Audiolabyrinth, I do have a "full Loom" of Ultimates in my signal path but in my system that is 1 digital and spk cable. My new amp will require trading the one digital for a set if IC's. My plan is to move up to UR when my funds equal my desire. selling ultimates.
Having run test on all iterations of HF CT-1, E, U.. I got a UR digital in today and I'm excited for this weekend.
I don't have a "full loom" on power just the UR power filter.
Everyone who has one of these UR power filters is raving about the
unbelievable, never before experienced, not thought possible presentation. |
Thankyou calloway, you are a gentleman, that is polite! |
Tonereef, yes is the simple answer to your question. In my experience the Es took longer to reach their best than the originals, and the Ultimates took considerably longer than the Es. Certainly my early versions of the URs took a month to break in.
I would also say that better and more extended bass is one of the characteristics of the Ultimates once they have broken in.
The slippery slope will continue with the ac filter using UR waveguides. It may take a month to break in. |
@ Leicachamp, I read this thread but not everyday, That is why I asked about the full loom, and no, I have not tried the High-fidelity cables, what difference does that make, concerning asking questions about how most of you use the cables!!, and no again, someone not running a full loom of High-fidelity cables will not stop me from tring some!, you have a strange way of being hospitable! |
You can read my review about the Ultimate cables on Dagogo and I talk about the breakin. The short answer is yes they do become much weighter sounding, but they go through some bad times first. |
i do, but i didn't start with a 'full loom'.it wasn't a difficult decision to add the speaker cables after hearing how great the interconnects were.i started with the CT-1's and upgraded from there to the '1E's' and now the '1U's'. could not be happier....unless i had the '1UR's'.. |
What if NOT all of us use a full loom? Will that stop you from trying the cables?
If you already know, why ask for confirmation?
Have you tried a single HF cable in your system! |
I know all of you do, I need to confirm, Do all of you run a full loom of High-fidelity cables? |
At what stage is my current speaker cables the weak link? I have been using a ct 1 for about 5 months now. For me they sounded great when I first installed them in my system. But in the past month my system has been sounding incredible. So good that I am now trying a well used ct1 e. With only a couple of days audition I am truly suprised at how much better the ct 1e is.
So back to my question. I am using argento serenity speaker cables ATM. It is showing all the improvements I have made upstream with the ct1 and ct1 e.
Would it be better to upgrade to say a ct1 u or upgrade my speaker cables.
Or would changing the speaker cables to HF reveal more improvements with my current setup? |
Do the lower mids down on the Ultimate ICs fill out with burn-in? I'm just starting fine burn-in in my system, and I feel the bass lacks a certain weight that I hear in live music and with many other cables. (I had the same impression with an unbroken-in pair of Es that I auditioned.) Not just the bass, but for example the subtle chestiness of Patricia Barber's voice seems missing. Even now the cables are extraordinarily quick and transparent, but somehow it's not quite real. |
Rick is definitely on a roll of creativity, it's hard to suppress talent. |
HF power cords.
I just got a picture of Ricks new ultimate reference power cord.
It appears to have 3 UR interconnect waveguides in a stand in the middle and powerful magnets on each end.
the 3 "wires" look the same as UR cable.
I hope to test one soon.
can't post pictures here but, if you get your email to me I can send.
perhaps a more savvy computer guy can post pic and send link.
D |
Ddraudt, I totally agree. |
Calloway, yes a very nice article that does an excellent job of describing what I'm hearing. That's why Jack Roberts is a reviewer and I'm not.;-).
What is really noteworthy, is that I am hearing those huge improvements with Ricks UR Power Filter.
There is a Ultimate version as well, I hear.
Friends, there is a whole other
world of improvement if you do the power also..
The production model of the HF UR power filter is just about here
so check with Rick (and you financial advisors)
IMHO - ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! |
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great new review of the CT-1UR cables by Jack Roberts on 'Dagogo'....someday I will try them |
I just dipped my toe into a pair of the CT-1 basic interconnects. Instantly I hear a reduction in background hiss/hum, and a neutrality that is very welcome. The break-in period has a little bumpy ride in a way that it sounds better one day and worse (i.e., too exciting) the other. It also performed better between CD/Pre than between Pre/Pwr. I have only one week with the cable but I have no doubt it belongs to the high-end category. It's not the smoothest yet but I hope either a higher model or more break-in will help. The greatest strength I can conclude so far include low background noise, neutrality, top-to-bottom coherence, detail retrieval and imagery focus. |
Ultimate Reference improved
Friends, I am so fortunate to have received the final version of the UR waveguides for my HF Wave Guide Power Conditioner. These are the same waveguides that come in the UR Speaker cables.
