Synergistic Red Fuse ...

Needfreestuff,
Your instincts are right,  more time. 
Charles, 

I utterly disagree with the assertion that my last post wasn't funny…there were plenty of funny parts in it. At least 3.

I do enjoy this entire thread as a prime example of Audio Mysticism, and can further describe what I think is happening here (other than the relentless hard sell promotion by some, which I find unexplainable unless it's a scam promoted by SR). One reads about a supposed affordable tweak (although bathed in nonsense like "quantum tunneling" and fuse direction "absolutes"…which are absolute silliness, and using a "cost benefit" claim that ignores the "20 times more expensive than what you're using" part), sends for the tweak, and listens patiently for 70 hours (I fixed my timing error) of break in (!) after which one decides if the damn thing is in the right direction. If you don't hear the immense improvement claimed by the improvement claimers, there's something wrong with you…you lack listening skills along with your hundred and twenty bucks, so hey…you really want to cop the buzz…you want a miracle and maybe less hair loss…you want IN. Well Fundamentalist Fuse True Believers, you're in…

Regarding quantum tunneling, as I pointed out earlier in the thread there is such a phenomenon (see this Wikipedia writeup).  However, my understanding is that it has nothing to do with treating a material "with 2,000,000 volts of electricity in a process we [SR] call Quantum Tunneling."  Or with application of any other especially high voltage.

Regards,
-- Al
 

Almarg wrote,

"Regarding quantum tunneling, as I pointed out earlier in the thread there is such a phenomenon (see this Wikipedia writeup). However, my understanding is that it has nothing to do with treating a material "with 2,000,000 volts of electricity in a process we [SR] call Quantum Tunneling." Or with application of any other especially high voltage."

Of course it’s not really Quantum Tunneling. Geez. The beauty of being a manufacturer is you can call your methods or products anything you want to. It’s called poetic license or whatever.  I have to say quantum tunneling certainly sounds a lot better than Super Zapping. Hey, I call one of my products Dark Matter. Is it really dark matter? Well, uh, no. I call another one of my products a Particle Accelerator. Is it a real particle accelerator like a Supercollider or the one at CERN? No, but it is actually a particle accelerator. So I get partial credit.

No man is an island. He’s a peninsula.

wolf-garcia ...

You remind me of my son-in-law who wouldn't try smoked oysters because "he just knew they tasted awful." He denied himself of the pleasurable taste of smoked oysters for years. In fact, on one occasion he actually accused me of being on the payroll of an oyster processing plant.

One summer afternoon at a family get-together, and a number of beers later, I finally coaxed him to try "just one little oyster on a cracker."  He's been a believer in smoked oysters ever since.  

Needfreestuff ...

At around 70 hours things will really start to open up and tickle your ear drums. Hang in there ...

As the burn hours (200+) mount on these SR Blacks I’m simply amazed at the focus they bring to voices. There is a solidity and drive they bring to the music. Leading instruments also get the benefit of this focus. And surprisingly, my lower midrange and bass have gotten a smidge rounder and fuller, and all of this is most welcome. Thanks again guys, you're the best!

^^^ 
R_F_Sayles ...

Like you, I'm astounded at the improvement in my system brought about by the SR fuses and power cords.

 A fellow audiophile friend, whose hearing I really trust, made the comment the other night during a listening session that the tonality of the instruments was "dead nutz on."  That, in my opinion is the ultimate test in an audio system. When the instruments sound "right," then its time to start thinking about sound stage width and depth. And, with that said, the instrument we are most familiar with is the human voice. Get that right ... and all else falls into place. 

Hi Salyes,,
As I recall you have Atma-Sphere amplifiers. Are you using the Black fuses in them as well? 
Charles, 

It is fascinating to me that the Synergistic Research Black fuse has had a positive effect on so many different components.

Eddie Current Zana Deux OTL tube amp.
Emotion Audio Type 45 SET tube amp.
Art Audio PX25 SET tube amp.
Antelope Audio DAC.
Marantz SA11-S2 SACD player.
Marantz SA11-S1 SACD player.
Galileo Sub Woofer.
SVS Sub Woofer.
Zvox Home Theater System.

