Greg, I found this forum & this topic by doing a google on 'do Synergistic fuses really sound better'.  On another forum I no longer frequent I read more than 2 members swearing by them, and since then I have always been interested/tempted.

I recently upgraded from a SLP 90 to a preowned (from Cary) SLP 05 that I had them put "The Ultimate Upgrade" on before they shipped it, and this was the unit I was most interested in re-fusing with Synergistic (especially now, as they are on sale).  What you have discovered about turning on the power supply last is advice I will heed whether I refuse or not, but I do have a question about this:

What direction did you find sounded best on your Cary preamp? I I have the hot end going in from right to left.

Am I missing something?  I believe on mine, the fuses plug into the back of the power supply from back to forward?

And I agree with just about everything you have typed about this "hobby."

They are as you say hot end going in right to left

Greg, thanks for getting back to me on that.

But this is where I am confused (and maybe it is me, because although I can solder & de-solder, the theory of electronics is beyond me); in mine, the fuse inserts in the fuse holder and then the fuse holder plugs straight back into the back apron of the power supply, which actually seems more 'forward and aft' than 'right and left', but as I typed, maybe I am missing something?

Also, keeping in mind my limited grasp on electrical theory, tonight I did turn on my pre-amp as was suggested above . . . turned the pre-amp/6sn7s to 'on' and then turned the power supply on so everything powered up at once.  Why is that a softer start than turning the power supply on and getting the rectifier tube  going and then firing up the 6sn7s?  I believe you that it is, but I am not understanding why.

Hey, thanks again for getting back to me!

Matt

Thanks!