I had an earlier, prototype version of the waveguides in my WGPC and it, along with my all Ultimate cabling, was AMAZING.
The improved UR waveguides are a WHOLE NEW WORLD in realism.
also in bass extension, soundstage width- depth- solidity- air- texture, naturalness, involvement, effortlessness, dynamics, wow factor and more. And that is with less than 100 hrs on them.
I can hardly wait for more hours!
I will report back in time.
The eval team was shocked that this stellar system could sound so much better - in every way. The sonic presentation was so improved,
we heard it right away but, had to listen for several hours just to get a handle on the new sound. (having never heard a system sound that good).
Rick, you are a genius!!
I will now have to sell my Ultimate cables (and everything I own) ;-)
and get UR cabling.
Hoping to get a UR digital cable soon to try out.
Boy! Are we having fun now!!
D |
I am really impressed w/ this specific thread. It is very lengthy (a good thing) and the exchange of ideas are wonderful. Bravo! |
Hello Snook,
As noted earlier in this post (which has gotten quite long), I received a custom, light-weight CT-1E phono cable for my RS Labs tonearm. It replaced an earlier custom HF phono cable (with earlier-generation connectors), which had, in turn replaced a Hovland MGII phono.
I never had to change anything. The sound just got better with each upgrade in cable. When the day comes that one of the kids knocks the RS Labs tonearm off the stand and breaks the built-in tonearm cabling, I will definitely have Rick re-wire the tonearm so I can go ALL the way from the cartridge to the speakers with HF cables.
JA |
How are these cables working on Analog setups
Has anyone had to recalibrate the phono section and tonearm to make them sound their optimum? |
Thanks Ddraudt, have upgraded the SC to CT1E and ordered one CT1U to hear the diff with the CT1E IC. With this additional investment, I wonder if it would have been better spent on a better source or DAC.
Looking to hear the comments on the CT1UR. |
T-
Expect considerably more break-in time required than with your previous ICs. Its just a given. During break-in, I gradually heard flashes of what was to come, which kept me going. Now, I couldn't be happier. You DO get a bit spoiled however, as I now take for granted musical cues and minutiae that I couldn't even HEAR with other cables... :-)
Another thing I found out is that your results with Rick's cables are only as good as your weakest cable. IF your weakest cable is strong, you are in for an audio treat. |
Good evening Folks.
In no small way due to the generosity and swift personal attentions of Rick and the consummate professionalism of Richard of Lotus HiFi , HiFidelity cables UK distributor , I have a set of Ultimate Reference IC's on initial hours burn in doing their thing betwixt CDP and Pre amp and shall pen a few thoughts as they mature . |
Right now the system is sounding the best it ever has. I know a full loom would take to another level but pulling the trigger which I will do is difficult. I know it will be better but hesitant at the moment, I like what I'm hearing but I know the full potential hasn't been reached yet as the cables feed off of one another with the magnet technology. I hope my accountant calls me soon with the damage so I can take the full plunge. |
Morningstaraudio, I think my Ultimates and Ultimate Reference speaker cables are now broken in, but I do remember several big jumps in performance as you describe. I do think each successive cable in his multiple series takes longer to reach their best and that each is a jump over those preceding it. Price is the only off-putting aspect of the newer series. |
Just a quick note with break in of these cables and my experience.
I ordered the CT-1U digital cable just a little over a month ago. I shut down the system a few times within the month for 12 hours at acrack just to give my components a little rest. I figure I have 650 or so, the Digital cable opened up and was an immediate improvement when first put in, so much so I ordered a pair of the CT-1U IC's a few days later. This all sounded very good but now I have 502 hours on the IC's as of yesterday and Thursday morning I fired up the system and was just astounded by the transformation that the system had taken on. Everything just opened up to another level. My point in my system is that 500 hours is the mark you have to hit with TC-1U IC's to begin to be rewarded.