I am very glad Oregon papa started this thread.

David Pritchard

Gents,
At the risk of being the denier of Oregonpapa’s experiential views on all things fuse and power cord-related, my experience has been quite different. The Red Fuse provided no sonic improvement in my system, none at least that could discern. I have auditioned a dozen power cords in my system with no benefit, although none admittedly cost more than a few hundred dollars. It has been a fool’s errand trying out these tweaks. That said, I have rolled NOS tubes in my preamp that have made very obvious changes in the sound. Some favored the LF and some the HF and some yielded a sublime mid-range response. These tube-rolling experiences were far from subtle, manifesting their sonic impact within a few bars of the music. Their effect was immediate. Other than with new speakers, the notion of "breaking in" gear, such as fuses, IC's and power cords laughable. 

My take is that this fuse and power cord business is reflective of the paranoia and insecurity of lots of audiophiles who are guilted into trying foolish tweaks thinking that such electrically illogical tweaks will reveal the sort of performance that their systems are somehow currently masking. Frankly, think about it for a moment... what is the logic in thinking that a fuse will make any difference, regardless whether it is cryo treated or not?

By all means, give these tweaks a try so long as can get your money back if they don’t please you. But don’t waste your time listening to the pablum on this forum "informing" you of what ought you to be hearing with them in your system. If they improve the sound in our system, keep them. If not, send them back. Cheers, Whitestix

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?   

On the basis of David's list above, I would add the following as benefitting from the SR Red and now replaced with SR Black fuses:

Bryston BDP-2
Bel Canto DAC 3.7
Primaluna Prologue Six

whitestix:

I am glad you tried the Synergistic Research RED fuse. As you did not hear an improvement I hope you were able to send it back for a refund.

I have done a lot of tube rolling and enjoy that part of the hobby. In the 6SL7Gt family, I am sure I have over 10 types. Of those the 1959 Hamburg Germany, Valvo, and the Italian Fivre do something special in the Zana Deux amp. The Tung Sols, National Unions, RCAs, Sylvanias,Brimars, Mullards, CBS, Hyltrons, etc.not as much change. Unlike the Red and Black fuses discussed in this thread, none came with a 30 day trial.

It is interesting that not many people seems to think that tube rolling is a fool's errand . I think rolling tubes , fuses and A/C wall outlets all change the sound in my systems.

I also think Power cords can change the sound of a system especially once one begins evaluating products not of the entry level category.

I find it interesting and sometimes money and time saving to read what others have tried. Especially those who make changes in a systematic way and then have the talent to articulate the sonic changes they experience. None of us have the time to try all the tubes, fuses , or power cords out there.

Because of this thread I have tried the Black fuses and they have improved the sound of my systems. So I reported my results.

At Head-Fi.com I read about 6SL7GT tubes used in the Zana Deux amp. I tried a lot of the tubes and reported what I heard.

I hope you will list the components that did not respond to the SR RED fuse. It is possible you will save other owner's of the same equipment some time and money.


I do not understand when some people experience a different result than others, they feel compelled to cast negativity towards those persons.


andynotadam:

Thank you for listing your components that responded to the SR Black fuse. I do think publishing specific component results will be helpful to future readers of this thread.

David Pritchard

I find it very interesting that so many of us are getting astounding results from the SR fuses ... and yet, there are the few who get nothing out of them at all. I understand the skepticism though. Early on in this thread I made the statement that I've been burned before by tweaks that didn't work ... and if it hadn't been for the 30 day return policy, I wouldn't have tried the first SR Red fuse that I bought.  I'm so glad I did. I can't think of any other tweak I've tried in over 40 years in the hobby that has made such an outstanding improvement in the system. I've made similar improvements but its always involved major upgrades in equipment. A case in point was when I replaced my ARC SP-14 with the ARC REF-3. Or the ARC Classic 60 replaced with the REF-75. Those were major improvements, but not more so than upgrading to the SR fuses and power cords.  Why there are those who cannot hear the improvements is beyond me. A mystery to be sure. 

