is making a difference even if that receptacle is outside of the circuit is just absurd. If you are noticing a difference here, you should get a refund from your electrician for not properly providing you a dedicated circuit. Just to be sure, I tried it with my MC-0.5 and not surprisingly, I heard no difference. I think comments like this do more to hurt High Fidelity than help it. Just sayin...
hifial Good question, i hope you(we) get some feedback on it. I own the Hemisphere, but can not compare it to the Distributor. I can tell you that the break in on the Hemisphere is long. Exact hours i am just not sure now. I would guess north of 800 hours, my TV and Sat. box are also plugged into it so it has been drawing current for a while always in use. Out of the case it sounded good for maybe the first 6 hours. Then later in the day i listen again, the sound was still clear but closed in, very much between the speakers with no real depth. As i listen today the sound stage is starting to take off. The depth is returning slowly and its sound has gotten much wider than the speakers with great clarity. The sound is not thin by any means. I have noticed that it sounds better after the first CD is played in a listening sessions. Like it has to warm up a little. My Preamp and Disc player are always on(24/7) with my amp in stand by when not in use. Enjoy Pete
Hifial and 68pete; I agree, Hifial asked a really good question and I also would like to know the answer to it.
On a different note, I'm thinking one reason the Hemisphere takes so many hours to break in is because I believe it uses the Furutech GTX-D Rhodium R outlets. I own and use 5 of them and they took about 500 each to fully break in and sound consistently good.
Perhaps it is your amp needing to reach its operating temp that you are hearing. Even though it is in standby it may need to be"on" to reach its peak. Of course I am guessing because I do not know what amp or for that matter Preamp and Disc Player you are using. It could be any of them as some equipment needs to have a signal run through it to sound its best. I would think it would be one of them before the Hemisphere but perhaps not.
Hello hifial If it is the amp, i have never noticed it until the last couple of days. As the sound stage improved is when i noticed it. My system consists of: Esoteric CO3x pre amp Esoteric KO3x SACD/CD player Mark Levinson 335 amp (on a dedicated 20amp line) PSaudio P10 and Power base (not on dedicated line) 8 MC O.5s and 1 Hemisphere High Fidelity Transparent interconnects ReferenceXL MM2 XLR on all Transparent speaker cables Reference MM2 (right below the XL line) B@W Matrixs 800 speakers Thanks for the info Enjoy Pete
Hi lak I am sure you are right about the Furutech GTX Rhodium outlets adding to break in time. Rick all so told me the magnet set up in the Hemisphere is all so very different from the Distributor. Enjoy Pete
Abraxis, I apologize, at least for myself anyway, that you find us posters on this forum to be fanboys or shills for HFC. My intent has always been to post my personal experiences and I can assure you I have been a serious audiophile since before my college days over 40 years ago. I have had a multitude of speakers, electronics, cables, tweaks, room treatments, analog front ends, you name it. I always thought the limiting factors were with electronics but found myself at least partially wrong when I tried my first HFC cable. At one point I had about $80K of NBS cables but went to other cables prior to HFC. Like others here, I have paid way too much on HFC products, but when hearing what are almost certainly the biggest changes ever, it is hard not to keep pursuing the addition of these products to my system that keeps improving the sound ever more. I would have to consider myself being dishonest if I were compensated by convincing others to buy these products. I am in technical sales in the medical device industry and learned a long time ago not to operate this way.
My system consists of: Essence solid-state power amp, Essence tubed preamp, Manley Steelhead phono stage, SME 20/2 turntable with Graham Phantom arm and Lyra Titan i cartridge, Homemade speakers with Audio Nirvana 12" single drivers with alnico magnets, JL Audio F113 subwoofer, NOS tubes, KL Audio ultrasonic LP cleaner, and 8000 LP's. I also have a digital rig but rarely listen to it. For HFC products I have 3 pairs of UR interconnects, U speaker cables, a URH power conditioner on a dedicated 20A line, a URH power cable to the Manley (my amp and preamp have custom power cords with round military connector), and 7 of the MC-0.5's plugged into the wall and into unused conditioner outlets.
I personally am not aware of any shills on this forum and hope there are not. No one has steered me wrong yet.