So much so that as soon as I hear back from my accountant as to how much taxes I will owe this year, I will be ordering a pair of TC-1UR speaker cables. I would have ordered them on Wednesday after talking with Rick but between having to shell out money for a shipment of our new DAC's that will hit the market in April and the taxman calleth, I have to be sure I have enough funds to pay Uncle Sam, my accountant and Rick.
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I received loaner CT-1s two weeks ago. I placed them between the dartzeel pre and emmlabs cdse. There was an improvement immediately. Their sound was transparent but bright and forward. They definitely opened up and settled down after about eight days or about 40 hours listening. No brightness.
Very transparent and musical. I can't wait to hear the ultimates.
I next placed the interconnects between the dartzeel pre and dartzeel amp. Immediately they were bright, forward. No air behind the music. Just thought they needed to break in as before. Waited another 20 hours and there was no change. I usually get loud music on the volume control at the 2 o'clock setting with the dartzeel interconnects. I could not get past the 12 o'clock with the CT-1s without the sound being harsh and etched. I thought there was a problem with the preamp so I contacted the dealer. I am using the dartzeel 50 ohm bnc interconnects. He advised that there should be no mismatch. I have to conclude the dartzeel interconnects are the better cable by a large margin on that gear.
That said, I will definitely be checking out High Fidelities on the digital end again. |
Jazzonthehudson, In my experience, the U series CT-1's really separate themselves from the 1 and 1E in all aspects of musical reproduction.
everything the first two did, the Ultimate does better- a LOT better.
But Beware… If you listen to these High Dollar speaker cables, you will not want to let go of them.
Also, they take 4-EVERRr to break in fully. sound ok in a week but improves to breathtaking in 2000hrs.
I hope other Ultimate owners will comment on this.
DD |
Would appreciate to hear your comments re upgrade from CT1E to CT1U interconnects. I have a full loom of HFC and am very pleased, having skimped a bit on the SC, I am in the midst of upgrading from the CT1 speaker cables (just listed) to the CT1E version. |
Tsushima1, Great that you are getting UR interconnects! I also have the CT-1 U interconnects and I'm interested in how the UR compare.
Enjoy!! DD |
i will be interested in your findings as i have CT-1U's also.thanks |
Should the Audio Gods be of benevolent humor my CT-1 Ultimate Ref IC's may be with me a week hence . I shall endevour to post a few thoughts upon initial replacment of the incumbent CT-1U's. |
Siddh, Rick argues that his cables remove the noise that in getting through with other wires and being amplified thus sounding louder. I do know that on a sound pressure reading, I am listening to Rick's cables louder than I listen with other cables. I also know that my wife doesn't complain that I am playing my music too loud. This is especially the case with regard to the first cut on Cantate Domino. I play it very loud and enjoy it enormously. |
Rick is sending me a set of "low resistant" speaker cables. I will let you know how they compare. With the regular Enhanced set, depending on source material, the gain has become slightly less of a concern. Yet, some material just seems to require more drive. My amp, CAT JL-2, seems to run at the top of it's capacity. Something, I have not earlier experienced. |
Tsushima1, I've been using High Fidelity cables for eleven months now. The conductor in them has more resistance than silver or copper. There is some question as to whether the reduction of noise with these cables means that the work by the amp is reduced. At any rate I have noticed no change in where I play my music. I do think I do play music louder than before given the realism with these cables. |
Siddh
"Did you notice a drop in output gain?this poses a problem of having to jack the volume knobs way up."
@Siddh,
With a few more weeks on the clock I am curious as to whether you have been able to reign back on the volume control or does this particular facet of the speaker cable remain unchanged in your system ?
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I have been wanting to try the High Fidelity cables in my system. Has anyone tried them while connected to Synergistic Research universal Galileo either interconnect or speaker cells? And both? If anyone has experience, what was the differences with and without the cells. My appreciated for anyone that has any information I can start with on demo'ing these cables. Much Appreciated!!! Thanks. |
If high fidelity ct-1 comes out with balanced xlr I'm all in. The RCA are still great I can only imagine how the balanced would sound. The technology rick uses is tight, clean, fast and clear without being bright. |
While waiting for the balanced HF cables to be introduced, I noticed this from Darwin Cables.
Our challenge to compare our Ascension line to any cable at any price stands.