Charles ... 

Did you get the Kapsberger/Dowling lute CD yet?? 

George wrote,

"Well said Whitestix
There’s way too much voodoo in this industry that not substantiated with any technical explanation offered. (Note: that was almost a compete sentence)

EG: Shun Mook Mpingo room treatment devices.

http://www.stereophile.com/features/69/#eE3kszwsp5RadvU3.97

After all every piece of equipment that everyone owns, is made using the laws of electronics and test gear to develop it. Anyone who has something that’s not made using these has voodoo gear."

George, we’ve already gone over all of that. There is nothing voodoo about the Mpingo discs. Ignorance of the laws of science is no excuse. The particular method of operation is actually provided on the Shun Mook web page for Mpingo discs. Don’t get so freaked out by such simple and easy to understand audio devices as Mpingo discs, tiny little bowl resonators, Shakti Halographs, Marigo VTS dots, Graphene fuses, or what have you.

"Knowledge is what’s left after you forgot everything you learned in school." - Old audiophile axiom

geoff at Machina Dynamica

Oregonpapa wrote,

"I find it very interesting that so many of us are getting astounding results from the SR fuses ... and yet, there are the few who get nothing out of them at all. I understand the skepticism though."

Well, for one thing that’s not really skepticism, assuming they tried the fuses. The word "skepticism" is usually reserved for those who refuse to try things based on some sort of gut reaction or the feeling that the laws of physics have somehow been violated. Or they just like going after audiophiles and audiophile tweaks. ;-)

"Early on in this thread I made the statement that I’ve been burned before by tweaks that didn’t work ... and if it hadn’t been for the 30 day return policy, I wouldn’t have tried the first SR Red fuse that I bought. I’m so glad I did. I can’t think of any other tweak I’ve tried in over 40 years in the hobby that has made such an outstanding improvement in the system."

Just curious, which tweaks did you try that didn’t work for you, that you felt burned by? As I already mentioned, there are many reasons why audiophiles sometimes don’t get good results even with the most reliable of tweaks. I hate to judge before all the facts are in but it certainly appears fuses are destined to go down as controversial tweaks, even twenty years after aftermarket fuses were introduced. Controversial because of the skeptics, controversial because results are somewhat mixed, and controversial because they are so small and innocuous.

"I’ve made similar improvements but its always involved major upgrades in equipment. A case in point was when I replaced my ARC SP-14 with the ARC REF-3. Or the ARC Classic 60 replaced with the REF-75. Those were major improvements, but not more so than upgrading to the SR fuses and power cords. Why there are those who cannot hear the improvements is beyond me. A mystery to be sure."

I can certainly understand the melodrama but it’s not really a mystery why some people cannot hear certain tweaks. It happens all the time. It happens with cables, it happens with power cords, it happens with Mpingo discs, it happens with CD treatments, with demagnetizers, with contact enhancers and it happens with it happens with fuses. We already know, for example, if the user inserts the Fuse in the wrong direction he might not like what he hears. Speaking of which, is everyone on board the directionality of the Black fuse, that the correct direction is determined by the letters S and R on the fuse? The dude with the DartZeel equipment reported otherwise, IIRC.

cheers,

geoff kait at Machina Dynamica

I find it very interesting that so many of us are getting astounding results from the SR fuses ... and yet, there are the few who get nothing out of them at all. ... Why there are those who cannot hear the improvements is beyond me. A mystery to be sure.

Same reason one hears different degrees of improvement in components with aftermarket fuses where degree can be zero.

In my case, tube amp most sensitive, follow by tube pre and then SS amp = tube DAC.

I agree about Audio Magic Super Fuse. That’s one helluva little fuse. And Skeptics enjoy the liquid filling. Mmmmm, liquid filling.  I used it in my long gone all tube Woo Audio headphone amp, whereas for my uber modded Oppo 103 the stock fuse was replaced by a copper thingamabob. Was that wrong?

geoffkait ...

  "Well, for one thing that’s not really skepticism ..."

I was referring to those who "know" the fuses don't work without even trying them. 

