New Audio Cable

[agisthos]

No smears or lies. They are the facts as we know them and how do we know what you are saying is fact? Are you one of those backers that pulled the plug? If I were you I would not answer that.

Because I spoke to Rick after the company was closed, and more importantly, I knew about the ownership structure of the company when I did photography work for them back in 2012-2014. It's not a new story he has just came up with.

It was Rick's face, his products, but he did not own it. Due to Covid restrictions he was stuck in Canada and unable to renew his work Visa, when the owners pulled the plug, completely blindsiding him. The main owner was a lawyer who owns a large patent litigation law firm (this is how HFC got so many patents!!!), and HFC was just a small side hobby for him that he obviously got bored of after 10 years.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Because I spoke to Rick after the company was closed, and more importantly, I knew about the ownership structure of the company when I did photography work for them back in 2012-2014. It's not a new story he has just came up with.

It was Rick's face, his products, but he did not own it. Due to Covid restrictions he was stuck in Canada and unable to renew his work Visa, when the owners pulled the plug, completely blindsiding him. The main owner was a lawyer who owns a large patent litigation law firm (this is how HFC got so many patents!!!), and HFC was just a small side hobby for him that he obviously got bored of after 10 years.

Okay.

 

[agisthos]

The upshot of all this is now there is no dealer/distributor markup, no big overhead. So Rick can sell his new designs like the Apparition RCA for $4.5k
In the grand scheme of high end audio cables that is not outrageous pricing. I think HFC's high end ic's were 10-15k.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

The upshot of all this is now there is no dealer/distributor markup, no big overhead. So Rick can sell his new designs like the Apparition RCA for $4.5k
In the grand scheme of high end audio cables that is not outrageous pricing. I think HFC's high end ic's were 10-15k.

That's nice but I will steer clear. He chose these business partners, call it what you like, guilt through association...

 

[kennyb123]

So where is he?
Did not open his new company in TX.
Maybe 3 is a charm for RS.

You claimed that he bankrupted his company in Texas. Where's the evidence of that?

 

[Republicoftexas69]

You claimed that he bankrupted his company in Texas. Where's the evidence of that?

I stand corrected now move on Kenny, his partners that he chose shut the business down, did not respond to any customers, hung customers out to dry that paid deposits on product that was never delivered. As stated by dealers on this forum.

 

[calloway]

He is living in Canada

 

[zman1]

Unfortunate that this site seems subject to the same back and forth preaching that afflicts other blogs

I do not live in Canada. AM not an investor. Began using Rick's products when he was with HFC. His backers were in hospitality business and audiophile was their love and hobby. Covid crushed the hospitality industry and their ability to continue HFC went away.'

Rick is the ultimate gentleman - done his best to make me whole as suffered some losses when HFC went down. Have two systems with RSA cabling - balanced and RCA Illumination interconnects and Illumination speaker cables. Best change yet in the cable wars the transition from MIT to RSA illumination power cords.''

Have recently added the Apparition mag vortex power center to the system and then the shockwave to my streamer. Each of the changes has added clarity and breadth to the soundstage .'

If you don't like Ricks products don't use them. We don't need to be "warned off" or be told it's snake oil. It always amazes me that those that complain seem never to have been owners of the products they complain about


Ayon Triton Evo integrated - Musical Fidelity NuVista DAC - HiFi Rose 130 streamer - VPi Avenger Reference turntable/Sumiko - VAX Renaissance MkIII phono preamp - Magnetic vortex/shockwave/cabling as above - Wilson Audo Sasha V

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Unfortunate that this site seems subject to the same back and forth preaching that afflicts other blogs

I do not live in Canada. AM not an investor. Began using Rick's products when he was with HFC. His backers were in hospitality business and audiophile was their love and hobby. Covid crushed the hospitality industry and their ability to continue HFC went away.'

Rick is the ultimate gentleman - done his best to make me whole as suffered some losses when HFC went down. Have two systems with RSA cabling - balanced and RCA Illumination interconnects and Illumination speaker cables. Best change yet in the cable wars the transition from MIT to RSA illumination power cords.''

Have recently added the Apparition mag vortex power center to the system and then the shockwave to my streamer. Each of the changes has added clarity and breadth to the soundstage .'

If you don't like Ricks products don't use them. We don't need to be "warned off" or be told it's snake oil. It always amazes me that those that complain seem never to have been owners of the products they complain about


Ayon Triton Evo integrated - Musical Fidelity NuVista DAC - HiFi Rose 130 streamer - VPi Avenger Reference turntable/Sumiko - VAX Renaissance MkIII phono preamp - Magnetic vortex/shockwave/cabling as above - Wilson Audo Sasha V

Yikes another county heard from. Yet they took deposits right up to the bitter end...

 

[kennyb123]

Yet they took deposits right up to the bitter end...