Benjie: Here is what I have found. First, in my system the signal cables made a bigger difference than power cables. IC>speaker cables>power cables. And the closer to the source, the bigger the difference. The MC-0.5s made a difference similar to upgrading a level of cables each time I added one but they are still breaking in, so I am not sure of their final effect. I would imagine there to be a point of diminishing returns on HFC products but I haven't reached it yet. Going up the line on signal cables seemed to accelerate the further up the line I went, at least to UR products, but others who have been lucky enough to hear URH and Pro signal cables say the change in sonics is even greater, as they should be with the accelerating prices. I also heard a great effect in adding my URH power conditioner. So I have found like the others that it seems the more the magnets, the better the sound, although their position also affects the effectiveness of the sonic improvements as I mentioned earlier. I would venture that if you have experienced big improvements in your systems and like the effects, you will, like me, probably run out of money before reaching the point where the products stop improving the sound.
benjie, thanks for the question! I have had most of the HF cables my system and have heard them in my friends systems many times as well. These friends are mostly audio industry people who have great desire for the best audio. THE Ct-1s were a real eye opener to a different sound, a cleaner more musical and lifelike than I'd heard before. That got me hooked! I have spent most of my time and all of my money pursuing HF Magnetic products since this thread started. I have tried every level of HF products and agree with Roger the the quality of each level is amazingly alluring. Each has taken me to a realm in audio I hadn't heard before. "Shockingly Superior" to quote a reviewer friend of mine. In my system the power cords made the biggest improvement, but that was comparing power cords from Ultimate to URH with cables of that same level. The Pro level is another story as the interconnects and speaker cables sound like they are from another universe! Point is...each level up has bigger and more powerful magnets because of the theory that the more magnets you add, the more amazing the sound gets. I have friends who have more magnetic stuff than I and their sound is more amazing. I have 8 MC-0.5s which sounds better than 4. I know folks who have 9, 11 and 18 of them. They all claim amazement.
shill is some involved in a swindle. no swindle here. just enthusiasm. I see reactions from folks even though no one was mentioned in my post
IF You actually read into what I said as something aimed at you, May I suggest that it may helpful for you to ask yourself why you thought that. As for using my name in a post full of lies, I report abuse. There are folks that go from thread to thread calling people shills and other names for the fun of it. You know what they are called. ME, I'm listening to beautiful music as I type. Thanks to all of those who love music! Cheers D
Wow, thats great let us know how they effect your system sound. How are you deploying them in your system? Do you have any other HF equipment or cables? Enjoy Pete
As far as expanding AC outlets, I was noticing on the Audio Advisor website some Audioquest 3 outlet power cord adapters for $34.95 each. This adapter appears to be more robust than cheap power strips. It fits on the end of a 15 amp power cord that could then be plugged into an AC outlet, providing 3 AC ports that could each hold a MC-0.5 magnetic waveguide. Seems like an inexpensive way to hold a couple of extra waveguides. I may give this route a go as I have some decent extra power cords around to fit the AQ adapter.
There are also single to triple with a short cable. Again industrial style. I have two in black. They work VERY well. And I a few of the above style version. Also work Very well.
hifial, thanks. Looks like a cheap alternative although not really sure why the power cord/AQ adapter wouldn't work. Guess I will try what has been already tried first.
I too have noticed that getting the MC-0.5s to the outlet is the best way to go. I tried running a power cord to a Quad box but I noticed I lost some of the resolution. On Video you could really tell, the image was not quite as "jump out at you" as before on my 85"UHD Samsung.
Luckily, when I ran my 3 dedicated lines using 10 gauge wire, I installed a quad and a duplex on each line. Of course all outlets are the Furutech GTX-R with the Oyaide outlet covers. (overkill perhaps, but I will not have to change anything in the future).
Hello ozzy It sound like a great set up on the 3 dedicated lines. How much of a improvement is adding the last 4 MC O.5 to the system? Was it as big a bump as when you add the original MC O.5s? enjoy Pete
68pete, At the moment, with just about 20 hours on the extra MC 0.5's being plugged in I would say no. I think the biggest bump was the intial set. But, perhaps with more hours on them it will improve.