   "Just curious, which tweaks did you try that didn’t work for you, that you felt burned by?"  

1.  Green paint for CD's.  Black paint for CD's.
2.  Tice Clock.
3.  Don't recall the name, but a black box with a power cord attached that when plugged into any outlet was supposed to lower the noise floor. It did absolutely nothing. 
4.  After market turntable mat that did  nothing except slow the speed of the turntable motor. 
5.  CD mat ... no change.
6. After market jumper cables for the speakers that actually degraded the sound. 
7. ... more and more ... :-)

    " I can certainly understand the melodrama ..."

Melodrama? What melodrama? I'm just chronicling my experiences with the SR fuses. Geeze, Louise ... if you want to see melodrama, read the posts from some of the naysayers who haven't tried the fuses. *lol* 

    " It happens with cables, it happens with power cords, it happens with Mpingo discs, it happens with CD treatments, with demagnetizers, with contact enhancers and it happens with it happens with fuses."
    
With the exception of Mpingo discs, I have tried everything else above. Some were busts and some were major improvements. Some that worked were the result of trial and error. An example ... I've tried a number of contact enhancers and CD treatments. One contact enhancer gave an improvement initially but then eventually dulled the sound. It was a real bear to get it off of the RCA plugs and tube pins. Now, I just use Caig Red and Gold. Works great. After much trial and error, I've settled on a CD treatment formulated by a friend, the contents of which, he keeps close to the vest. For a solution to clean records on my VPI 16.5, I make my own. Its better than anything I've tried in the commercial products and it costs only pennies to make up a gallon of solution.  Oh, years ago, I bought a VCR tape demagnetizer from Radio Shack. I treat every CD with it after cleaning with my friend's CD cleaning solution. It really takes the digital edge off of the CD's that need it. They sound much more analog like after the treatment. 

And yes ... the direction of the fuse makes all the difference. Like going from a system that's out of phase, to one that brings you to a new level of resolution and musical enjoyment.  With all of that said, the SR fuses are such a revelation in my system, that I find it really hard to imagine that they don't work in every application. I suspect that the user isn't letting the fuse break in ... or that the system has some other problem attached to it.

On the other hand, there are those who find a really great single malt Scotch to be unpalatable, or are completely oblivious to a glorious rainbow or a beautiful sunset. To each his own ...

Take care ...

Years ago, I had an audio salesman try to talk me into a solid state amp and trading in the tube amp I was using at the time. He made the claim that what I was listening to in the tube amp was "distortion." My reply to him was ... "well, if that's distortion, give me more distortion." 

If the SR fuses and power cords are "Voodoo," then PLEASE, give me more Voodoo.  :-)

Hi Frank,
I'm awaiting shipment of the O'Dette Lute CD.

Hi Whitestix,
I done quite a bit of tube rolling of various components over the years. As you note some changes are immediately obvious and some were subtle at best.   I have no way to explain your results with the SR Red fuses so I just simply accept your individual outcome.  

The effect of the Black fuses in my system were more noticeable and dramatic than a number of the tube comparisons.  Those were simply my results based on listening.  Although we had very different outcomes with the fuses I won't cast negative assertions and judgement towards you. You make many broad based assumptions about the many posters here whose results differed from yours.  All manner of audio products will inevitably yield a range of results from one end of the spectrum to the other.  Why the need to denigrate listeners whose impressions are contrary to yours?  The fuses were unimpressive for  you,I understand that.  For the vast majority on this thread the fuses have been a smashing sucessful tweak.
Charles, 

Note that 42% of the posts on this thread have come from 4 individuals, with oregonpapa currently ahead of charles1dad 190 to 173. Come on charles, you're SO close!

Consider the number of individual listeners of these fuses who have successful results compared to the number who have not, pretty high ratio. I would not expect 100% consensus of opinion with these fuses(or any product for that matter). 
Regards,
Charles,

wolf-garcia ...

