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.
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
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 could try and speculate, but I really have no idea. Fortunately, no explanation is required to take advantage of it.“
Of course not...altho at least some form of rational explanation, however vanishingly tenuous, might go some little way toward a scrap of scientific credibility
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Does the Quantum Science Audio light blue fuse or the more expensive ones work on solid state amps? I specifically have a Clayton S40 amp which requires three.
I own that Clayton amp. I modified mine and upgraded it pretty extensively with some guidance from Wilson the builder. Great guy! That is a very special Pure Class A amp. It responds well to fuse upgrades. Do all three if you can! If you can’t, start with the mains AC fuse as MC said.
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:
2 x 14 gauge UP-OCC wires for the signal wire
(1 or 2?) x 10 gauge Mil-Spec wires for the neutral
KLE Innovations Banana plugs
So 3 Quantum Science Audio light blue fuses for $71 each and a 8ft helix speaker cable pair for $350, you just can’t beat those upgrade prices, quality, high performance of gear and I couldn’t have done it without you guys posting here on Agon...Thank you!
As far as the red stones go I placed both in my breaker panel yesterday and this is by far the best place I’ve found for my system. I think I’m going to try the open ones next but I’m anticipating a yellow and purple fuse next week if they made the cut from QSA to Mike.
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.
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.
That’s triggered a little lesson in "snake oil" therapy, for those that are not sure yet about "fuser voodoo".
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To those "non technical" members that are interested, do not listen to fusers, listen to the techs of this industry that design your audio products. AND YOU WON"T SEE THEM ON THREADS LIKE THIS AGREEING WITH THESE FUSERS YOU CAN BET ON IT
Just clean and tighten your fuse holder and re-new your fuse (if old) with a good quality 50cent Bussman, Littlefuse or similar. As with "many switch-on surges" they do deteriorate, bend, stretch and get crusty with electrolysis formations on their fusible wire elements before they give out, as these pics show of a fuse wire element ageing over time show. https://ibb.co/9NbTwqK (even the $$$ boutique ones will age just as much also)
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.
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.
Where did you place the stones? Do you have any of the other stones offered by Tweek Geek? If so, did you hear the differences between the stones? Thanks ...
Tommy- ‘Are all the stones on your power conditioner? The reds in my breaker panel seem to be the best spot for me. The 3D effect and realism is darn good for $86. Wondering if adding the blues and clears next to the reds will create a greater effect than spreading them around the system.
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.
Would be interesting to hear how the stones compare to SR Devices...ECT, GCT, etc. Taking the cost difference completely out of the equation, which product is straight up better?
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.
Swapped out a SR Orange with a Light Blue in my Rogue RP 7 pre-amp. Will give it a few days to settle. My wife thinks I have rocks in my head with this hobby so maybe the stones are the next logical step 😃
Thanks Tommylion for starting this forum topic , just came across it yesterday. I will be ordering some of these fuses based on the comments vs the Synergistic orange fuses which I have in everything.
I am still interested in someone reporting the difference between the yellow and violet fuses . Anyway some new fuses will be coming up north of your border. Cheers!
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.
I only have the red stones at the moment and I agree the PRAT is great and infectious. My wife wants to dance when she hears the music which in turn gets me out of my seat.
I have several amps I like to rotate in and out of the system from tube to solid state and since the red stones have been placed at my breaker panel I notice each amp sounds really good. To the point of I feel like "this is as good as it gets" kinda good, until the next amp gets put in...
My third yellow and first purple fuses arrive today. I'm going to try and start with my dac as it has a light blue already and switch it out for the yellow, then the purple after several days.
The Yellow fuse arrived today and I placed it into the ARC REF-3 line stage. In my opinion, it is one of the best tweaks on the market and well worth the money by far. Everything improved over a three-hour listening session from top to bottom. The three-dimensional presentation placing the performers on the stage is really quite remarkable. The human voice is much improved. Mel Torme’ was in the room. I don’t know how much more noise is left to be removed from the system, but evidently, there’s plenty more.
This is "snake oil" to the max, to those thinking about being sucked into this voodoo. Just read this, it's all you have to do to keep an ac fuse in good order.
To those "non technical" members that are interested, do not listen to fusers, listen to the techs of this industry that design the audio products you have. AND YOU WON"T SEE THEM ON THREADS LIKE THIS AGREEING WITH THESE FUSERS
Just clean and tighten your fuse holder and re-new your fuse (if old) with a good quality 50cent Bussman, Littlefuse or similar. As with "many switch-on surges" they do deteriorate, bend, stretch and get crusty with electrolysis formations on their fusible wire elements before they give out, as these pics show of a fuse wire element ageing over time show. https://ibb.co/9NbTwqK (even the $$$ boutique ones will age just as much also)
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.
I put the Light Blue fuse in my preamp yesterday and listened for a couple of hours. I did not like the sound as much. I then reversed the direction and everything fell into place beautifully. No doubt these fuses are directional. We could hear it immediately and by immediately I mean within 30 seconds of playing my first demo song. The blue fuse replaced a stock fuse which was also new. The SQ improvement is just so obvious that anyone who cares could hear it after one song. Mids more fleshed out, stage is larger, sense of ease and natural flow improved. I like the Blue and will buy another for my dac.
I went straight from the SR Orange to the Yellow. The system was already at such a high-resolution level that I thought there wasn’t much more noise left to be removed. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Let’s hear it for the free market. Competition helps to drive it. With the improvements afforded by the Yellow fuse, I can’t imagine anyone beating it anytime soon. But, there are those in the business who won’t be sitting still. We shall l see.
My God ... what does the top of the line sound like?
I’m less than 24hrs on my yellow fuse for my dac and it’s already just fantastic. You get more of everything that you get with the blue. Not one thing is accentuated, just overall ease and flow of the music. Vocals, strings, you name it just sound more real and engaging. I’m trying to hold off on putting the purple in until tomorrow...
I just received 2 more yellows for my tube amps. I also applied some of the HF 1260 contact enhancer on the ends. As with the first yellow, I don’t detect much improvement during the 1st hour, so hopefully things improve as before.
The Orange fuse that I just took out was treated with Total Contact. I put the new Yellow fuse in without any contact enhancer just to see what it sounded like untreated. I'll get it completely broken in, then apply TC to it.
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