Where do you buy these fuses in the US? I don’t see any advertising?
tweekgeek.com |
jafant, My modest CD based system currently consists of the following:
audiolab 8000CDM CD transport Audio Note DAC Kit 1.1 NOS tube DAC Antique Sound Lab T1 passive autoformer preamp Antique Sound Lab Tulip stereo 2A3 SET amp Audio Note AN-E-L speakers
These components are supported by numerous accessories, tweaks and mods, that I have found essential to getting the best out of them over the years. I am always looking for new ways to improve their performance.
My goal is to get as much of the life, energy, engagement and enjoyment, that I find in live music, out of my CD collection as possible. My musical tastes cover a wide variety of genres; rock, pop, classical, classic jazz, folk, classic country, bluegrass, Christian, Irish, Celtic et al. Basically, good music is good music, regardless of the style. |
In my pursuit of enjoyment from home audio, I refuse to have my world made smaller by those that reject, and ridicule, anything they can’t understand, explain, or measure. |
I know at least a couple of you here have ordered the next step up yellow fuse, and I am very interested in hearing about your experiences. Also, if anyone has the entry level black version, please post as well.
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mglik,
just got another QSA light blue today, and swapped it in for the SR orange in my amp. The QSA easily beats the SR. I don't have any experience with the HiFi tuning fuse, but I think you can cross the SR orange off your list. |
I am also happy to have an alternative to SR. The fact that it is quite a bit less expensive is a bonus. I would love to hear what the upper end QSA fuses can do in my system, but it’s not very likely, any time soon…unless some generous benefactor lets me borrow one😉
Meanwhile, I am loving what the the last light blue in my amp brings. The increase in realism on vocals is especially noticeable. |
I keep thinking of the dwarves in their dark shed, in C.S. Lewis' The Last Battle. |
willgolf,
As I said above, the light blue QSA in my amp easily beat the SR orange it replaced. It looks like t_ramey had the same experience in his DAC, as well:
“My QSA light blue arrived early. It’s replacing an SR Orange in my Lampizator Atlantic DAC and the QSA is easily better. At half the cost of the Orange it’s better in every way. More naturally detailed and musical.”
I don’t have any experience with either AC receptacle, or know of anyone who does. |
mgik,
Can’t help you with that comparison, but I think that Tweek Geek’s generous policy would allow for ordering both, and returning one? |
Does TG give a trial period?
Yes, 30-day money back. |
lemonhaze,
Since I’m not brave (or foolish?) enough to go fuseless, even temporarily, as a test, I’m stuck with trying to figure out which ones sound best/do the least damage, within my budget. |
Using anything but variable potentiometers for volume control needs to be stamped out! |
As someone who has a longtime interest in passive pres, and alternatives to variable potentiometers for volume control, I actually think George’s Lightspeed Attenuator has the potential to sound very good. I’d be interested in trying one, but the main hurdle I’d have to get over is his behavior on this forum. I can’t help but wonder how many other potential customers have been deterred by it? |
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My wow was at the bitterness being displayed. Not much more you can say about that.
Frank, did you end up ordering a yellow fuse? |
rixthetrick,
Yes, that was an outrageous (and hypocritical) statement, to make a point. Doesn’t seem like George got it, though. |
Still loving what the light blues are doing in my system. The additional realism, weight and clarity they bring raise the listening experience to new heights. |
I do wish this forum had an ignore feature. I know it is hard to ignore when he is deliberately trying to stir up a fight, but please don’t feed the troll. Pointing out his history of obnoxious behavior is clearly not going to deter him, so not responding to him at all really is the best way forward. |
Regarding the profit margins on these fuses, we can speculate all day long, but we really don’t know. Obviously, the maker is in business, and looking to make a profit. It also seems pretty clear that they are purchasing stock fuses in bulk and applying some sort of proprietary treatment to them. What we don’t know, and what they aren’t going to tell us, for sound business reasons, is how much the treatment costs them to apply. Sure, it could be ridiculously cheap, but it could also be horrendously expensive. Probably somewhere in between. The mere fact that something is expensive doesn’t tell you whether or not there are legimate reasons for it to be that way. |
Please stop making this thread all about George and his bitterness, which is exactly what he wants. He will post whatever he posts, but those of us who are here to discuss the topic at hand in a cordial and respectful manner don't have to respond. |
As far as the duplexes, I believe there is a review forthcoming from Clement Perry at stereotimes. I suspect it will be of the higher end ones, though. Might not be real helpful if you are looking at the lower end ones.
Obviously he is selling them, but Michael at Tweek Geek seems to be a straight up kind of guy, who is not just in it for the money. I think he could be helpful in getting an idea of what to expect from the duplexes.
