Something For The Fuse Guys ...

Thanks for the constructive feedback....maybe if I just turn my fuses around.....🎡

It's deja vu all over again.
-Yogi Bera

Guyz ... 

All of the changes & tweaks done to my system over the years have built upon each other. Each one has added more transparency, three-dimensionality and an overall sense of realism. With everything being added together, the overall system has been transformed to way beyond where I ever thought it could be. It seems as though the more good tweaks I add, the more obvious are the improvements attained from just one additional tweak ... like better fuses for example. The current fuses under evaluation are no exception.

We can start with a better rack. Then move on to effective room treatments. Then, macro/micro-vibration control. Then upgraded speaker cables, interconnects and power cords. Then there were several incarnations of after-market fuses. From there, I moved on to the PPT products, all excellent, but The Gate was the final icing on the cake (those who own one know what I'm talking about). All put together, the wow-factor in this system is unbelievable. Unless these details have been taken care of, there exists additional opportunities for added resolution in any system lacking them.

If anyone is thinking that anything used above was snake oil, I've got a bridge to sell you. For those of you who have paid attention to these details, you already know what I'm talking about. That's why this thread was titled "Something For The Fuse Guys."

If you cannot hear the improvements that upgraded fuses bring to a system, then again ... either it is your hearing, or your system that isn't allowing you to hear it. Nuttin' but the facts, my friends.

If any newbies want to know specifically what I've done in total, either check out my system page here on A'gon, or PM me. I'd be delighted to hear from you and offer any suggestions I can. 

Happy listening ... 

Frank

It ain’t over til the fat lady sings. - Yogi Berra

“Seriously, how many times can the sound of a system be “totally transformed” by replacing a fuse?”

@mitch2, you’ve nailed it. I was wondering the same in reading Frank’s posts. It seems his zest for ‘tweaks’ has no ceiling....let the saga continue and happy listening.... 😉

The Last Tweak Syndrome. Just when you swear your system can’t possibly get any better you do something that makes you say, Wow, now it’s twice as good! Then you’re thinking, now it REALLY can’t get any better. Then you do something that makes it twice as good again. By now you’re totally convinced the sound has peaked and there’s now way in hell the sound can possibly get any better. That’s the Last Tweak Syndrome.

The average Joe Blow - “My system sounds fabulous!”

So, in the meantime, the music just flows across the soundstage with the musicians all having a good time. You guys should see the way Diana Krall is looking at me right now ... upfront and very close.  I didn't realize her breath could be so warm and comforting. 

Frank

But what if I want to enjoy the music without smelling Tom Waits breath? 

^^^

Then don't take the advice in this column.

Ann Landers. 

Thanks Ann. I can understand where you would be a bit thin skinned, but FWIW I am a proud fuser. 

^^^
Hello, Proud Fuser ... :-)

Are you kidding? After spending 50 years in commissioned sales, my skin is a foot thick. Fortunately, I didn't lose my sense of humor in the process one iota. 

What cracks me up the most, Boxer, are the naysayers who continue following my threads regarding after-market fuses with their same tired old bromides about how fuses don't make any difference, how they are nothing but snake-oil, and that they can't be directional. Those who are in the know, like yourself, know better.

Above, I listed some of the things I've done to the system over the past few years to attain the present SQ I'm enjoying. I know there are those who think I've overstated the case, but man, there are times when I'm listening to the system where I just have to shake my head in disbelief. It is that good.

Keep on fusing, Boxer ... The new ones should be out by the middle of this month. So far, I can unequivocally say that they are significantly better than the SR Blue fuses.  

Frank

+1 Frank

Frank
Just curious.
After each mass fuse upgrade what did you do with the old red and then black fuses and soon to be blue fuses?
Is there a market for used boutique fuses?

^^^
uberwaltz ....

Yes, I believe there is a market for good used aftermarket fuses. I haven't tried selling any, but I have given the SR Red fuses away to friends. I still have all of my SR Black fuses and the newly replaced SR Blue fuses. I was keeping the SR Black fuses for spares. I would imagine that if one were of the mind to, they would sell for about half of retail. I don't see why they wouldn't. 

Frank

They should charge a premium for used fuses. They’re already broken in. 🤡

Orange is the new Blue 😉

https://www.synergisticresearch.com/fuses/orange-fuse/

I would certainly buy an Orange 🍊fuse if I had some place to put it. Please, no wisecracks. 🤡 Am I correct in assuming no fuse is still better than ANY fuse, including the new Orange 🍊fuse?

Orange?
ORANGE??
I am sorry but that just will not do!
It will not match the decor of my room at all.

Just when you think things can't get any better, along comes the Orange fuse.

Geoff ... I took your advice and removed all of the fuses in the system. No sound came out.

Frank

And next year something else will come along that will outdo 🍊.....round n round we go. Vicious cycle isn’t it.

By no small coincidence Lithium battery inventors were just awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in chemistry as we speak. Works for me. 🤡

No such thing as a viscous circle. Rrrrrrrrr-ruff! Maybe there’s a passive aggressive tetrahedron.  🤡

Darn, I thought it was going to be purple. Maybe purple will be the next version probably out about early 2021. 