Only you would have taken the time to do the math.  More important is how many in the hobby have improved their systems by what we have posted here. SR has linked this thread to their Facebook page and its gone international. If you'll take the time to notice, we are almost at 60,000 views. I don't know the number of course, but I'll bet that SR has sold thousands of their Red and Black fuses as a result of this thread. And I say, based upon the result obtained, MORE POWER TO THEM.  

Now then wolf-garcia ... what say you?????

Yes, Charles. I have the Atma-Sphere OTL MA1 Mk3 Silver Edition. But I am yet to fund the four large fuses for them (don't believe the heater would show any benefit with hi-fi fusing). It's on the list, but I just dropped a little cash for a pair of used Coincident Extreme speaker cables for my monitor units on the CPREt's, had the old standard CST on them. I see you are utilizing non Coincident cabling. How do you like it?  And just picked up a real good IC for the critical phono to pre connection. So, all things in good time. Cheers!

There are millions of Mormans and I remain a committed atheist. If somebody sent me a pile of these fuses without a ransom fee, I'd try them and then report that they don't work just to continue to make my point…I have no wiggle room. So now I have to go through all 60,000 Facebook views to see what percentage are from oregonpapa charles1dad…this is gonna take a while.

wolf-garcia ...

Your point is well taken. I've come to the conclusion, based upon your last post, that you've arrived at your opinion based upon your FAITH that you know the SR fuses won't work in your system. Thanks, I get it  now.  :-)

PS: to arrive at the correct percentage figure, just divide my 190 posts and Charles' 173 posts by 60,000.  

r_f_sayles ...

I used a pair of  Atma-Sphere OTL 60 watters for a couple of years in my system. They were way under powered for the application ... driving a pair of Acoustat  IV electrostatic panels.  A mid-range to die for, I must say ... and very tonally correct. Very musical as well. I also had the opportunity to hear Ralph's various pre-amps in the same system. Lovely, to say the least.  I would love to hear Ralph's amps on a pair of Harbeth's. I'll bet that would be a great match. 

oregonpapa very well said indeed! One man's distortion is another man's great sound!

Vlad:

You bring up a very good question. The Synergistic Research Red and Black fuses do have a different sound. The Black brings more music to the ear but (to me at least) is able to also have a better sense of flow to the music. The original Synergistic Research SR-20 and The Black are my two favorite fuses in the Synergistic Research line up. I do think the Black gets so many things right that it is worth the highest cost of the three SR fuses.

If you are able to audition the fuse with a 30 day trial I would do so. I hope you will report your findings.

David Pritchard

Hi r_f_sayles,
I use the Ocellia Silver Reference IC and SC.  They're a fine match with the Coincident components and speakers. 
Charles, 

Well, gents, this thread goes on and on, with a lot of chatter, and like the discussions with my girlfriend, they reach no conclusions.  I have a Don Sach's tube preamp, a modest Emotiva 5.1 amp driving a pair of Linkwitz LX mini speakers, with an Ayre DAC, upgraded Oppo 105 and a SOTA Sapphire TT for the poster who asked about my rig.  This thread has devolved into a theological debate.  I have tried a bunch of tweaks over the years.  Steve McCormick's steel spikes 30 years ago were and are fantastic for heavy speakers on carpet but the new appalations of them are goofy expensive and of dubious value (Stillpoints).  I tried SR's Magic Dots which made no difference to my ears. They are a silly notion, but were worth a try.  I tried a couple of Shakti Blocks, to the amusement of my audiophile buddies.  They were totally ineffectual, quite silly really.  I have tried expensive power cords with my former Modwright amp/preamp and found no sonic benefit.  Each and each piece went back for a full refund.
I tried two or three of Herbies tweaks -- tube dampeners and isolation devices, and back they went for refund. My $.05 silicon tube dampeners function just fine.

I guess from the number of folks on this thread who find the fuses, etc. improving their system, I think that is just great.  They don't cost much and if they, like speaker cable elevators, do something to improve the sound of their system, then what the hell, go for it.  I do advice you to turn in your "BS filter" to what is being said in an advocacy of these tweaks and understand that folks like GK, who chimes in on this post with baffling assertions coming from the realm of pseudo-electronics, have economic skin in the game to entice you to try the expensive stuff they peddle.  

