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?
128x128oregonpapa
teo_audio, nice take on the sound of "ordinary" fuses and how they differ as well. I've linked to this site before where the reviewer mentioned the same thing along with his take on the boutique fuses. He says even the $2.00 fuses offer an improvement over the cheap ones.

All the best,
Nonoise
 Have any of you fuse proponents looked up "expectation bias"
probably makes more sense to believe in the Easter bunny

Sure, have you fuse opponents looked up "expectation bias"?
It works both ways you know. If you do not expect to hear differences, you won't.

Buying brand new schurter, littlefuse or cooper/bussman fuses also works in experimenting to see what is going on. . one can get the correct type but also, importantly, change the breaking current to various values. Higher breakage values sound more linear to the ear. Less distorted. For example, you can get a 10 amp time lag fuse that pops at 200A peak, or 400a peak or even over 1000A peak. I think the highest I’ve seen is 1400A peak transient before breakage. Each material in use has different peak transient breakage values, and different aspects of transient linearity. Digikey and Mouser is the place to look.

Each will ’sound’ different. The vast majority of the fuses from the companies mentioned are non-magnetic brass/copper/etc designs.
But the swings.....
Every effort to park 'em in the cheap seats and yet, no contact.

 Have any of you fuse proponents looked up "expectation bias"
probably makes more sense to believe in the Easter bunny
I really would like to know if you have tried these fuses yourself
No and I wouldn’t pay >$100 for one, but I have sat in reluctantly at a demo of them and there was no discernible difference between it and a good quality new $2 fuse.

Cheers George
Touché uberwaltz, I've asked that question twice without an answer. It's quite simple......with the fuse being the weakest link in the AC pathway, isn't it possible that improving that weak link could bring about sonic improvement? How could improving a cheap devise made only to blow upon excess voltage not improve the signal? I could take it a step further.....it's not only possible but probable. Whether through improved conductivity, better EMI/RFI shielding or both....could it not improve sonic performances?Just to say it's impossible for it to do so seems intellectually dishonest to me....but maybe I'm totally wrong in thinking that improvement upon a thin coil of wire that the AC passes through as it enters our components could possibly improve that components sound. 

BTW, Paul McGowen of PS Audio deserves credit for this contention, not me. He refers to the fuse as the AC bottleneck, not weak link, though.
Post removed 

Hi Jond,

Okay back to the fuses

Charles, they're an asset in my system.

George , It's all silly voodoo.

Wolf, You're all a herd of sheep with this fuse nonsense.

Life is good again.

Charles

Geoffkait 3-20-2017
I don’t think it’s correct to say it’s an open forum per se. Most other audio forums don’t allow politics, religion or other hot topics on audio forums but instead have a place where people can go and bash away at each other.  
+1.  And of course that is also often the case at non-audio forums.  For example I participate in a forum for computer enthusiasts and builders, which among many other sub-forums has one called "heated debates."  That is where discussions of politics, religion, and other subjects that are just about certain to result in ugly off-topic exchanges are relegated.

And perhaps that is where the line in the sand that Charles referred to should be drawn.  When a topic is BOTH particularly controversial AND not germane to the subject matter of the forum.

Regards,
-- Al
 
I don’t think it’s correct to say it’s an open forum per se. Most other audio forums don’t allow politics, religion or other hot topics on audio forums but instead have a place where people can go and bash away at each other.  It's usually called Outside or Everything Else or whatever. Not everyone is so cordial and objective when discussing politics. :-) Of course you could just wait and see if the mods step in. They might not care, who the heck knows? Besides, isn't audio controversial enough?

Thank you Frank, Al, and Charles, your thoughts are most appreciated. I value all of your contributions very highly. And I just think that framing arguments in the context of our society right now can be fraught with controversy and perceived, if not intended, ill will. Now hopefully we can return to the topic of fuses which as we all know is totally not controversial. :-p

Al,

 The question is who determines what subject matter is appropriate for an open public forum and when is a line crossed? Jond did make a very polite request, but what if others thread participants are comfortable with a given topic direction, who should prevail?


We all have our "drawn line in the sand" at some point. I feel its fine to simply ignore posters or topics as one deems necessary. It one or a few object does that give them the right or authority to shut a thread down or demand a topic is off limits? Just general questions as no  chosen solution is going to make everyone happy.

Charles

Jond,

To be perfectly clear I have no criticism of you what so ever. I don't know your political views and they wouldn't matter if I did know. I always appreciate your comments on this site and I feel the same toward Knghifi. Both of you offer consistently interesting commentary. Knghifi did make some observations regarding current society which in a general sense I agree with. Please don't interpret that as a veiled knock in your direction. It wasn't.

