Synergistic Red Fuse ...

In my Maggie 3.6Rs, I have used HiFi Tuning's silver and then gold, have used Furutech's rhodium plated, have used SR 20's.  The Furutechs beat the HiFi Tuning by a lot, the SR 20's beat the Furutechs by a little.  Now, I have the SR Reds installed, and they are far and away so superior to the SR 20's, I have to compare them to a component upgrade in increased clarity and depth, but I have also exceeded the stock ratings by three times the value with the SR Reds, using 8A and 16A.  As if this weren't good enough,  I put the Reds in the main fuse banks of my ARC 210's (250) and then my Wadia 861SE, all formerly having Furutechs.  I have mentioned all of this on "Best Of" under tweaks.  The SR Reds have taken my sound to yet another plateau of definition and widened sound stage--percussion and piano parts have appeared beyond the outward-facing tweeters, and this system was no slouch before these fuses.  I am convinced there is no end to tweaking gear that is 6-12 years old, and no end to Redbook CD, even with this level of gear. 

My compliments to all of you here who have provided one of the most informative empirical discussions on the effects of different fuse brands on your listening enjoyment.  These reports help anyone who is looking to reach that next plateau of sound from the gear they now have rather than buying new, costly pieces.  After so many cable, cord, isolation, room acoustic, fuse tweaks with much of the same set up I have had for over ten year now, I have forestalled a major overhaul/upgrade up until now--very satisfying.   

This comparison reminds me of the disappointment I had with the HiFi Tuning Silver Supremes. For me, they weren't as nice as the Gold series before them, so I moved to the Furutechs, then the SR 20 and now, the Reds-best yet. 

With all the reports of break in occurring with all new gear and parts, and especially with the more unexplainable improvements in sound, I believe there are neuronal pathway changes occurring in the primary audio cortex, wherein, along with the other senses, we finally experience and identify with the external environment. Cortical sensory processes are not as well understood as those in the sensory organs, i.e., the ears and eyes.  There must be new synapses forming as we listen to familiar music heard under different circumstances, such as with better acoustics or from a less-distorted playback system.  In my experience, I hear the music more clearly and completely when a new audio device is introduced.  You may say this is because the item is breaking in--settling in. Yes, I agree wholeheartedly--there are profound improvements as a piece settles in, but there must be something else going on at the interpretive end of things, because I, and others, I must assume, are hearing improvements in familiar music that become hardwired, much the same as memory does, only the newest improvement is built upon the last improvement I remember hearing, which is in itself superior to the ones before that. I believe that aural memory is quite accurate in listening to the same system that is undergoing small changes. I do not have a lot of faith in aural recall with A/B testing in an unfamiliar situation--this is not what I am referring to, and I dismiss naysayers who rely on A/B "shock" testing to disprove the efficacy of upscale fuses and cables, etc.  You who listen carefully to your own systems know what I mean here. in conclusion, I believe the more you listen to music you know, the better it sounds--even after something breaks in.  

Oregon, I think you should turn both blacks around before you mix in a red. It is best to evaluate a directional change as a single variable before you confound your trials with reds that may also be directional. You are providing the first account of the blacks--they may be more directional than the reds, which to me, sounded so good, I did not want to turn them around, and I have three applications in which to try turning. They just sound so right where they are, I have not turned them. It seems we don't know enough about the blacks in this respect. 

It seems we should arrive at some conclusions based on our experiences with fuses:  Stock fuses provide overload protection but degrade the signal path.  They are necessary to meet safety standards and prevent costly damage, but they are detrimental to sound quality.  This degradation has been discovered and can be improved by inserting a better conductor.  Maggie owners who modify have gone even further, saying, "No fuse is the best fuse."  They remove the fuse bank that protects their midrange and tweeters and wire directly.  Maggies provide perhaps the best opportunity to show how these boutique fuses are far superior to stock fuses. The differences are unmistakable and leave no room for alternative explanations. With due respect to you, Al, those of us who are more "plug and play" audiophiles have sought out the easy tweaks of fuses, cords, cables, etc, and have been rewarded. In a funny way, knowledge has not been an obstruction for us.  The drawback to these fuses is how well do they protect?  It's buyer beware on that question.  A lot of us are getting such good sound, we don't seem to care.  I know I will not go back to stock fuses or power cords, not with the superior conduction materials on the DIY market. 