Has anyone compared this cable to the HF line? |
Fplanner,
That was well said and true. Upon placing the CT1-U digital cable in my system there was an immediate improvement. However over a period of weeks the sound quality continued an upward climb. In hind sight probably a couple of months to reach its ultimate potential. This addition to my system is a near profound positive effect (one single cable from transport to DAC !).
Charles, |
I have the Ultimate Reference speaker cables. They are quite good, after what seemed like forever break-in. I never had the Ultimate speaker cables so can't really help you with a comparison - wish I could.
I completely agree with the 2nd component of HF cable break-in which is the associated equipment break-in to the magnetic currents. This is a VERY big thing and you won't really know when its done until your jaw drops at the musical presentation. To think for 2 seconds that you can get a real sense of the HF cable performance by just sticking it in your system, REGARDLESS of how well it has been cable-cooked, or even used before, is pure nonsense. Unfortunately, that's the way it goes with this technology. If you are willing to wait until the components also get broken in to the magnetic currents, you will be richly rewarded. That has been my experience as well as that of a number of others, some who have shared their experiences on this forum. It takes MORE THAN A DAY OR TWO, especially with the more advanced HF cables. Mine are STILL improving, after 2 months!! YMMV, of course. Too many people, I'm sure, don't give these cables enough time in their systems to truly hear how good their systems can sound. That's too bad, but easily corrected if desired. |
Calloway, I hope to move up to UR series in time, selling my Ultimate
interconnects( 1M) and speaker cables ( about 9.5 feet).
At this point this is a future dream as I have new speakers being built
and hope to buy about 20 sets of Stillpoints. So, unless I receive an unexpected windfall, It would be 2015. By Then, who knows, I may be wanting some newer series of HF cables. |
Ddraudt, I agree with your logic about the breakin of the HF cables. Perhaps there are two breakin relationships with one being the breakin of the cables and the other is their influence on the components. I can make no judgment of which would take longer. I do know that after they have stabilized, a slight movement of them sets them back for perhaps an hour. I also know that initially they sound better for about two hours and then deteriorate from which they come back even better and that this period is longer with the better series, such as the Ultimates and Ultimate References.
Calloway, there is always the question of affordability, but in reality these are very inventive cables. It is quite clear in my discussions with Rick Schultz that each of the four series of these cables all represent further improvements and performance, but I must say that my greatest shock came when I first hear the original CT-1s. As you say, one can work up in these cables and be satisfied with each level. |
Ddraudt...i emailed Joel at '6 Moons' and thanked him for the great review.he mentioned that the HF cables were not necessarily for everyone due to their cost.but the review, and others like his , of cables and other audio gear that are relatively expensive, are important. on the used market these cables can be affordable as owners upgrade to higher levels.what is too expensive at ~ $2000 may be affordable at $1000 and give someone the HF experience that we, HF owners, know to be amazing. |
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Calloway, I enjoyed that 6 Moons article- thanks for mentioning.
The author explains the effects of HF cables well.
The article mentioned an old adage ,"Don't listen to them if you can't afford them". Sounds funny but true of audio auditions.
I didn't think I could afford HF cables until I heard their unbelievable
transformation of my sound. How much is it worth to be in an undiscovered realm of magical sound?
At this point, I have more money in High Fidelity cable products then the rest of my system. I am thrilled by the newly discovered major upgrade to Reference Quality Sound and adjust my system to improve it further.
Happy Listening
DD |
Tbg, From reading and listening to Rick, the principals of the magnetic conduction and it's effect on the systems components. There is a claim that break in time on magnetic cables includes "magnetic saturation" of components. If true, (and I have no reason to doubt), Then break in
prior to shipping will have limited effect. I have used a cable cooker and had HF cables played for weeks in other systems but still had to wait to hear the best sound. As we know, cables can be sensitive to movement,
so there is some break in time ofter moving cables. however, the break in time ofter moving is so long I don't think it is just moving cables.
I believe different folks with different systems will have varied experiences.
I'm loving the music!!
Hope you are too.
DD |
There is a great new review on '6 Moons' of the CT-1 and CT-1E... |
Ddraudt, actually David, I think for about two hours you can hear the HF cables at pretty much what they will ultimately sound like, but they go downhill thereafter. Fortunately the Enhanced will be largely back in about one or two days. I noted no dramatic improvements after about two weeks.
Rick Schultz does say that he is going to burn in his cables more lengthily than he has, so what we both say may be less true or not true now. |