^^^ If the Purple does what the new Oranges do, I'll get some. :-)

Purple and orange! Wow! Hey, those are Joker’s colors! 🕺🏻

As Rod said GK
You wear it well.....

I can’t tell, ober, are you laughing with me or at me? 🤡

Sorry GK.
There is No Laughing In Heaven.

Not bad, but maybe you should pick up a copy of Jokes for the John. My mother told me when I get out of school I’ll have to work hard but I said no I don’t because I was going to be a comedian.

Already in stages of initial development: a sort of pallid greenish indigo. Will quite literally blow everything out of the water.

Ted's new Corvette ZR1 is screaming Orange, hence the new fuse's name.

And talking about the new Orange fuse ... What happened to the new Orange Fuse thread? Why was it taken down???? Are there Gremlins in our midsts? 

Frank

Yes, I noticed, as well. You are merely informing us of your test results prior to the retail release of an SR product about to be advertised here, to the benefit of Audiogon.
While some threads may seem like shameless commercial promotion, just as many post about a great amp or speaker brand they have just added in to their systems. The vast body of posts on this forum is in the spirit of informing others of what works or what doesn’t for them. These findings are useful and promote interest in making changes, which means commerce for the owners---everyone wins here.

jafreeman
Yes, I noticed, as well. You are merely informing us of your test results prior to the retail release of an SR product about to be advertised here, to the benefit of Audiogon.

>>>>To the benefit to Audiogon? Really? How so?

SR runs an ad, there is a fee or commission to be paid, or am I a rube?

I don’t see too many SR ads here other than by individuals so that probably makes you a rube. No offense. 

jafreeman ...

Your assessment is right on target.

I’ll tell you, when I try a product that significantly improves my audio system, I’m going to report it here, no matter the flack. Over time, those who have taken the jump on these products have benefited greatly. Audiogon has benefited greatly as well. After all ... Audiogon is in business to sell advertising and to make fees from various sales. If positive reviews help that, then Audiogon makes out, and so do we, because we still have this little niche’ of the audiophile world where we can express our opinions share our successes.

Frank

Good, and I see the "orange" thread has been restored---nice work. 

how the orange fuse compared to beeswax ultimate?

^^^ Don't know yet. There were a couple of folks who tried both the SR Blue fuse and the Beeswax fuse. Some felt there were trade-offs. 
The Orange fuse is significantly better than the Blue fuse, so let that be your guide.

Frank

so no trade off for orange?

Let's say you have 10 fuses in your equipment, now you wish to start tuning, so you change the first fuse, you will buy 3 different choices, so 9 fuses remain original. You will finally select the fuse you like, after that, you will change the direction of that particular fuse to find the best result. Next you repeat this process with the second fuse, (remember, the first fuse may have to go back to the original, as that is another combination...) Now, after tens of thousands of combinations, many years later you may think to have found the best combination... However, sure enough by that time (or earlier) a new fuse will become available, and you have to start the process all over again. For those being into this, enjoy the "tuning" hobby.  A similar process is needed for cable selection, after that the footers, outlets, contact cleaners, and many other variables where you can play with. It will be impossible to live long enough to try out all the variables.... 
Summarizing we can say that some people are in this hobby because of the tuning involved, others are in it to enjoy the music, accepting that yes, if they spent many years of tuning, the result would be slightly better than with the original equipment....(a smaller group of "audiophiles" even try to understand why it sounds different, develop their own theories, which provides entertainment as per the above).... Whichever way you like it, as long as you are happy, never mind. 

Sorry, that’s a ridiculous and absurd approach.

Very few people have 10 fuses but whether they have 10 fuses or 1 fuse, the only approach that makes sense is to first decide which fuse you want based on reviews, testimony and price, whatever. You have to make up your mind. It’s the same with cables or speakers. You don’t have the luxury of trying everything.

Next, you buy fuses and replace your original fuses one at a time - checking each fuse for directionality as you go. 🔜 Then repeat the process to double check each fuse for directionality. The end. It’s not rocket science. 🚀

@geoffkait 

Next, you buy fuses and replace your original fuses one at a time - checking each fuse for directionality as you go. 🔜 Then repeat the process to double check each fuse for directionality.

That's what I was saying indeed. ;) (well more or less)

In addition, I don't think that it is the same for speakers

No, my approach it isn’t what you said. Not at all. Your approach takes tens of thousands of combinations. There are too many combinations. You said so yourself. My approach only has the minimum combinations. Your approach can never work at all.

There is no substitute for thimking.

@geoffkait 

My approach is that I enjoy the music. The time you spend on frantically searching for the proper directions of your fuses, I will spend with a good glass of wine and some good music. It's a choice to make. 

Hey, I don't blame you one bit for conceding the argument. :-)

I don't think it's an argument, as I said, it's a choice. 

Exactly! I choose the high end. You can choose whatever’s left. 🤡