May I just ask--of all the SR Reds and Blacks being placed, how many of you are exceeding stock ratings by a little or a lot?  This is often needed
 because the SR offerings are high by .5 amp or because the boutique fuses may blow easier at the stock rating.  Another reason is a higher rating sounds better, IME.  I have pushed the ratings in my AC input fuses by an amp or two. The bigger filament adds more to the overall presentation, I believe. If these AC input fuses are removed, there is no sound--no power.  Does this imply all of the AC voltage passes through these tiny filaments? I mean, after all the over-size Romex, the transformers, the dedicated 20 amp lines, the 10 gauge AC cables, etc, are we being choked by these little filaments? Please tell me.  If you have Maggies, you have the additional potential to push the stock rating for an unbelievable result--at the midranges and tweeters, I have quadrupled the stock ratings, and I don't worry one bit about it, not with a 4000 watt isolation transformer serving my system--you should have faith in your power supply to do this, I would guess.  So, you have found the right fuse, but are you willing to extend that benefit even further?         

Thanks, knghifi---I have been under the impression that the higher amperage fuses have a larger filament and probably sound better--more like a straight wire approach.  


Audiolover--no fuses at all in your Maggies--what model? I was not willing to alter my 3.6Rs from stock.  

Yes, I no longer have fuse protection in my Maggies--I have been more interested in better sound, so went with the better fuses, then the bigger fuses, thinking bigger is better sounding yet.  I will be moving from SR Reds to blacks in my Maggies--will probably push the values as I have done before--unless someone can talk me out of this.  

It's ok, Roguemodel, you are new to the site.  This is not a fuse-bashing thread--it's for folks who are sharing the positive results of after-market fuses so that others may try them with confidence. This is how the forum is used to help one another.  You can start a separate topic on your feelings and perceptions, and others will show up to agree with you so that you can always be right.   

Al, I have a question, if I may---you recently suggested a fuse experiment whereby a garden-variety fuse could be temporarily replaced with the same fuse, but with a much higher amperage value so as to reduce resistance as the variable in sound quality.  Can you explain just what is used in fuses to create the different amperage ratings that then influence failure at the indicated rating?  From pictures, I have always thought that the filament sizes/widths are increased to achieve the higher ratings in otherwise same-type fuses, and this would to my thinking also indicate a reduction in resistance or, as you stated, more of a straight wire approach.  I ask because I have pushed all of the amperage ratings in my boutique fuses, especially in my Maggie 3.6Rs, in an attempt to move toward a straight wire without having to tear the fuse bank out as some Maggie users do, i.e. the stock ratings for the Maggie tweeter and midrange are 2.5A and 5A, whereas I am using 8A and 16A fuses. This nullifies any protective function of the fuses, but I have not had any problems so far because I am careful with volumes and believe I have a stable power supply. Am I reducing resistance in the final signal path by inserting higher ratings/larger filaments? Thanks for your evaluation, and are you thinking of accepting the SR fuse challenge in one of your own components?     

Al, thanks for an understandable comparison of how fuses interact differently according to their applications.  I will stay close to the stock ratings in my mains fuses and will continue to push the ratings in my Maggies as I move from SR reds to blacks, a considerable investment for the four fuses in just the Maggies, but also yielding the most dramatic results in sound stage and clarity.  

I have seven SR reds in my system that were placed in three phases, each of which sounded so right, I have not felt a need to flip them.  I would discount directionality on the reds in favor of a long break in period. 

By the way, Geoffkait--in looking at your MD site, I presume your intent is to amuse and educate audiophiles. I appreciate your inventiveness and humor. Just wondering though--if I were to add your teleportation tweak or the intelligent chips to my shopping cart, do you then say, "Stop--enough--I don't actually take your money or send you anything. It's all a hoax, meant to educate the naive." Or, do you really take my money to commit the ultimate scam?  You may want to start a new thread on this, or you may choose silence, but please--let's get to the bottom of MD and your real mission.   

