Here is the recommendation from SR's Ted Denney himself:
Yes, you can put a Master Fuse on your amplifier, but in all likelihood, you will try one or two higher up in the signal chain, like your DAC and or PRE, and choose this as your place to stop. In the system with a loom of Purple and/or Orange fuses, the point of diminishing returns will likely be reached with the addition of one or two Master Fuses higher up in the signal path. If someone would like to try a third Master Fuse, sure try on your power amp (or Ethernet Switch) But in all likelihood, most will find their best results with one or two Master Fuses higher up the signal chain than the amplifier which is end, or very near the end of the chain.
|
No-one has mentioned whether it matters which way around you insert your fuses.
No-one has mentioned that your house supply contains other fuses and breakers, most of which are a lot bigger and thicker than those in your audio system. What about them?
What about the fuse for the supply to your turntable? Can this make a difference too.
What about the fuses for the supply to electrostatic speakers?
Do tell us!
This time and money-wasting exercise sure still has a long way to go.
|
SR usually says ( I know they did for Purple) the fuses are directional, and easy to tell difference...
|
we each decide for ourselves only, when enough is enough...it can be fun you know...
|
I had Purple for a while in my integrated and DAC. It was interesting, but I ended up preferring the sound with it removed eventually; too much bloom and mid-bass emphasis. I could see these working for less musical systems though.
I think this is honestly a cash grab and realizing that competition from QSA has proven there’s demand for higher priced fuses. I’ll try one in my DAC. Only thing I’ll lose is time, but for me it’s a fun process.
|
No-one has mentioned whether it matters which way around you insert your fuses.
No-one has mentioned that your house supply contains other fuses and breakers, most of which are a lot bigger and thicker than those in your audio system. What about them?
What about the fuse for the supply to your turntable? Can this make a difference too.
What about the fuses for the supply to electrostatic speakers?
Do tell us!
This time and money-wasting exercise sure still has a long way to go.
These things have all been mentioned and discussed - but your purpose in these threads is not to participate earnestly, but to denigrate the product and those who enjoy them. Please stay out.
|
|
|
@Carlsbad
That makes sense to me if you can afford to replace the amp. Do you re-solder the AC input receptacle to bypass the whole fuse receptacle?
I feel like I'm about to turn to the dark side of the force.
Halz
|
I’m a bit curious as it sounds like these fuses are meant to be used in tandem with the less expensive but more "musical" Purple and Orange fuses. I can understand this, in a few components I found Purple to be absolutely tubby and midrange saturated. On the other hand, I have tried QSA fuses that were very high resolution and dynamics, but totally lacking in fullness, texture, and bass. I imagine these might be similar, pushing the envelope technically, but relying on other fuses to make the sound musical/listenable, and easy to overdo with more than one.
I’m less inclined to think of these as a cash grab than being stuck at a fork where they aren’t able to put all the attributes they want in a single fuse, but they can make an overpoweringly technical fuse specifically for upstream components.
As much as people complain, I’ve used 3k power cords that have an equivalent or lesser effect than an SR fuse. Unfortunately, I think QSA did realize this and cranked up their prices to closer match other power products.
|
Always buy the most expensive fuse that SR dishes up every couple of years as although they do nothing (except some previous versions I tested extensively did blow as they were rated improperly), the higher price does increase your expectation bias and thus the imagined improvement. Especially when fuse direction is tested...you know you can hear the difference because you know you’re Special, and although fancy fuses have been rejected by the vast majority of audiophiles and manufacturers (and really, what the hell does Nelson Pass know anyway?) you feel better...and people respect you (maybe)...you’re smart and a little more sensitive...you do get a 30 day trial period to return them, possibly casting doubt on your Specialness, and hey...you don’t want that.
|
Question:
How can a fuse be directional if it is built identical on both ends?
|
|
I never tell anyone about my upgrade fuse
|
@dabel ,
Appreciate the response, but what exactly did you mean by it?
Are you saying by some proprietary process it somehow becomes directional as if one end of the identically ended fuse receives some secret treatment the other end doesn't, thereby somehow making it directional?
|
Sounds about right. But in all honesty @thecarpathian, I don’t believe Ted has ever disclosed this information, at least not through my readings anyway.
Quote
Q: Are fuses directional?
A: Yes, fuses are directional. Electricity should flow from the left to the right when you view the fuse (from "S" to the "R"). If you do not know the direction of flow, you should listen to the fuse inserted in both directions. One direction will sound more detailed. This is the correct way.
I’ve studied the direction of electricity flow prior to inserting any of these fuses in the gear. Therefore, "set and done" so to speak. For those of you with any ModWright Instrument Amps specifically the KWA150 Signature Edition, one needs to be delicate and extra careful during the process of fuse removal and installation.
|
Do a live test of fuse directionality with any group of serious listeners and you will notice that no consensus regarding audible differences of fuse direction will occur. I dare anybody to try this (I did). And Dabel, since you're apparently incapable of noting sarcasm, by "special" I imply special listening skills claimed by the Fuser community, not your pseudo spiritual claptrap.
|
wolf_garcia
Do a live test of fuse directionality with any group of serious listeners and you will notice that no consensus regarding audible differences of fuse direction will occur ...
You probably couldn’t get a consensus on anything else from them either, such as the best DAC or better sounding phono cartridge. Almost by definition, you don’t get consensus on preference - especially with audiophiles.
As an aside, what's a "live test"?
|
so to speak.
(I did).
And I also noticed really no audible difference @wolf_garcia by doing so.
|
A live test is a test in real time with people in the room.
|
A live test is a test in real time with people in the room.