I bought one of those YellowJacket AC splitters ($15 at my local hardware store) with the 2 ft cable and expanding one outlet to three. After disconnecting the single MC-0.5 magnetic waveguide that I previously had in the only unused AC outlet that is in parallel with the outlet that powers my HFC URH power conditioner, I plugged into it the splitter. I then stole 2 waveguides from the unused outlets of the power conditioner to fill the other 2 expansion slots in the splitter, along with the waveguide I disconnected. This made a huge difference in the magic midrange that HFC products improve, i.e. huge soundstage, more immediacy, transparency, speed, dynamics, detail, tactility, ease. So two conclusions: the use of a cabled splitter works as others here have posted, and the MC-0.5 makes a much greater difference upstream of the power conditioner than downstream.
So I was wondering: Has anyone daisy-chained splitters? I was thinking of using a splitter in the parallel AC outlet, into which I would plug in three more splitters of some configuration, giving a total of 9 outlets into which to place MC-0.5s. For the math wizzes out there, each added level would increase by a factor of 3 (i.e. cube) available AC outlets. I suppose there is a limit to this idea but wondering whether anyone else has thought of this or tried it.
ozzy2,190 posts05-07-2016 12:53pm68pete, At the moment, with just about 20 hours on the extra MC 0.5's being plugged in I would say no. I think the biggest bump was the intial set. But, perhaps with more hours on them it will improve.
ozzy, You have 12 MC 0.5s. When you say initial set, do you mean 1st 4 MC 0.5s?
My wife says I am not trainable but every once in a while I shock her. I can just see her rolling her eyes as I tell her what I paid for audio cable containing magnets. The audiophile nightmare: coming home from a business trip and my wife tells me she sold all of my audio equipment for what I told her I paid for it.
I think the initial 4 had the most impact. Probably because that first set introduced the magnetism. So, if that was a 9 out of 10 the next set of 4 was another 5 and the last set perhaps 3.
lak, and rlawry,
As long as I can keep paying for the new equipment with selling off my old stuff I am ok. But...sooner or later...
I just ran across this on the web. Was wandering if any one has tried it or could offer any info on it. The Power cube it basically offers a 5 to 1 plug adapter (not a strip) that plugs into the wall outlet. Would be used for adding 4 MC O.5 to a single wall outlet instead of 3 MC O.5 on the adapter from Lowes. Although it would hold 5 MC O.5 i do not think you could get your power cord plugged in with the 5th MC O.5 in place. It says it is 15 amp rated with a resettable fuse. Would the resettable fuse cause a problem for the MC O.5s?? Could you still use it on a 20 amp dedicated line? Any info at all thanks Pete
Does anybody know if you power down your system to complete off for a week or more does it affect the High Fidelity products? Do you need to build hours back up again to resume the great sound they are providing? Thanks Pete
Interesting question, Pete. I just returned from a 7 day trip, in which I had unplugged all power cords. I have been running the system for approximately 3 hours and it is finally beginning to sound its old self. I was bit concerned, as the soundstage had shrunk; bass was a bit bloated; and very hi-fi-ish. I am compelled to unscientifically attribute the change to sitting idle/unplugged.
Mmmmm, why was jmcgrogan2's post removed? , I went all the way to page 55, got tired of looking for his post, I was curious because it seemed a few member's were talking to them self's for many, many pages before I discovered who they were talking too, any way, wanted to say hello to everyone, enjoy the music.
68pete and siddh, I would say for the most part yes.
If there is no signal (but is still plugged in) for an extended period of time then it will need some play to sound its best. Though we are talking about small changes. Unless it is for a very long time, a month or more. But still not as bad as being unplugged for the same amount of time.
If unplugged (the longer the worse) it most definitely will need time to get back to its best. Here the longer the disconnect the bigger the difference in sound. And the longer it will take to get back to it best.
However, it is all system dependent. In some systems it could be a smaller difference in sound and shorter time to get back vs another system, that were both disconnected the same amount of time.
Also it will be different depending on what type of cable. Interconnect, speaker, power.
At least this is partly of my own experience and partly talking to Rick about this in the past.