To finish, rolling tubes is an extremely worthwhile tweak to consider and the sonic effect of different tubes can be profound.  BTW, I have $3.00/ft Neotech speaker cable in my system and I am completely happy with it, after comparing it to far pricier cable. Whitesix

Oregonpapa wrote,

"1. Green paint for CD's. Black paint for CD's.
2. Tice Clock.
3. Don't recall the name, but a black box with a power cord attached that when plugged into any outlet was supposed to lower the noise floor. It did absolutely nothing.
4. After market turntable mat that did nothing except slow the speed of the turntable motor.
5. CD mat ... no change.
6. After market jumper cables for the speakers that actually degraded the sound.

Couple things.  The green pen is a little trickier than folks realize.  The green should only be used on the outer edge and black should only be used on the inner edge.  Black should never be used on the outer edge or on the label.  Mess you up. The black box sounds like the quantum corp. Symphony Or Symphony Pro or the one that preceded them, all of which I had good luck with.  Knock on wood.  The Mpingo disc, very tricky to find the place where it actually makes a big difference but it's there.  When I first heard what the Mpingo disc can do I almost evacuated a brick.  I showed Pierre at Maplshade the Mpingo discs back in 1997 at the show and he insisted on using it on the floor right in front of the system. 

Geoff Kait
machina dynamica

Earlier in this thread there was discussion of audio  equipment designers and builders regarding the use of premium fuses in their products. Of course the verdict is mixed among them.  There's a review of the highly praised French made TotalDACd1-6   on the 6 Moons review site. The Manufacturer offers the SR Quantum 20 fuses as an  upgrade in his DAC.  He believes that it is a clear improvement of the stock fuse. I don't know if he's aware of the Black fuse or not.   So some builders believe in these fuses and some don't. This review also offers interesting discussion/comparison  of the R2R ladder vs Delta Sigma topologies. 
Charles, 

oregonpapa, I enjoy hearing you have had and liked the Atma-Sphere gear. Like with any other amp but, perhaps OTL's especially, having a good (impedance match and) power match is vital. Yeah, for me, the transparency and tonal quality they bring, especially in the midrange is addictive. The speed at which they work is also quite remarkable.

I may just stay right where I'm at for a long, long time yet...

I don't know how this fits in other than to say that soon after I got my Marantz Reference components (after break in), I swapped out the stock fuses for HiFi Tuning fuses and after break in, the sound did improve. It was not on the level of going to Darwin ICs or Zu Audio SCs but there did seem to be a more resolving nature but as I said, not on the level of the cable swaps. 

It got me closer to a cleaner event and in the end, it's all I ask for in this hobby. I don't want anything that leads to a sideways change, just a cleaner and clearer one. 

Everything is system dependent as I had to remove some Herbies footers from under my speakers for a tighter and more focused sound, return a SteinMusic speaker match for doing really nothing, remove some Mad Scientist black discs from my amp's speaker output posts for the same reason, and a few others that don't come readily to mind. 

Heck, even power cords made a bigger difference than the fuses. I know I"m limiting myself to what I've experienced but I'm really quite satisfied with what progress I've made and don't begrudge anyone who claims to have better results. Hats off to anyone who's happy and it'd be nice to see less of a polarized nature to all of this.

All the best,
Nonoise

Whitesox wrote,

"I guess from the number of folks on this thread who find the fuses, etc. improving their system, I think that is just great. They don’t cost much and if they, like speaker cable elevators, do something to improve the sound of their system, then what the hell, go for it. I do advice you to turn in your "BS filter" to what is being said in an advocacy of these tweaks and understand that folks like GK, who chimes in on this post with baffling assertions coming from the realm of pseudo-electronics, have economic skin in the game to entice you to try the expensive stuff they peddle."

