FUSES??? Just when I just replaced all my PC cords.

Synergistic Research has three fuses: the original SR-20, the RED, and the newest BLACK fuse. Each has different sonic attributes but within an overall house sound. Each allows more music and emotion to pass to the speakers. The RED and BLACK fuses take about 100 hrs. to fully break in.
I would suggest auditioning two fuses at the same break in time frame. I would get a fuse for the amp and pre amp. Either two  Black or a Red and a   Black fuse. Put them in and no critical listening for 100 hrs. of the system being on.
The system difference will be significant.

David Pritchard  

ebm:

Is absolutely correct. There are many audio grade fuses available. I have also tried Isoclean, Furutech, HiFi, and standard fuses.

The Synergistic Research fuses do come with a 30 day trial!

Enjoy the improvement of a good fuse. It is worth it.

David Pritchard

markeetaux:

The Synergistic Research RED or Black fuse will definately reduce some of the brightness - digititis of your DAC. You will also hear better imaging. Your 5 cent fuse is really keeping a good DAC from showing it's full potential.

I hope you will give a good audiograde fuse a trial. If you are not happy with the results send it back.

David Pritchard

Ozzy:

I think you are going to be very happy with the sound after the 100 hour break in period. I tried several approaches to the breakin but this way "seemed" the best. Ran the equipment on continuously for 50 hours and then several on and off cycles to reach 100 hours. I do think they continue to improve even after that.

folkfreak:

I agree. Scott Walker Audio in Anaheim, California may be the most experienced Synergistic Research dealer on the planet.

I hope everyone reading this thread can attend the 2016 Newport Beach Audio Show: June 3-4-5. Synergistic Research and Scott Walker Audio will be there and it is a great opportunity to talk with them directly.

David Pritchard

markeetaux:

Sorry at the last second you went cheapskate on your audio system.
Those Hi-Fi fuses are accurately named. They have been on "sale" for a long time. You will hear some improvement or at least some change in your system.

The Synergistic Research Black fuse  is currently the best audiophile grade fuse available according to most but not all who tried them.

What is not debatable is that the SR Black fuse comes with a no risk 30 day trial. This gives plenty of time to break in the fuse and try it in both directions.

David Pritchard

mapman:

I am not associated with Synergistic Research in any way. I am not a dealer, reviewer, or beta tester. I do not receive any samples or get any special "dealer pricing".

I am a Cardiac Anesthesiologist practicing in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
I am on the Board of Directors of the chamber music series "El Paso (Texas) Pro Musica". The Emmy winning cellist Zuill Bailey is the artistic director.

I come from a scientific - medical- music loving environment.
My father was Jack A. Pritchard MD who was the discoverer of the treatment of Eclampsia in pregnant women and the author of William"s Textbook of Obstetrics.

When I try to improve my listening systems I try to do so in a methodical  scientific method. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to world class musicians up close and and the same program multiple times.

I do think the Synergistic Research Black fuses are a significant sonic advancement. The cost for said improvement is small , and the fuse comes with a money back trial. For these reasons I am an advocate for the Synergistic Research Black fuse.

David Pritchard
 

markeetaux:

You were the one who posted that you were interested in trying  a " Synergistic Research RED fuse" with a money back guarantee and you wanted to "challenge the process". For the price of return postage $3.00 for regular mail and $6.80 for priority mail you could have taken the challenge.

You may have found the sonic improvements exceeded or at least matched the improvements of your new power cords. Your wife may have even applauded your decision to upgrade your music system with the addition of a new component that cost about $120.00. The fact that the sonic component is a fuse is is not important. I think you were lured into the purchase of a different fuse since it was 50 % off.

I did not say you were a cheapskate. I said you were went cheapskate on your system.  I believe Parts Connexion pushed you button with their "Sale Price".
I have been there and done that myself.  I have gone cheapskate on my system and in the long run not saved money.

Modestly priced audio systems can and do often sound better than uber expensive systems. Go to any audio show such as the Newport Beach, California show June 2 -4 and you will experience exactly this .

David Pritchard

kenny928:

I certainly can understand your annoyance with using a quantum physics term to describe basically a manufacturing process. I am faced with the same situation when reading about "health products and treatments" as I am an Anesthesiologists when not listening to my music.

So I audition products that can be returned so I only have to decide if the product improves my system. I do not study reviews, nor as I did in the 70's and 80's pore over spec sheets. Does the change in the system improve my enjoyment of the music. That is my gold standard- nothing else.

I have not tried the Audio Magic Beeswax fuse. They have a no return policy. That precludes me from evaluating their product without a pre hearing bias. It is also not clear to me when they sonically stabilize. However,they do have their proponents.

My amplifiers are all made by well respected boutique manufacturers. I have talked with them on the subject of fuses and power cords. Not one has an interest in trying or supplying an audio grade fuse or power cord with their products. They all think the audiophile will be happy with average vanilla or will tube, fuse, and power cord roll no matter what they put in their product. Bobby P of Merlin speakers was one of the few manufacturers who made very specific statements as to which amps and wires to use with his speakers. And then of course there would be all these threads here on Audiogonas to which amp and wire really worked better than what Bobby said !

David Pritchard

mapman:
Ralph of Atmosphere amplifiers has said in another thread that he has had customer feed back from many Atmosphere users that this or that fuse improved the sound of amps. But he does not supply an upgraded fuse with his amps. I can not find a post where he states which fuse to the ears of his customers sounds the best.

The amplifier builders I have talked with are not interested in evaluating fuses , power cords, expensive capacitors such as Dueland, or any tubes (except run of the mill Chinese or Russian). They leave those decisions to the minority who are really looking to maximize their systems.

Kenny 928:

I do hope you will try a state of the art fuse such as the Synergistic Research Black and an audio grade A/C wall outlet. By picking a company with a good 30 day return policy, I have found it to be a fun experiment. It seems like it is an all win situation. If you buy the fuse, like the sonic change, and think the sound improvement is worth the cost -you keep the fuse.

If you try the fuse and are not happy for ANY reason you send it back. You then have the satisfaction of relying on your own priorities in what is good sound and what is worth buying and not some reviewer.

Unlike auditioning amplifiers or speakers, no worries about shipping damage or expensive shipping costs. Returning a fuse is $6.80 USPS flat rate box priority shipping with tracking and insurance. They can be returned via regular mail even cheaper.

I do hope everyone reading will enjoy a beautiful Mother's Day this weekend. I will be fortunate to be with my mom in person and get to listen to her beautiful music system that uses an Antelope DAC, Type 45 SET tube amp, and Terasonic speakers.

And yes she uses Black fuses in her system. After all, your Mother really does know best.

David Pritchard