2. amps-preamps
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Synergistic Red Fuse ...

I installed a SR RED Quantum fuse in my ARC REF-3 preamp a few days ago, replacing an older high end fuse. Uhh ... for a hundred bucks, this little baby is well worth the cost. There was an immediate improvement upon installation, but now that its broken in (yes, no kidding), its quite remarkable. A tightening of the focus, a more solid image, and most important of all for my tastes, a deeper appreciation for the organic sound of the instruments. Damn! ... cellos sound great! Much improved attack on pianos. More humanistic on vocals. Bowed bass goes down forever. Next move? .... I'm doing the entire system with these fuses. One at a time though just to gauge the improvement in each piece of equipment. The REF-75se comes next. I'll report the results as the progression takes place. Stay tuned ...

Any comments from anyone else who has tried these fuses?
oregonpapa

Showing 3 responses by bassdude

bassdude
503 posts
 
Here’s the AH site: http://www.audio-horizons.com/pages/fuse.html

I recently purchased the AH Platinum Ref fuse for my AR Ref 3 preamp.

I do agree the preamp sounds superb with this fuse!

But... it also sounds superb with the fuse that came in it - which may not be the stock fuse - it doesn’t look like a standard fuse with just a wire, but has a more complex element in it (it is glass, so I can see the element).

And... I must say I’m at a bit of a loss to report the AH fuse is "much better" in any respect.

I’m a bit inclined to think that many with such investments in their fuses "want to hear" significant improvements over their stock fuses - and that there is significant "placebo" effect with fuses as with cables.

But... hey... "to each his own."
bassdude
503 posts
 
Here’s the AH site: http://www.audio-horizons.com/pages/fuse.html

Regarding the sound of the AH Platinum Ref fuse... it may be a bit warmer and richer than the stock fuse... and... maybe a bit less clear in the upper mids and highs than the stock fuse - difficult to tell since the differences are so subtle.  Sort of like the difference in the sound between silver interconnects and copper ones.  
bassdude
503 posts
 
mapman - your experience was similar to mine when trying the AH Black Platinum Fuse vs the fuse I have in my ARC Ref 3 Preamp.  

Only a very subtle difference... and... the fuse I have in my ARC Ref 3 Preamp sounds like it may even be better in some respects (clarity, detail resolution, dynamics for the most part, and maybe a bit brighter).   While the AH fuse may have a bit richer sound.  

For the most part, the difference that I seem to detect (not sure because it's so subtle) seems like the difference in the sound of silver interconnects vs silver coated copper interconnects, or OFC copper interconnects.  

I do not call the fuse in my ARC Ref 3 Preamp the "stock fuse," because I don't know if it is the "stock fuse."  The element in it does not look like most fuses (a straight wire, or coiled wire), it has a more complex element, which looks somewhat like a resistor in a glass tube.  So, it may not be the "stock fuse" - it does sound superb, whatever it is.  

Whatever... I had expected a much more discernable difference in the sound for a $100+ tweek.  


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