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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 10 responses by mid40sguy

mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
I have about four or five hours on a Synergistic Research "RED" fuse in my amp. Very worthwhile improvement a great value.
Don't judge it right away the break-in is kinda odd in my case after about twenty minutes things improved dramatically. In a couple of weeks I may swap it end to end see if that changes for the better. I'm inclined to just leave it alone it sounds so good as it it.
Thank you for suggesting this and all the comments too. Who would have thought a silly little fuse could affect things like that.
Will soon order another for the CDP.
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
I ordered a BLACK from The Cable Company. Should have it in less than two weeks. This will go into a Modwright Oppo 9.0 power supply. I don't plan to replace the RED in my amp. Will post my thoughts on the BLACK whenever it gets here.

mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
I talked with Kevin last month about upgrading to SE not so sure I have budget for it this year.
I can afford the fuse.
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
Kevin said they would be fairly busy until March. If I sent my Sigma the first week of March it would be less than two weeks turn around.
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
Oregonpapa; " How can anything continue breaking in when the power is turned off?" 
I know memory can be a funny thing and I know this is true in my case. Having said that I am very sure this happened to me twice.
The RED changed in a significant manner while turned off for 20 hours at the forty hour break in point. This is when I knew there was no way that darn fuse was ever coming out of my amp.
The only other time a huge change took place to my gear while turned off was when I installed a Entreq Audio Silver Telus. Connected it to my amp played music for several hours then perhaps 20 hours later started up some music and.... WOW!
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
I installed a BLACK fuse in my Modwright Oppo 9.0 power supply three weeks ago. Sadly, nothing. Maybe a bit more blackness (pun) but I'm not sure.
Brownsfan, Please don't let my experience stop you from trying the fuse in your unit. You have a 100% return option so what to loose, frankly I am very curious what you think.
The RED in my VAC was stunning. 
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
Synergistic Research HFT (High Frequency Transducer) Anyone else?
If too far off topic please let me know and I'll withdraw this.

I just now installed 13 of my 15 sale pack of HFT's. 
Five years ago I installed five acoustic resonators Franck Tchang brought to the market. The idea and results from transducers or resonators or whatever you call them is something I am aware of and enjoy the soundstage they bring to my room.
I'm not 100% on placement now but find the forward soundstage much better in that there is a solid wall enveloping the area in a natural way. I can hear extension and depth over what was there before. There is more going on but I need time to listen. It is not easy for me to articulate in written form not exactly the most educated guy here.  Very promising!
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
Brownsfan,
Thanks! 
The front panel of my Oppo 105 power supply is 9.0. I thought it was a 9.0, after reading your message I looked once more 9.0 on the front panel 9.9 on the back! So its a 9.9.

Later this week I will put the stock fuse in and listen. Then put the BLACK in as I had it then rotate it 180 and listen. I'll get back here and let you know.
Dan told me the power cord to the power supply is much more important than the Oppo spinner.

My VAC with the RED fuse is a major upgrade. Amazing sound Oppo, VAC and Harbeth.
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
I shared with everyone after installing a BLACK into a Modwright 9.9 powersupply not much happened. Many here suggested I rotate it 180 deg. I did that tonight. Stunning, huge awesome value!
How can a fuse be so significant? How in the heck should it matter the direction of a silly fuse? 
Stupid hobby, I love it.
mid40sguy's avatar
mid40sguy
163 posts
 
Both the red and black fuse are a huge value in regard to what they provide the user.
I am giving thought to the less expensive power cables. 
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