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t_ramey,
That will be be a very interesting and helpful comparison. Look forward to your report. |
One difficulty I have in describing the improvements these fuses, and certain other tweaks, make is that they’re pretty universal, not focused on a particular frequency band, quality or area. |
My red stones just shipped, looking forward to hearing what they do. |
tsushima1,
You assume I am trying to convince others of what I am hearing. I am sharing my experience. Others can try what I’m saying for themselves, ignore it, or ridicule it. That’s their choice, I have no control over them. |
Got my red QSA stones in on Monday. I am waiting to see how they settle in a bit, so I can get a good handle on what I’m I’m hearing before I report. Going by their description, they seem to be targeted toward system “tuning”. The effects are predominately in specific frequency bands. This is from the Tweek Geek site: “3 types of stones Red = Warm - These seem to affect the upper bass and lower midrange primarily, affecting the decay of instruments and overall ambiance and lending real woodiness to wooden instruments, and a realness to the human voice. Upright bass, cello, violin, and acoustic guitar sound fantastic.
Blue = Open - The Blue Stones reach the upper mids to lower range of high frequencies. This gives an openness to the sound. Things like reverb and hall decay start expanding well beyond the speaker boundaries. Things are less congested.
Clear = Transparent - The Clear seem to affect the upper regions, aiding in transparency and clarity of the high frequencies. Cymbals are clearer and decay longer. Hall ambiance is enhanced and overall clarity and transparency are improved.”
I tend to prefer tweaks/changes that make improvements across the board, not just part of the spectrum. I will say that I like what I’m hearing with the red enough that I went ahead and ordered the blue and clear ones. They’re on their way. |
“Which particular Fundimental Law/s of Physics might be applied in explaining how these ‘QSA products’ are capable of producing such a manifestation?”
I could try and speculate, but I really have no idea. Fortunately, no explanation is required to take advantage of it. |
Will this “scientific credibility” improve the the sound of my system? If I am applying for a research grant, then I need some scientific credibility. The amount needed to improve my system is exactly zero. |
I don’t mind dialoging with tsushima1, because he is able to do it in a courteous manner, without descending into mockery, personal attacks and accusations.
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t_ramey,
It does seem like the red stones take at least a few days to settle in. I like what I’m hearing, but I’m trying to determine if, while certainly improving the frequencies they are targeted at, they are having any adverse effects on others? I’m thinking that, if your system is pretty neutral, or balanced, across the audible range, then all three types of stones might be the way to go. The next question is, do they play well together?
I have the reds on top of my power conditioner (CPT Equi=Core 300), figuring that way all my components will benefit, rather than just one. |
Got in the blue and clear stones today. Bottom line, in my system, they all work as advertised, and, together, they are greater than the sum of the parts. It has been one fun ride! A little hard to believe the system I’m listening to now is the same one from earlier today. |
I have two of each (red, blue, clear), all on top of my CPT Equi=Core 300. I had the reds there for a few days, and added the blue & clear earlier today. I was really liking what the reds were doing, but with all three it seriously sounds like I have a new system. Improvements across the board, and not subtle at all.
I had listened to the reds for a few days, and they improved the upper bass and lower mids just like what it says on the Tweek Geek site. I then added the blues, and, sure enough, the upper mids and lower treble improved. I was going to wait a while to put in the clears, to get a handle on the reds and blues together, but I got impatient and threw on the clears. After they settled in a little bit, the highs got better and it all just came together wonderfully. |
If you like what the fuses are doing, then the stones (all three varieties) are definitely worth trying. Here’s an interesting tidbit from the Tweek Geek site:
“QSA Stones are about 1.5" in diameter and about 1/4" high including the gem stone that sits on top. The stone itself is a brownish color, and the bottom is coated in a special noise absorbing material. This material can be seen painted onto their AC receptacles as well. The gem stones are also used on the upper tier outlets as well as the Red/Black fuses.”
It seems the stones use some of the same materials as the high end fuses and AC outlets. I’m thinking they’re maybe a way to get some of the benefits of the expensive stuff, on the cheap.
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Among the things the QSA stones have brought to my system, one that stands out is the distinct improvement in PRAT or musical flow. I find my toes tapping, start dancing in my seat, or even get up and dance, more. Reminds me of the original Naim NAIT integrated amp I had early on in my audiophile adventures. There was definitely something special about that amp, in terms of PRAT. I particularly notice this with U2's War album, one of my favorites from those days. |
Frank,
Glad you're liking the yellow. I'll probably upgrade to them when I can. Meanwhile, the stones have done amazing things in my system. I’m thinking there may be a “synergy” going on with them and the fuses, possibly with PPT products as well. They certainly all play well together. |
Generally, I like to change one at a time, front end components first, but you could start with whichever fuse is the most convenient to change. Obviously, you would want to do both amps at the same time. It’s always possible that you could like the effect in one component, but not another. |
