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 joncourage

joncourage
185 posts
 
My default disposition is somewhat skeptical. That said, I was surprised at the difference Hifi Tuning Supremes made in my Ayre AX7e a few years back. Everything opened up, more dimensionalality with a deeper wider soundstage, more punch, more organic sound. Maybe it's my imagination but I've been convinced nonetheless and yes it strikes me as logically odd that something not in the path of sound transmission could make a difference. And never had a problem with them. 

So when I recently upgraded to the AX-5 I had no hesitation deciding to replace the fuses. Reading this thread I decided to try the SR Black, which are now on order. Will update after installed and some hours on 'em.

joncourage
185 posts
 

Quick update on my previous post.

At the suggestion of a few here I called SR and they were - as predicted - helpful and willing to work with the distributor on my behalf. Replacement fuses have been sent. SR lived up to their reputation.

Thanks to SR for helping to make this right. Their unhesitatingly friendly, supportive attitude and customer-focused service were on point. And I get that given the nature of the product/situation, although I believe it was the right thing to do, their response wasn’t something to take for granted.

Have the last few fuses needed for my system on order, and will post thoughts once fully installed.  Given my experience with other SR products and previous experience upgrading fuses in another Ayre amp, I expect good things.

joncourage
185 posts
 

Initial project - upgrade stock to SR Black in Ayre AX-5 amp - was a two-parter...

First, replaced half the fuses (mis-informed on quantity so originally ordered only half what was needed and had to place a 2nd order after getting the amp opened up and realizing).

Long story short, before having all SR in the system I was concerned, things just seemed off in a lot of ways. Not worth getting into since it didn't last, but a somewhat interesting lesson in that, it seems important to go "all SR" (or at least, "all the same" whatever that may be).

Once I got all SR fuses (8 total so no trivial investment), and after one change in direction of installation (yes, this seemed to make a difference) things started to turn around.  And with around 70+ hours burn-in, things started improving dramatically.

Now, with substantial hours in and all-SR Black fuses in the amp, here's what my ears hear (forgive my lack of audiophile vocabulary, I'll just describe it as best I can):

- Improved instrument separation, placement, and 3-dimensionality

- Perception of more immediacy and "smack/oomph"

- Lower, tighter, punchier bass

- Overall just a better sense of musicality

- I feel there was a very, very subtle loss of realism in instrument/vocal texture.

The improvements, with possible exception of bass improvements, I would not say are profound, but I would say more than subtle. They are a matter of improving on the already excellent sonic quality of the amp, in nice, noticeable - but not earth-shattering - ways. The change in bass seems the most dramatic.

I'm not an electronics engineer (although I am an engineer by training/trade) so I have little concept why the above would be the case, but I do have pretty good ears and have been a musician for 40 years, pro at times, so I trust that I'm hearing a difference, and that the difference is an improvement overall.

Whether an investment in upgraded fuses is worth it is a pretty individual thing, dependent I imagine on how much your particular system benefits from a specific brand/model of fuse and your budget.  I had a very positive experience with Hifi Tuning Supreme in my last Ayre amp so tried this, and I'm happy with the (in this case rather large) investment.

I've ordered SR Black fuses for my DAC and transport now, and looking forward to hearing what differences they may make.

At some point, I will buy a set of the Hifi Supremes to compare, since I liked what they did in the past.  But for now, I'm quite happy with the difference the SR Black fuses make in my amp.

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