Okay. I’ve ordered a 6 pack of Stones. 258.00. Should be interesting because I might be the only one trying them without the accompanying fuses.
Quantum Science Audio light blue fuse; $71, what a bargain!
I wanted to start a new thread about the more affordable versions of these fuses. I don’t doubt that the higher end versions are amazing, but most of us aren’t very likely to be able to hear them for ourselves. Fortunately, pretty much anyone who is serious about building a musically enjoyable and engaging system can get a good taste of what they’re all about.
I’ve had the light blue QSA fuses ($71) in my CD transport and DAC for over two weeks, now. They replaced SR blue fuses, at around twice the price, and easily bettered them. I am expecting one more light blue tomorrow, to replace an SR orange in my amp. I’ll give an update on that, once I get it installed and listen.
Meanwhile, here are a couple quotes from my posts on the other thread:
“What I am hearing is; voices & instruments are more solid and lifelike, with increased natural detail and sense of space, better dynamics, and a more relaxed overall sound.”
“Just got in a second light blue fuse for my DAC. So far, more of the same improvements I got in my CD transport. Very nice!😃 One thing I appreciate is the break in seems to be pretty quick, without any of the nasties you get with some other stuff. Pop it in, and you’ll hear improvements in short order, at least that’s been my experience.”
I am continuing to greatly enjoy what these fuses bring to my system, and am really looking forward to getting the last one in my amp.
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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. |
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. |
No need for personal insults George, just trying to clear up some misinformation. You brought up the issue of fuse directionality. I hope all yours are now all aligned correctly and you are freed from the the mirror misconception theory you harbour.and promulgate. Good luck with the OCD. Therapy can be extremely arduous in advanced cases. Since your multiple responses across multiple threads involving fuses are virtually identical, to save time may I suggest you set up a macro to save you the laborious process of re-typing them ad infinitum. Hope this helps. |
Your lid blew off ages ago. That’s triggered a little lesson in "snake oil" therapy, for those that are not sure yet about "fuser voodoo". . Cheers George |
don’t forget the insertion direction, everything is reversed in the mirror.😵Actually it isn‘t George, it’s only an optical illusion. Sorry to shatter your delusion. Your amp sounds the same looking directly at it or as a reflection in a mirror. No need to.to swap fuse directionality every time you change your view. Try an A-B test someday. You‘ll be able to leave the lids on your amps permanently. |
Immediate impression, at least as good as Orange. Slightly smoother, more liquid, yet also more dynamic and lots of subtle details coming through with a more natural sense of ease. Part of this undoubtedly is the Raven getting more hours. Whatever, and however you want to parse it out, there is just no doubt this is a damn good fuse and a bargain for under $80 with shipping. I will probably be getting at least one more, and maybe even try the next one up the line for the Herron. |
One of the three will be incoming AC for the whole amp. Try that one first.@millercarbon, that is exactly the question I wanted answered because I remembered you saying ’just try one’ on Agon somewhere but you never said where a single ’boutique’ fuse to try should be put in the power chain. That is a very special Pure Class A amp.@grannyring, it sure is. I think I got lucky with this one as it was custom made for Al Kaglik of Hi Fi Art a Clayton distributor in Canada that was for sale for over 2 years and for some reason was still available when I had the funds to purchase. the amp is perfect cosmetically and operationally. There were no subsequent upgrades to the amp — it didn’t need any. It was built this way from the factory with the heavy duty power supply like in the M-200. In fact, if I take more pictures, you will see the M-200 badge on the amp signifying this… And the above was verified by Wilson with a serial number check. So in effect, I ended up buying a Wilson Shen in house over built Clayton S40 beast! For about half the original cost in almost new condition as Al didn’t hardly use it. GR, I follow this blog and ’steal’ as many audio ideas I can from you. For example yesterday wolf, with the help of wig, sold me a used 8ft helix speaker cable pair for half the price of a new set with:
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I have a yellow in the preamp. I had a VTL fuse that was installed during a repair by the importer’s technician and it sounded good ( note that my pre is Air Tight ATE2). After maybe 30 hours the system is singing better every day. At first the sound was better, more bass etc. It was good but not a knock out. After a few hours I thought I was used to the sound and not much changes in sound appeared. After a while it really began to sing. Don’t know if it will continue and when the sound quality will stabilize. Very very happy with this fuse. Expensive but worth every penny. |
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. |
My red stones arrived Monday and I'm still experimenting with placement. They certainly have an effect on power cables but I'm not sure if I like it yet. So far sitting on power supplies seems to sound best. I'm tempted to order the blue and clear but I have a purple and yellow fuse coming so I will wait and see how things change. |
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Maybe it will help someone. I talked to QSA and found out about the differences between the fuses. When choosing, it is necessary to specify the type of fuse: dot or spring. Perhaps the burnout of popular audiophile fuses is associated with the wrong type. I have problems with burning out fuses of the wrong type on amplifiers. Soon I will get the correct yellow and purple fuses and stones and give a report. |
Which particular Fundimental Law/s of Physics might be applied in explaining how these ‘QSA products’ are capable of producing such a manifestation ? ” 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. All three have the QSA effect of enhancing flow and naturalness of the musical presentation. Things relax, but are more resolved and 3D. We use them on power supplies and power cords. You can place them on top of or below components where the power supplies are. Resting another Stone on a power cord has a very similar effect. Placing the Stones in your breaker box is also a great way to reduce noise and increase the emotional engagement factor in your music. They work very will with the Bybee V2, Quantum Clarifiers, and DMT X1 too! The stones may also be used as a room treatment, much like the Bybee V2's. In fact they really take the V2's to a new level! 3 types of stones
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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. |
You guys are doing it all wrong. What you want is the Texas Chainsaw Mascara Nah! these last few riveting post are starting to resemble members of the magic circle club. https://i.ytimg.com/vi/f16WrEdr9qM/hqdefault.jpg |
You guys are doing it all wrong. What you want is the Texas Chainsaw Mascara https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkMV0TZYwt0 |