Charles

George
I do not doubt the efficacy of your statements whatsoever, they do make sense.
HOWEVER could it not also be possible that there may be an improvement above and beyond the "stock fuse" replacement?
Again I am just curious here and not wishing to be antagonistic in any way but have you actually tried them?
Wolf has and heard no difference and that is also fine, at least he tried and his opinion has been formed from actual experience.
mine will very soon once they show up.
But I read the same lines in different clothing all the time George and while it is a free forum obviously, I really would like to know if you have tried these fuses yourself
Marqmike, thanks very much for the nice words.

Regarding the appropriateness of political discussion at this forum, like JonD I was surprised at the controversy that resulted from his extremely polite and respectful request.  Which to Frank's credit was received amicably and readily agreed with by him, as the OP.

In the past I have seen many requests in other threads for members to avoid bringing politics (and also religion) into the discussion.  Jon's request was easily the most respectful and polite request of that kind that I can recall. 

And I agree that such discussions have no place here.  Although I suppose that arguing about what to argue about is preferable to arguing about such subject matter itself :-)

Regards,
-- Al
  
jond ...

There's no need for you to feel "criticized" regarding your stance at all. I'll go on record right here and say that if A'gon wanted to add a political forum to the site I'd be totally against it. Why? Because it would be a good way to lose half of one's friends. So, even though I interjected a political "thought" in a previous post, I'm on your side.

Wolf ... 

I have no issues with your opinions ... until those opinions become personal attacks and/or personal insults. Why? For the same reason I would be against a political forum on this site. 

Frank
Wow.  78 pages devoted mainly to discussing the merits of expensive fuses.  And some wonder why more people aren't attracted to this "hobby".  Go figure. 
Geoffkait…you don’t actually use fuses in your gear, correct? And Jond…the politeness and courtesy extended to me as a "worthy audio professional" (live concert sound mixer…"I get paid for this?") is nothing if not appreciated. 
Not merely a troll. A troll with issues related to having too many thumbs or hearing issues.

😁

+1 Wolf,
All potential fusers need to remember that fuses deteriorate with age from switch on surges (as pictured), and they just need to be replaced with good quality $2 fuse of the same value, as Almarg linked to. 

https://i.stack.imgur.com/0uqWX.jpg

http://www.digikey.com/products/en/circuit-protection/fuses/139 

Cheers George

So I feel like I'm being both obliquely and pointedly criticized for politely asking for a refrain from political commentary. It really feels rather mean spirited and condescending and I am frankly rather shocked. My politics are beside the point here, how about basic respect, politeness, and courtesy? Thank you.
I'll remind people here that I'm not a mere "troll," I'm a troll that did a comprehensive test of SR fuses to put my "money where my claims are" so to speak (write), and although I don't care at all how other people spend their audio bucks I do get riled up when I feel nonsense is touted as fact. In all things. I still bristle at the "30 day return policy" that is obviated somewhat by the "170 hour burn in and possibly reverse direction if no positive results occur" deal as a weirdly desperate sales hype ("please people...I just want others to blow their cash like I did"), and am absolutely in agreement with anyone recommending Littelfuse products as something that is all you need. Doesn't everyone feel better now? 

Marqmike,

The Johnny Hartman/John Coltrane is an all time classic. Utter beauty.

Charles

Hi Knghifi,

I  understand , believe me. I'm so happy  my son and daughter when in college didn't get swept up into the concept of "safe spaces"
. They both felt it was silly and immature. They made their papa (and mom) proud.

Charles

Pretty much anyone can say anything here, it is their choice. If we could remember when one chooses to ignore others comments it does not get much traction, it quickly becomes pretty much a non issue. That is a good thing mostly. And people have the choice instead of contributing a derogatory and contentious comment to have a  comment that contributes to the good of all here. It is a choice. And many here do choose well. Even if they are trying to correct someone,  as I think most here would agree Almarg and others have done so kindly and with dignity in the past. People like him raise our dignity for one another and our fun and enjoyment along with solving issues we may or may not have seen that we have.  

We all can't have it our exclusive way in any situation, we all need to fit in. And we can do so for our enjoyment, as has been done many times on this thread. I think most of us are here because we enjoy the hobby and the sharing of our joy. Sadly some enjoy bullying at times and some all the time. But ignoring them can help limit their comments or make them go away altogether.