Love "Seventh Sojourn", have all seven on MoFi Gold, but like the latest issue, overseen by Justin Hayward.  Now playing: Dave Valentin's "Tropic Heat" on Grusin/Rosen Productions, one of the first labels to commit to all digital recordings in the '80s, recall "Harlequin" with Dave Grusin and Lee Ritenour. Fabulous CD sound from '85 and still available. 

Markalarsen, I have had nothing BUT luck with all of the fuse brands I have installed in 3.6R's.  SR Blacks yet to come........

Yes--happy customers should be what matters most in this hobby of being made happy by dramatically presented music.  Everyone should get what he or she wants from the audio industry and marketplace--what else would be the point?  Geoffkait, your product line should come with an open guarantee e.g., "Whenever in your life you realize you have been duped, your money will be cheerfully refunded." But, since most noob audiophiles can't find their ass with both hands within 30 days, your profit margin has probably remained fairly safe. 

To recap Whitestix:  Many of us are paranoid and insecure. We are somehow guilted into trying foolish tweaks. Break in is laughable (we are all stupid). Better fuses are illogical if we just think about it (we act on emotions, not logic).  
Well, that's a fine entrance, Whitestix. Please list your components, cables, power supply in detail, and we will tell you why you can't get anything out of it. And, is your thinking from the AVA tradition?   

Whitestix, no back-and-forth rock throwing. My posts here have to do with protecting this constructive thread against those who seek to ridicule those of us who use upscale fuses.  I asked you to list your system. Perhaps that would explain your lack of results with fuses and cords. It does--your amp cannot play up to the capability of a better fuse or cord. You like the sound--that's good enough for you--and me.  I have been fortunate--able to spend a lot more on gear that does benefit from better cords and fuses. My stuff? ARC, Magnepan, Wadia, REL.  Nothing exotic, boring choices, but predictable in sound quality, somewhat costly, and I am extending their scope with tweaks that work.  I do not endorse any of the crystals, pebbles, discs, blocks, chips, tiny bowls, etc. Oregon--I would like to hear the holograms--they are more than a stack of pebbles in a tray.        

Grannyring, thanks for your common-sense explanation. Improving a cheap fuse link is as valid as using purer copper in a hook-up, cord or cable.  
 
Wolf, I think you just enjoy disagreeing--very funny stuff.  Was I even close on the "Dire" and Jerry references? What are you listening to these days?   

Among the pantheon of tweaks, I am highly skeptical of room treatments such as the stick-on chips, blocks, pebbles, discs, boxes and tiny bowls.  The idea guys had to go SOMEWHERE with their products though, and since the under-component market was saturated with plinths, cones, bearings, points, racks, rubber cups, etc, it only made sense to move tweaks on top of and around the gear--hours of fascination and wonder for the customer. I would like to try that Novum PMR resonator, though. In choosing external audio tweaks, you have to look for items that either block, dissipate or absorb unwanted energy and sound waves or that clarify or focus the sound that you do want.  This often involves items of considerable mass or area. 
Wolf Garcia, you are in Dire need of some tweak faith. Jerry would have approved.
Thanks for listing your gear Whitestix.  I'm not one to knock a guy's budget, but when it comes to the lower-priced amps, etc out there, you really DO get what you pay for--not much.  Emotiva 5.1--is that a Chinese five-channel for around $600? Genius marketing, those guys.  And those speakers--geez, couldn't you get some speakers that don't cross paths? You have to realize that the sound we hear is an energy transfer from the cone excursion to air molecules that then hit our eardrums. The smaller speakers should at least point at you........And yes, GK, the L. Ron Hubbard of audio, has combined a love of science fiction with shrewd observations of the audiophile's willing gullibility to try anything that may bring more audio beauty.  You just have to learn how to wade through the BS.    

