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High Fidelity Cables CT-1designed by Rick Schultz

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

Al
alpass
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Personal taste is what it is, who knows what someone else may prefer? This much I know, the HF CT1 series of cables are no "flavor of the month" product regardless of how a particular individual may rank them in a comparision.
ddraudt's avatar
ddraudt
609 posts
 
Nglazer, Welcome- I had a Stealth Sextet digital cable that I loved.
It beat out all competition until the CT 1.
In my system, compared to High Fidelity Cables, the sextet was nothing.
Happy Listening
DD
chris_launder
66 posts
 

I 1st heard the CT-1's between my Cd & preamp , if was revelatory , the 1st cable that I can actually say seemed to be free from any type of colouration , so clean that the sound initially appeared to be a tad lean , until true bass signal was required . The seems to be a marked step towards removing the sense of listening to electronics and simply listening to music , occasionally , when my system is playing in the background , I will stop what I am doing and sit down and revel in the sound coming from my system . I now use CT1's between my phono stage & preamp and also have acquired the speaker cables as well . The missing link is the absence of balanced cables to go between pre and power , but that will come , one day .....
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Chris_launder,I too had been using balanced cables. Fortunately, my preamp, Exemplar XP-2, had both balanced and single ended inputs and outputs. I compared what I thought were excellent balanced cables with the single-ended CT-1s, then CT-1Es, and then CT-1Us versus the balanced cable. I now am completely single ended. It is an open question for me as to whether or not the HFCs in balanced will be greatly better than the single-ended ones.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I now have a WGPC Ultimate Reference, which now has about 14 hours on it. After about a half hour, I thought that it had the characteristic HF attributes, namely defined bass, sweet and extended top in, and great easy and clarity. I had four StillPoints Ultra Fives lying around. No, I don't just have a box of them sitting here. They had been under my line stage which now has Ultra Minis under it. I put them under the rails extending front and back of the WGPC. My initial impressions were quite favorable, but supper called.

About two hours later I returned to play more music. I sat in awe most of the remaining evening and hesitated to go to bed. Since these use Ultimate Reference wave guides, I expect a long break in.
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