Maybe other have mentioned this. A jazz vocal I really like is a 1963 recording of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman on Desert Island Records reissued by Verve Records.
@knghifi
if you really just need an escape from reality then Farcebook is as good a place as any...lol
Not much reality going on there last time i checked!
charles1dad, The problem is the "me" mentality.  Everything is about me me me.  If I don't like something, can't just ignore it but "respectively" ask to stop even though, a possibility majority of members have no issues with it.   This OPEN forum is my "safe house", my escape from life and reality.   I get to choose what subjects to discuss.

Like I said before, Agon is a just reflection of society and I'm sick of these intolerable &%*#!
Folks who reside on remote islands let's say somewhere in the Pacific can be surprisingly superstitious and sometimes believe, for example, that a camera is witchcraft and when someone takes a snapshot of them it steals their souls.

😬


George,

It's a figure of  speech.


Uberwaltz,

You are absolutely correct.  Even those with the highest credentials in science and research readily and "humbly"  acknowledge this. With all the advancement and discovery there is much that lacks a satisfying explanation. Science it seems is forever a step behind the observable.

Charles

A sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from voodoo. 

- old audiophile expression

I am sorry George but there are PLENTY of events and occurences in this world that completely defy pure logic, we all know this.
Why should fuses not be one of them?
I have a pair on order to try in my Bat VK600SE so will soon see if there is any truth in it. Heck yes $240 is  alot for a pair of fuses but I know I have spent more on changes that really have not done anything so why not try. And with a money back return all I will be out is shipping.
I do not care to dig back through this thread to find this info but have you ACTUALLY tried any of them George?
Not just the heart Charles as that can imply voodoo, but logic and all laws of electronics.

Cheers George
Follow your heart  George and do what you must, I’m sure folks appreciate it.
Charles
Just making sure and will continue to show, to any new fuse recruits that the voodoo fuse proponents are trying to reel in, that they hear what both side of the fence feel for any fuse differences in sound.
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1406831
Cheers George   
Knghifi,
As usual you make a good point regarding perspective, and you are right that no one should attempt to dictate the contents of a thread. The reality is a certain segment of the U.S. population were devastated by the presidential election and can’t seem to cope with it. Those are the ones who could likely ruin what’s been a very enjoyable thread. Of course the results made another segment very happy. Really does involve both sides.

George what more to say about stock vs upgrade fuses that hasn’t been repeated 100 times or is it 167 times by now. Frank has long-ago opened up this thread to the topic of music,musicians and recordings and which many here enthusiastically support. Frank has "again" sent me a stash of excellent recordings. Summation,
Upgrade premium fuses are voodoo for you. We get it.
These same fuses are highly appreciated audio tweaks for the vast majority of posters here.

George if you enjoy jazz there have been many good recommendations. In fact there have been terrific classical music recordings suggested as well. The music is an integral part of this beautiful thread and has elevated the level of interesting subject matter. 
Charles

And once again like clockwork, comes the topic shift to bury any negatives, once things are questioned about the voodoo fuses.

As almarg mentioned as well, just change your fuse for a well made new one "and clean the clamps".
I just used "10c" as a metaphor as an indication that you don’t need to pay >$100 for a voodoo fuse to get a change if your old fuse has deteriorated (pictured). A well made fuse in Australia is also $1-$2 as almarg stated.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/0uqWX.jpg

http://www.digikey.com/products/en/circuit-protection/fuses/139

Cheers George
However Jond is right in the sense that sports is far more lighthearted and trivial with little impact on our lives. Political issues profoundly impact our very existence.
charles1dad, it's a matter of ones perspective.  

I grew up in New England and very passionate with sports.  I played all 4 sports depending on the season.   We felt the pain when our local team loses.   I still can't get over Patriot lost in 2007.

When I was living in SoCal, it was totally different.  I never forgot the time I was moping over a lost and one of my colleague said to me, it's just a game!    What???

This is an open forum so if one chooses to participate, accept the fact there will be subjects or discussions you disagreed or not interested it so just ignore it.   No one should decide what's appropriate to discuss in an open forum.
Dare to speak your piece and a virtual dog pile ensues. A closed mind deserves its fate.
Next up, how about religion? Maybe that's not light hearted enough.

Knghifi,
I just as you and Frank follow politics closely and also believe virtually all is intertwined in life. However Jond is right in the sense that sports is far more lighthearted and trivial with little impact on our lives. Political issues profoundly impact our very existence. I follow both for drastically different reasons.
Charles
Yep, if you don’t see a difference, can’t help you.  Above my pay grade.
I see NO difference.   The problem is you see a difference!

I have NO interest in ACC sports, tired of pools, March madness ... if you want to discuss sports, please go to another site.   Don't you understand audio exists in vacuum?  Thank you!
knghifi if you can't see the difference between politics and sports I can't really help you. And no censorship I made a respectful request to Frank.