Mark (Whitestix), I also apologize to you for my criticisms.  I've been a bit on edge with some of the content on this otherwise helpful thread. You have the makings of a fine system.  
Best Wishes,
Joe  

Al, are the fuse claims and explanations as much hypotheses as they are empirically driven--that is, a decision based on experience and without further evidence?  Those of us without your background are basing our fuse upgrading on experience rather than significant data as proof.  We are hearing new clarity as we progress through the various fuse offerings. My one foray into DIY audio has been to build several power cords using Furutech materials, i.e., their OOC copper wire.  My results in clarity and sound stage have been spectacular.  Furutech has a good explanation of their copper, found with search words "tough pitch copper, furutech, OOC".  This page makes good sense to me, and it leads me to believe there isn't a lot of high-purity, low-grain copper used by manufacturers, leaving a lot of room for improvement, just as stock fuses do.   

Al, what you need is a tweak intervention, whereby the principals of this thread would descend on your house with a bag full of cords, cables and fuses and transform your system. For his sins, GK would be made to dance, chant and shake rattles. When you are well entranced, everyone will sit down and Oregon will press "play".

Did you search that Furutech OCC page?

That old bebop is good, alright--pull up Rick Braun’s, "Sessions Volume 1" on Youtube for some of the hippest cool jazz in this time, please. Just let it play and tell me if you dig it, Papa, Charles, Jond, et al.

Alright, my thanks for listening to Rick Braun and band--not the acoustic ensemble of the golden era--but likable.  How about "Fourplay" with Bob James?  Just like to know how the cool/smooth jazz of today rates with the purists.     

Yes, thanks for the listings, Papa. I heard them all on Youtube and have ordered two by Cal Tjader and a few by "Modern Jazz Quartet", not on you list, but I'm sure you will approve.  I like those vibes.  I think that Rick Braun CD would sound just right through your tubed ARC gear--it does through mine. There's a bit of reverb to it for depth and interest that mellows out through a big system.  For more of a chamber quartet sound, go to Youtube, keywords "Fourplay live in Tokyo 2013"  Watch and hear them. If they are not cool, they sure are hip.  

Just installed SR Blacks in my Maggie 3.6Rs.  The blacks have replaced the reds, which sounded remarkably better than the Furutechs and SR20s. Two hours in--the blacks sound just as good as the reds right out of the box--I am hearing midrange information that was not audible with the reds--more space and decay, more inner detail. I am not hearing any of the harshness or lack of focus forewarned of before full burn-in.  Perhaps this is because of their function in the signal path--they are not being held back.  As with my reds, the blacks are 8A and 16A in the tweeter and midrange positions, far exceeding the stock 2.5A and 5A ratings. The larger filaments provide a more robust presentation--this has been the case with all the brands tried--like using a larger gauge wire.  The fuses are no longer protecting--just improving. I look forward to an ever sweeter, wider soundstage as these blacks settle in for a few days. 

Another score for those who have been believers--sorry naysayers and skeptics--these fuses are providing sound improvements that far exceed bias expectations or other variables such as cleaner contacts because  of fuse changes.  Try 'em!  

Wolf, that's the Bass-O-Matic.   

My thanks to Oregon, Charles and David, the true gentlemen here who have been exchanging preferences in music and food and also for holding this topic together against all boorish onslaughts. 
  
Now about ten hours in on the SR Blacks in my Maggies, I am being treated to a sweeter, more detailed tapestry of instruments, some not heard in their fullest detail until now. Vocal harmonies are better defined for their separate voices, bass and low organ notes are extended and more relaxed.  Congas and are popping out, cymbals are emerging that were before part of a whole that I had wished was more defined.

These fuses are a worthy addition that should continue to improve, but if they stopped here, I could not complain.  I will change out the SR Reds for Blacks in the mains of my ARC amps and Wadia 861SE in the near future, as these areas have also benefited from every fuse I have tried.  

Cheers to all,
Joe   

 
 
        

Interesting hook-up info on REL subs.  Here's my situation:  ARC 210 REF monos driving Maggie 3.6Rs, 4 ohms.  (+) to the 4 ohm terminal, (-) to the 0 ohm/ground terminal.  I use a REL Strata at each amp.  My dealer instructions for Neutrik plug and wires:  Black wire to 0 ohm, twist the yellow and red together, connect them to 4 ohm terminal. This has been working--am I missing something?  My dealer has a longstanding relationship with and the retail rights to Magnepan and Audio Research in MN, both manufactured here, in the Twin Cities.  I sure am lucky on that. 