Hi siddh Thanks for the info, I put the question to Rick and he said just what you did. It would loose some but it would only take a few hours to get it back. What High Fidelity products are you using? Enjoy Pete
Rlawry, Hi Roger, I was looking for the YELLOWJACKET splitter you mentioned but could not find online. Thanks for what you reported on your experimenting with The MC-0.5s. I will try moving some of mine. I have 5 before the distribution and 3 in the distribution box. One problem with daisy chaining these is the weight of all those 0.5s. I have to support a 3 way splitter with three .5s so it dose not pull on the outlet. I am thinking that using power cords to get to the outlet seems to limit the effect due to distance. I have seen some "short cord" plugging strips that may work,. I saw some 8 inch long "splitter power cords" which split into two that one could plug two 3 way outlets and 6 MC.5s. I could make my own short splitter cord with better wire, and better plug and iec ends. maybe a 3 way cord splitter combo that holds 9 of the MC-0.5s!! I only have 8 of the MC-0.5s now and I'm just paying off a new amp and DSD system so I have no money, but I hope to get my next 4 in a month or so. Enjoy the music!!! D
Hi, Dave: I actually have two of these lighted 12 gauge power block cords that convert from one AC connector to three using a 2 foot cord. One is a YellowJacket #2882 by Coleman Cable, which has a fan-shaped connection block, and the other is a UtiliTech Pro #0067995 that has a flat connection block. I plugged the UtiliTech into the AC outlet upstream of my power conditioner and the YellowJacket into one of the 3 ports, so I now have a total of 5 of the MC-0.5s plugged into the 2 power blocks. It seems these make a bigger difference here than plugging the waveguides into the unused AC outlets on the conditioner. So it may be that the waveguides are required to magnetize the cords but at least they are short.
I have a full loom of HFC cabling. It has taken me awhile to get to this upper level, and lots of cash...mostly purchased used...but it is as follows:. 3 Helix power cords; 2 UR and 1 Ultimate interconnect; and a set of UR Helix speaker cable. The audio with Rick's cables does seem to improve with age, so it was disconcerting to return home after having everything unplugged and find the magic gone. Tonight, though, hours of playing and all is how it should be.
rlawry, I still think the closer you can get the MC-0.5s to the wall the better they perform. Just try (3) MC- 0.5s with one of those orange 3 way taps from a Home Improvement store that plug right into the wall outlet.
ozzy, thanks. I can't use those multi-way plugs since it would block another AC outlet in my 4-outlet box (quadplex). However, there are some others I might try including an angled multi-way plug and even one of those 5-outlet adapters shaped like a starfish that I could plug into the power block.
Rlawry, I built a splitter today using Furutech power cord wire (1 ft.) Furutech latest best outlet NFC, a copper cord plug from ATL, a shallow outlet box. To this I added two 3 way splitters ( the kind that don't block the other outlet) orange from Lowe's with one straight out and one to either side. Just screw this to the wall and add six MC-0.5 mag filters. They don't make 20 amp splitters that I could find because we can't connect several appliances to one line. But I was able to use very good quality parts to the splitters. This allows me to use all 8 of my MC-0.5s at the wall outlet. more with a right angle splitter from Lowe's. I can always make one or two more split systems and add 6 more .5s for each one. The Sound, after 5 hours of listening, with 8 mag filters at the wall outlet it seems to sound more real and 3D then with 3 in the power distribution box. Still early as the splitters can take 5 days to sound good. Also comparing absolutely ridiculous to absolutely ridiculous is harder that one might think. It May be psycho-acoustics from a psycho-audiophile. But I will have a more definitive answer in a week. Will try to pm you some pics. Cheers D Ps. I would try to avoid parts that have surge protectors in them so I can have 12AWG wire straight thru for better connection.
Rlawry, Thanks very much for your report on the sound of MC-0.5 power filters BEFORE the power cords and distribution. In my system that move was astounding. I SAT TRANSFIXED FOR MANY Many HOURS!!! With many days of break in yet to happen, it was shocking to hear such an amazing improvement. I got a real education in quiet background as I thought my system was “black hole" quiet. It was not! Not compared to this… I though I was hearing the performers suspended in space but compared to what I heard yesterday, they were suspended in slight haze. Now there is nothing but the performance sitting there in front of me... WOW! NEVER heard this anywhere before! The Bass, detail and dynamics are much better also. Highs started out hard but improved nicely during my 8 hours of listening Difficult aural pieces were so much clearer and more defined. I could hear individual choir members and there diaphragms. SO beautiful are the harmonies now. I can feel the Bass more too. I well report later about the refinement after break in. Cheers D
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
