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Happy New Year to all!!! As 2015 was quite challenging for me both personally and professionally I'm looking forward to 2016.
One major change I made in my main rig was swapping out 2 pair of MIT Oracle V1.1 interconnects for 2 pair of HFC CT-1's. I had always felt that the MIT's were rolled off at the extremes and I'm thrilled that I made the change, I won't belabor this point except to say that all the accolades that these cables have accumulated are dead on and well deserved - they truly are Game Changers.
All my power cables to this point have been DIY, this has been where I have scrimped so I could spend in other areas of my rig and I think it is time to graduate to some "Big Boy" power cables. The HFC CT-1 that came out a little while ago is right around what I would like to spend when bought used - $1500.00 to $2000.00. If the power cables have anywhere near the impact of the interconnects then I feel they would be a wise choice. I'd like to hear opinions as well as from anyone that has 1st hand experience. Justlisten2 I would really like to hear from you as you seem to have spent a lot of time with High Fidelity Cables in general.
Follow Ups:
Thanks to everyone who took the time to post here. Lots of good info here IMHO. I will definitely stick with the CT-1's as interconnects as I was stunned by the improvement they afforded me. I agree with SgreenP, price is not an indicator of performance, the MIT Oracle interconnects that the CT1's smoked are worth double the $$$$ used as opposed to the CT-1's. That being said, to me price/performance (law of diminishing returns)is an issue, so I will happily remain at this level while I test the waters so to speak on the CT-1 power cables. The HFC U and UR series are out of my price range and while having experience with Rick's products, I'm sure the CT-1E would be an improvement, I will devote those funds to the CT-1 power cables which I feel will offer the most improvement in my rig. If not, nothing ventured - nothing gained.
Justlisten2, I think you are on to something here, given the technology of HFC. A low level signal (a turntable to phono-pre or phono-pre to preamp) is just about the lowest level (voltage and/or current wise) that you will find. These signals are usually the easiest to corrupt or impede, so IMHO, anything that can be done to aid/enhance will have the most effect. That is why I will place the 1st 2 power cables on my transport and dac.
Just a note Wood1, if you look on the HFC website you will notice that the CT-1 power cords are recommended for low current applications, source, preamp, etc.
So your decision to use them on your transport and dac is a good call.
I want to audition these cables/cords- any of you guys want to give a shout out for your fave dealer/retailer?
fantja..The Cable Company has them and will be glad to let you demo whichever model you want. Ask for Paul.He is great..
Can you tell me more about the Cable Company and how it works?
Basically they lend you cables to listen to in your system for a given time for a fee. I'm not exactly sure, as I've never used them.
I find it easier to just buy and try cables on the used market. If they work, I keep them, if they don't I sell them.
The Cable Company is a nice idea, but their prices are a bit steep, plus an extra 6% for me since I live in PA.
Hello wood1, happy new year!
Yes, the HFC stuff is very impressive. I have not heard the CT-1 power cords, but I did own (2) CT-1U power cords.
In my opinion, the HFC stuff changes my previous cable cords belief system. I used to believe that the power cord had the most affect on the sound, followed by interconnects, and finally the speaker cables.
However, with the HFC stuff, I feel that the interconnects have the most affect on the sound now. Also, the closer to the lower level signal, the more affect it has. For instance, the largest impact is the CT-1E from my turntable to my phono stage. I can't explain why, but maybe it's because the magnets have more affect on smaller signals.
I am at the full E level now, and I cannot see myself going any higher. Mostly because I have heard from other members that the biggest jumps are from going from any other cable to the CT-1, and then going from the CT-1U to the CT-1UR. Since the UR is waaaaay out of my reach, there is no sense fighting like hell to get to the U level. I did find the E level a slight improvement over the CT-1, but not enough of an improvement to make me water at the mouth for U's.
Also, I have heard a lot of the old Virtual Dynamics cables.cords too. While I would say that tonally and dynamically they share a lot in common with the HFC gear, I felt the sound-stage with the VD cables was far too forward sounding for my tastes. The HFC cables seem to have solved this issue, as they have a well layered sound-stage.
You really shouldn't be sucked into some other person's opinion of this or that. All cables sound different on different systems. Also, just because it is expensive is no validation that it is better for you on your system. Be sure if you do decide to move to different cables (or anything else) to hear how it works in YOUR system in YOUR room with YOUR hearing. There is no such thing as the absolute sound. My violin sound different in every room that I play in...or in every concert hall I've played in.
Hear, hear!
I too like the sound of the HF CT-1 IC and PC.
I do notice a slight leaning toward harmonic fullness.Slightly off ,from the most transiently quick.
Listening to the Crystal Cables will demonstrate this particular trait (ICs).
The CT-1 ICs blend very well with the Omega Mikro PPCs.The slight transient edge definition of the OMs compliments the full harmonic qualities of the HFs.
If needing a little more definition and focus,adding one or two of the Omegas may do the trick.
Not something one might notice without a back-to-back comparison.
Tom:cat
Happy New Year!
Has anyone compared the Hugh Fidelity power cords to Virtual Dynamics? I would expect some similarity since the same guy designed them. I have Virtual Dynamics David power cords and am very pleased with them.
I've got these on my Esoteric D-02 DA/Preamp and Audience Power Conditioner.
And these on my Evolution Acoustic speakers!
Hi
After trying the CT-1 Interconnect and being stunned with what I heard I have gone with CT1-E digital, Ic's and speaker cables and CT-1 Power cables.
I am also using CT-1 speaker cables direct to my sub,
I would not consider spending more than I have already on cables and I would be more than happy with a full set of the entry level CT-1's all round as the law of diminishing returns does kick in. I do not want to be tempted with the ones further up the HF food chain so have not considered those.
From my listening so far the best bang for buck are indeed the CT-1 Power cords and IC.
I previously used Combak Harmonix, Stealth, Acoustic Revive, Frank Tchang Livewires and various PC,s.
It has taken a while to get here but I am very satisfied with what I am hearing and I agree with yours and many other comments, the HF cables are indeed very,very good.
I am still using the original dedicated Harmonix Studio Master power cables to my Reimyo DAC & Transport and that is an area I have not played around with.
Cheers
Hi and thanks for your input,
good to hear. I'd like to go with the power cables 1st as that is where I know I'll get the most improvement. The rest of my cabling consists of Rick's Virtual Dynamics Revelation Signature series, balanced from my Wadia 20 to the Genesis Digital Lense, Balanced from the Lense to the Wadia 15i and single ended from the Wadia 171i to the lense. Speaker cables are Revelation series biwires. The Wadia 20 and 15i sound markedly better when using balanced cables. I have proven this many times with different manufacture's digital cables and just switching back and forth between balanced and single ended.
The 171i only employs a single ended connection so I may upgrade to a CT-1 there but only after upgrading all front-end power cables and possibly speaker cables also.
I'm with you on the law of diminishing returns as I really can't see going past the CT-1E series and I may be perfectly happy with the base models. I'm really liking how my rig is sounding, I really never envisioned getting to this point so even if stick with my signal cabling as is I'm satisfied. I know I need to do something with the power cables so that is where I'm going to start.
you will not go wrong with the CT-1 pcs as they are superb. I have 3 of them and could easily go higher but they were so good immediately that I will stay put for a while..
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