Papa, I have not had the tour of ARC. I have been there to drop off my amps and to pick up tubes--inside their shipping department--lots of white boxes ready to go out.   

I must also say, the improvements going from Red to Black in my Maggie 3.6R's is profound.  The music is sweet and clear--more listenable all around, and only about thirty hours in.  

That's right, Wolf---this whole thing is a collective scheme of SR promotion hidden by a carefully-maintained act of mass delusion, and it's all been done to fool YOU.  Damn---you got us. I sure am enjoying my SR Blacks in my Maggies--next up, AC mains.     

No man knows less than the man who knows it all.  



Unknown 

Happy Birthday, OP.  I just ordered Black fuses for mains in ARC mono blocks and also for Wadia 861SE player. When I first upgraded the main fuse in my Wadia some years ago, I found a HiFi Tuning fuse already there. This was part of the GNSC Reference or Statement level mod--I had both done over the years--it was a short drive to Steve Huntley's place.  

Reporting again on my system conversion from SR Reds to SR Blacks:  A couple of weeks ago, the Blacks went into my Maggie 3.6R's to reach a new plateau of clarity and sound stage.  The Maggies have always been the place of the most dramatic improvements compared to the AC mains in my CDP and amps, but here, the Blacks are a close second.  I had installed the Black into my Wadia just two days ago and, today, into the mains of my ARC Ref 210s.  Rather than wait, I thought best to break all three in together.  The Blacks are sounding better than the Reds with no burn in--they are that good in rendering more information, and I suspect they perform well sooner because of full AC current.  The sound is clearer yet--liquid, wet, silky. The bottom end is fuller, extended.  With seven Blacks performing in AC power supplies and directly in the speaker signal path, there is a transformation nothing short of a major component upgrade, perhaps two components.  The SR Black fuses are the best single tweak I have ever added, and this is the fifth fuse improvement I have experienced, each better than the previous.  I can imagine SR's next fuse, one with even more graphene---yes, I would buy yet another round of SR's if offered.  

Ok, maybe it's the mean political season we're in--there's malice aforethought out there in the blog-o-sphere.  I just had to jump all over Wolf, who has never taken anything we have said about SR fuses at face value.  Real story or not---does it matter now?  I like you, Wolf, like your humor, so keep on slinging it.  It's all fun here--and the SRs, how could anyone be unhappy?    

My SR fuse saga continues to amaze at the opening up of every new audio horizon I am hearing.  SR Blacks in my Maggies, in my ARC monos, in my Wadia are bringing forth new clarity and weight.  As the designer of quality amps remarked on this thread, attention must be paid to the purity of the AC signal--details do matter.  
Wolf--your lack of results suggests your system is just not up to the capabilities of SR Blacks, but I have to say thanks for trying just so you could go on bashing all us naive dopes--and now with a new standard of  integrity, known only to yourself.  If you would list your system components and signal paths, many here would be happy to help you achieve better sound.  If not, best wishes.      

OP, you are so right on the increased depth and definition of low strings, any strings.  I must play more classical.  There are some tweaks that you just get such a kick out of--because they are cheap, or you dreamed it up and did it yourself and it all brings such added value to the gear we may have wanted to replace.  The SR fuses are an exceptional value--I'm glad I have followed along to go from the Reds to the Blacks.  Whatever is next--I would do it again. 

This directionality/AC argument has been discussed ad nauseam. I suggest anything that goes back and forth 60 times/second ends up standing still. 

Love that sound......

  Those of you who are fuse doubters have again come around to tell us we are suffering from mass delusion during our listening evaluations. Let me assure you--our experience of enhanced clarity and presence is based in a perceptual reality well within the margins of the lunatic fringe you enjoy placing us in.  Perhaps an important reason why we hear these improvements and you have not, if you have even tried, is that you must have a system supplied by a generous and quiet power supply and components served by ultra pure conductors.  Components, whether of mid or hi-fi quality, must be thoroughly isolated from mechanical vibrations to provide further clarity of sound.  Along with room improvements, the system containing better fuses and that is supported in these ways will be lifted to perceptive improvements unmistakeable by even you, but these fundamental things must be done right.  In these times of fake news, there is truth found right here, on this thread, told by many fellow audiophiles who don't make a habit of spreading fakery, rather, they appreciate hearing the positive results others have experienced when using better fuses. My best wishes to you in finding that truth.  