Uh, oh, I’m getting a bad feeling.

geoff kait
machina dynamica
advanced audio conceits

I am delighted to hear all the  favorable views about tweaks and my only point is to give them a try so long as you can get full refund, which I did with my red fuse.  The dealer who sold it to me noted that he had "sold thousands of them few few returns."  This audio market is rampant with folks selling tweaks of unfathomably dubious usefulness, one of which is a frequent poster on this thread who makes completely absurd claims, so my best advice for my beloved fellow audiophiles is get a grip on your  audio neurosis and just sit back and enjoy the music.   I just got a new release of 1976 Stan Getz recording today and it is fantastic.  Fuses are the farthest thing from my mind right now....

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.    

Whitestix,
I'm not sure how familiar you are with this thread but music  and recording recommendations have been an ongoing feature. By no means are you the only music lover participating here. You'll find some really fine music titles shared in this ever growing thread. The fuses have only enhanced the music listening enjoyment. Stan Getz? Oh yeah. I can recommend some good Sonny Stitt and Daxter Gordon and much more. Frank (Oregonpapa)) can easily do the same. 
Charles, 

Typo, meant Dexter Gordon. 

Jafreemen posts: 
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.  


Sir,
Thanks for your post. We agree and disagree.  You suggest that you don't want to disparage lower-price gear, but you proceed to do just that.  Don Sach's tube preamp is the best preamp I have had in my system in 45 years, following on the heels of a Luxman, Klyne,  Modwright, Belles, CJ, Berning, a fully restored HK C-I, and a few others that I forget. Don's preamp is by far the best.  When I auditioned the Linkwitz speakers in Mr LInkwtiz home, he drove them with the  same Emotiva amp I use.  (Do not diss the Linkwtiz speakers if you have not hear them.  They are a quantum leap in speaker technology.)   If the Emotiva amp he has in system good is enough for him, it sounds fine to my ears.  I paid $350 for the amp. I will admit that a pair of Pass Labs amps might sound better, but they would not fit in my audio rack.  
 
I agree that one has to wade through the BS to get to the useful tweaks, none of which you suggested passes my BS meter.  But jez, the silly notions you cats seem to devote your energy seems to me  a mostly useless diversion from the sheer enjoyment of listening to the music we long to hear.  Eddie Higgins in the rotation tonight.

PS: Share with us your audio components which so profoundly benefit from the tweaks you find worthy.  I am thinking maybe Ayon mono block amps, a Basis TT,  Rockports, Wilson, or Raidho speakers. Maybe a pair of the lovely Lansche speakers. Maybe a pair of KEF Blades? Share with us the system you have so we we plebeians can stop wasting your money on foolish tweaks with our modest systems. 

Talking about room treatments ... The four Shatki Holograms I have in the room were a major improvement. Without them, the sound stage collapses. I wouldn't want to be without them in the system.

Oregonpapa wrote,

"Talking about room treatments ... The four Shatki Holograms I have in the room were a major improvement. Without them, the sound stage collapses. I wouldn’t want to be without them in the system."

I’m not very surprised to hear about your success with Shakti Hallographs and I suspect the person, I forget which one, who recently disparaged Shakti Blocks (Shakti Stones) undoubtedly experienced operator error issues since the Shakti Stones are directional and location dependent. There are many reasons why some folks don’t get the full audiophile experience with some tweaks. Operator error happens to be one of them. I was in the room at CES with John Curl and Bob Crump when Mike Van Evers demonstrated his wild wood block contraption which one supposes was the predecessor to the Shakti Hallographs. I also have been using the somewhat similar Mpingo discs since Bob Hope was a Boy Scout. Not to mention tiny little bowl resonators. And Helmholtz resonators. And crystals. They’re all related.

Cheers,

geoff kait
machina dynamica
no goats no glory

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.        

Hi whitestix, mighty fine speaker's you have,  I'm a fan big time of the linkwitz speaker's,  however,  although I do agree most power cord's are crap, I  challenge you to try the taralab's cobalt power cord with oyaida termination's,  and the 3 higher model above that,  which are the cobalt Reference,  Evolution,  Evolution Grandmaster power cord's,  I have the model mentioned first,  I would say that this power cord was one of,  if not the most profound improvement to my digital player,  and system as a whole,  enjoy the music.