As opposed to - what? A test with no one in the room?
If you're allowing your subjects to communicate about the test, that's not a valid test.
|
It never ceases to amaze me when people just assume that just because they don't hear or understand something it must be true for everyone. Not only that, they have this insuppressible need to 'enlighten' everyone who, god forbid, had a different experience. Look, if you tried something out and didn't notice any improvement, good for you! Move on! Maybe the tweak or component didn't synergize with your system. And that's ok. But you have no business deciding for other people what's worth their time and money or not.
|
Didn’t work for you? Great. Save your money.
Don’t believe in it? Great. Save your money.
Don’t understand it? Great. Save your money.
Is your equipment is not up to snuff? Bummer. Save your money. Buy some better stuff.
Want some measurements? Go see Amir over at ASR.
I trust my ears.
I'm looking forward to reading more real-world reviews on the SR Master Fuse.
|
|
I have not tried SR fuses. Fuses do change the sound. I notice it when I replaced blown fuse.
|
@jayctoy
myself I noticed the difference when I replaced amplifier fuse with at the time Hi Fi Tuning Black Fuse, so I tried Synergistic Research Orange Fuse it make some big difference in Middle and Low end.
|
I had Purple for a while in my integrated and DAC. It was interesting, but I ended up preferring the sound with it removed eventually; too much bloom and mid-bass emphasis. I could see these working for less musical systems though. I think this is honestly a cash grab and realizing that competition from QSA has proven there’s demand for higher priced fuses. I’ll try one in my DAC. Only thing I’ll lose is time, but for me it’s a fun process.
@cd45123,
I had the same experience. I put one in my custom Clayton Audio M-200 stereo amplifier. In the closest external spring loaded fuse holder to the IEC. Now it could just be that I did not give it the 50 to 300 hours needed to burn in. But after I took it out and replaced it with the ’regular’ fuse’ the ’Clayton Audio sound/voice’ was back. The funny thing is, I’m using all SR cable and it sounds fantastic without their own fuse! On my system, that is.
|
If you replace a blown fuse you will notice an immediate improvement to the sound since when the fuse is blown there is no sound at all.
|
|
Synergistic welcome to ripoff city.
@ebm Why?
|
Just received my Master fuse.
ozzy
|
Ozzy,
Looking forward to your observations after you have some hours on the fuse. Which peice of equipment did you choose to install it in ?
|
I'm going to use it with my Lumin X1.
ozzy
|
@ozzy Fantastic, hope this is a shootout with your QSA Red/Black too.
|
@ozzy really interested in your first feedbacks ! Thanks :)
You are probably still in burnin process but what are your first impressions ?
|
The SR Master fuse is pretty fantastic. The sound stage depth and width increases and there is a calmness in the sound that is really impressive.
I can't explain how just a fuse can perform so well; but the proof is in the listening.
ozzy
|
ozzy
Thank You for the report. Will the new SR Master fuse, replace your QSA fuse(s) ?
Happy Listening!
|
Anyone actually interested in improving the sound/presentation of their system and curious, as to whether a simple fuse change might make a difference, can audition the Synergistic, at home, for 30 days, without risk.
Click on the following and scroll down slightly. You'll notice a proclamation/seal, promising your money back, if dissatisfied.
No excuse not to try them for yourself (or a plethora of Synergistic's other products in your own home and system, with your own ears*) to dispel any mystery.
SO MANY variables
SO MUCH bias, unfounded opinion and REALLY SAD humor, from the usual triggered snowflakes.
*Obviously: one must trust their ears, as well as their capacity for discerning the truth, because the Denyin'-tologists will tell you, "You're crazy!" (or some variant), should you determine they improve your sound..
https://www.synergisticresearch.com/fuses/master-fuse/
HAPPY LISTENING!
|
jafant,
Yes, it has replaced the QSA red/black fuse.
The QSA fuse is still very good and does provide good detail. But I think the SR Master adds more depth and as I mentioned previously, more calmness. I prefer that sound.
ozzy
|
I received fuse today and it's already phenomenal. After just a few hours of listening, I can say that the sound has become more holographic, it is fuller and very clean. It’s on another level than all previous ones. I’m using it in my streamer/dac and it replaced purple. Already thinking of buying second one for my preamp.
|
these very positive reports here are terrible news...
|
Thanks guys I'll be ordering one for my DAC next week, but with the 30 day return I could try one in my power conditioner too......
|
I use both the purple fuses and the Audiomagic beeswax fuses. These things need at least 20 hours to settle in and will get better over the next 50 hours.
|
Will be ordering 6 ASAP!!
|
|
Man, I am really digging the new Master Fuse that I installed in my Lumin. The music seems to be getting better daily. Still hard to comprehend why a fuse could make so much difference. Relax, just enjoy it...
If you guys are daring, you should try one in your main source component. Shake your head and then post your opinnion/reaction.
Notice I posted above to state your opinion After you have tried it.
I think there is a 30-day money back, so no worry other than the initial cash outlay.
ozzy
|
@ozzy Oh dear, guess I'll need one for my streamer and one for my DAC.
Are you using the same size fuses for your gear or going up one level as recommended for Purple? Thanks.
|
lordmelton,
I went a little higher in value. I think SR is only recommending using one of the Master fuses for your source equipment and the rest in your system to be purple.
ozzy
|
ebm ..... the six you are ordering, are they for separate components or internal fuses for an amp etc?
|
sheridd2,
I think someone is being the typical wise guy. Ignore his post.
ozzy
|