Listener testimony here continues to confirm the sonic benefits of installing SR Blacks in AC mains, rails and, in my case, Maggie 3.6R tweeter and midrange signal paths.  The conducting materials in the SR's are superior to the tiny filaments in ordinary fuses.  The evidence reported here over these past months, however anecdotal, has overwhelmed the insistence of the skeptics and outright deniers that we cannot be hearing what we are reporting.  
Wolf, you just revealed how your own expectation bias worked in your system--this time against hearing SR improvements.  You say you had doubt going in and you came out with nothing, a conclusion you hold as a basis for telling us we are imagining things.  You are simply not qualified in telling anyone what they are or are not experiencing; you can be right only in terms of your own experience.     

I am wondering about Frank. I wrote to him, have not heard back.  

Thanks for the good report, Frank.  You're going to feel twenty years younger.  

Hi Frank, sounds like you are doing well now.  Didn't you say a couple months ago you were auditioning a top-secret tweak that you were going to reveal someday?
I just updated my REL Strata III's with 4A SR Blacks in the mains, a bit over the stock 3.15A.  Right out of the box, the entire system is more relaxed.  RELs are known to lift the whole presentation because they take the entire signal right off the speaker terminals. Sound crazy?  I like the sound of these fuses--now have nine spread around the system.       

Thanks for your review of the new SR Blues, Frank. Had just purchased some SR Blacks via the three-for-two sale.  I put a 4A in each of my Strata III subs (stock = 3.15A), paired with Maggie 3.6Rs.  These SR Blacks replaced the SR 20's.  At first listen, I had to lower the 30hz roll offs to 26hz and turn the volumes down by a third.  As they break in, the bass just bubbles forth in warm, extended waves of depth.  I also helped the ARC 210's with SR Blacks by pushing the AC mains up a few amps from stock--also an amazing increase in soundstage, quieter background and better bottom end. It must seem crazy and reckless to some of you, but over many trials of fuse brands in the same system over many years, these SR's are the real deal in extending the quality of sound in older systems. I will eventually add the Blues to my Maggies at 8A and 16A values, another reckless value over stock, but this is where the most dramatic results have always occurred.  Anyone with Maggies--you should jump on board with the SR Black/Blue.    

Meanwhile, with these new SR Blacks, it got to where I had so many people playing in my living room, I had to go out the back door and come in through the front. I was hoping to switch the feeling of, "They are here" with "It's like you are there", but I was doubly confused when, upon entering, they stopped and greeted me with, "This isn't who it would be if it wasn't who it is".  Man, these Blacks in my AC mains are blowing me away--to what do I owe this aural transfiguration?  I did have SR Black 8A fuses in my ARC 210s, which call for a stock 7A.  I had ordered some extra fuses during the three-for-two sale, so I pushed those 8A's up to 10A's.  Sure, I could take a hit on ruination, but I have 240 volts at the wall anyway, meaning, I have already put my faith in that step-down transformer for 4000W of smooth power---why not push the envelope on those gatekeeper fuses--so what's with these things? Is all that power really going through those tiny filaments, or are they on a side track, ready to receive an overload off the main flow?  But then, none of the amps work without those fuses, so tell me--why do these things sound so much better three amps over stock? I am just floored by yet another plateau of rich detail, and I was really only looking for something out of putting the SR Blacks in my REL Strata III's. All combined, I feel like I am there, they are here, and we are all one big metaphysical mashup--damn, this is some good sh-t......   

Hi Veerapaneni, you should have heard an improvement through such a pre-amp as yours--can you describe the rest of your system? 

I plan on getting the Blues for my Maggies, but happy at this moment, as described above.  But seriously folks.......I am hoping Almarg and peers will answer my question about AC mains and the functions of their fuses, as I am quite surprised with the sonic gift they are providing.