Do you know for a fact that the “they” are now associated with Rick’s current business?

I got an order fulfilled after HFC closed up via The Cable Company. They had no concerns whatsoever that my order wouldn’t be fulfilled.

What did you order that wasn’t fulfilled by them?

 

[agisthos]

There was like 4-5 people who had orders or upgrades in process when HFC went down. They were either sorted out by HFC or by Rick himself later on, even though he wasn't responsible. This is a far better wind down than 97% of audiophile business that close up shop.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

Do you know for a fact that the “they” are now associated with Rick’s current business?

I got an order fulfilled after HFC closed up via The Cable Company. They had no concerns whatsoever that my order wouldn’t be fulfilled.

What did you order that wasn’t fulfilled by them?

Do you know for a fact that the “they” are now associated with Rick’s current business?

I got an order fulfilled after HFC closed up via The Cable Company. They had no concerns whatsoever that my order wouldn’t be fulfilled.

What did you order that wasn’t fulfilled by them?

Sure it was actually my son.
To this day he has not received his cables and the retailer is out of business.
You chose wisely and based on the experiences of my son and several other friends I will never trust RS or any of his affiliates.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

There was like 4-5 people who had orders or upgrades in process when HFC went down. They were either sorted out by HFC or by Rick himself later on, even though he wasn't responsible. This is a far better wind down than 97% of audiophile business that close up shop.

Tell that to the people that got jammed up.

 

[kennyb123]

Sure it was actually my son.
To this day he has not received his cables and the retailer is out of business..

So the third party who received payment from your son went out of business before concluding your son’s transaction? Seems like he made a poor choice.

Tell that to the people that got jammed up.

You seem to the only one who seems to know an actual person who “got jammed up” and how you are relaying your story strains credulity. People who are genuinely out to help others avoid a troublesome manufacturer tend not to act cagey because a matter of fact approach serves as a far more effective deterrent.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

So the third party who received payment from your son went out of business before concluding your son’s transaction? Seems like he made a poor choice.

You seem to the only one who seems to know an actual person who “got jammed up” and how you are relaying your story strains credulity. People who are genuinely out to help others avoid a troublesome manufacturer tend not to act cagey because a matter of fact approach serves as a far more effective deterrent.

Kenny he did not belly up until after HT shut down. Also in this very thread there are people who had the same experiences including a dealer. Time for you to move on and what exactly did you buy from HT? Cable goop... Got your cagy pal. Ignored again....

 

[kennyb123]

Kenny he did not belly up until after HT shut down.

Thank you though for making it clear that your criticisms of HFC and Rick Shultz shouldn’t be taken seriously. Assuming what you said about what your son experienced is true, the takeaway from this is that he should have purchased either directly from HFC or from one of their more established dealers.

Also in this very thread there are people who had the same experiences including a dealer.

I do know of a dealer that had an issue with HFC. It’s unfortunate that stuff like that happens, but it’s also not fair to assume that such problems would occur again with Rick’s new company. Decent people try to be fair.

Time for you to move on and what exactly did you buy from HT? Cable goop... Got your cagy pal. Ignored again....

I have probably only spent a little under two grand with them across a number of separate purchases of their power doohickeys. Every transaction was flawless.

I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase from Rick’s new company. Thanks for helping to bring more attention to them. I wasn’t sure what had happened to HFC and if not for your unfair attacks, I’m not sure I would have found out.

 

[Fidelity88]

I’m so glad that I recently upgraded all my HFC to Rick Schultz Audio Apparition Series including XLR interconnects and three power cables…it is an absolutely jaw dropping experience after the upgrade! Rick’s new cables bring out the beauty and seduction in every listening sessions. Bravo to Rick and many thanks for his honesty, his top notch customer service and his contribution to the audio world!

I am deeply sympathized for those who keep living in the past and not enjoying the moment…just let it go be positive and enjoy your music while you’re still breathing

 

[calloway]

Fidelity88....could not have said it better. Rick is a great guy and superb cable designer. My Apparition cables are amazing.

 

[Salvo]

I thought I'd chime in to say, WBF is civilized and does not turn into a battlefield of keyboard warriors like A-gon, thankfully.

 

[KPC]

Engineering and Running a Business requires different mindsets and skillsets. Effective multitasking required of businesses is rare.

In this case, it seemed like a talented engineer met an investor.
To the engineer, working with someone that provides what they need (funds, business know-how), sounds like a good "Business".
To the investor, this seemed like a good "investment" at "this point in time".

Times changed, so the investors wanted to stop supporting this "investment" business so now minimize any loses. This could include selling off the equipment and closing operations asap.
The Engineer now has both responsibilities in which he is ill equipped to deal with. Now he was stuck with the aftermath while also needing to make a living himself.

There are no winners here