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
Yea grannyring,just like the screws that hold the whole thing together--just as essential as these BS parts mentioned herein. 
This just in! Audio Magic checks in with Nano liquid filled fuses. Liquid filling...yum!

from the Audio Magic website,

Audio Magic is known for having the quietest, best sounding fuses on the market today. When it comes to innovative fuse design we accomplish this by stopping noise in a variety of ways that no one else does.

a. Stop the element from vibrating at 50/60 hz which is a huge noise component. We accomplish this by injecting the fuse with a proprietary liquid anti vibration material that stops the vibrating element in it's tracks.

b. Injecting the fuse with our Black Out mixture which gobbles up internal and external EMI and RF.

c. Treat the fuse with our Nano Streaming process which brings the crystalline structure of any metal in the fuse closer together thus removing static discharge in the fuse as well as making all metal parts better conductors.

d. Incorporating our exclusive i Core Technology in the Premier line, this process allows for the energy going through the fuse to do so in a very uniform manner thus increasing efficiency.


Nano Premium Liquid Fuse
This is our entry level fuse which incorporates a mixture of our anti-vibration fluid and Black Out material blended together.

Super Fuse
This fuse is filled with a 1/3 anti-vibration material and 2/3 Super Black Out mixture for even better EMI and RF control.

Premiere Super Fuse
This fuse is just like the standard Super Fuse, only we've add our NEW i Core Technology to the fuse.

Premier Bees wax Super Fuse
This fuse is identical to the Premier Super Fuse only we've replaced the standard anti-vibration material with Bees Wax [ a very intense process ]. This fuse gives all the great attributes of the Standard Premier with a very organic flavor.

All Audio Magic fuses have had extensive testing done to make sure the fuses blow at the ratings the manufacturer intended, and, no, they will not leak as the fluid solidifies after about an hour of being in.

grannyring   01-29-17

Thank you for publishing a link to the Audio Horizon's website, which
provides an insight into the reasoning involved in the manufacture of their     "platinum reference more than a fuse."

I found it very interesting. Moreover what a manufacturer say about its  products is always worthy reading.
Funny stuff LOL! To bad it is off point. Like reading the wit in your posts as well as others however. 

Your car drives better after you wash it…everybody knows that. Your hifi rig sounds better after you stick expensive fuses in it, or it should sound a LOT better based on the opinions of Real Audiophiles because if it doesn't, you're gonna feel like an idiot. Nobody wants that…you need to feel good about your tweaks because you're smart, you're a sensitive music listener, and darn it, people LIKE you.
Georgelofi
almarg
Personally, I would always much prefer to see a manufacturer say something along the lines of "frankly, we don’t know why it works but it does," than to provide misleading and specious technical explanations.

Best regards,
-- Al

Yes that would be a more honest approach, and to get rid of face saving comments like " the proof is in the listening."

Cheers George

Thanks, George, that’s just the pick-me-up I needed for a slow Sunday afternoon. I hate to be the one to point this out but saying, "the proof is in the listening" is the SAME as saying, "we don’t know why it works but it does." Have you been nodding out on us? Hel-loo!

have a nice afternoon

almarg
 Personally, I would always much prefer to see a manufacturer say something along the lines of "frankly, we don’t know why it works but it does," than to provide misleading and specious technical explanations.

Best regards,
-- Al
Yes that would be a more honest approach, and to get rid of face saving comments like " the proof is in the listening."

Cheers George
So if every amp maker, regardless of type, were to make their amps to some same exacting spec, to the point where a fuse or cable wouldn't make a lick of difference, then all amps would sound the same. Wouldn't they? If so, then we could all go to Best Buy to buy our gear and it would be even easier since there would be no need to have more than one make or brand.

Welcome, comrades, to the new order. Now we can do away with sites like this since there'd be no need for discussion. Just a music section where we could all argue about music, unless it can be determined that all music, properly written and scored, sounds alike and then we can all have just one song to listen to. Simplicity at it's best.

No need for satire either, since there wouldn't be any mistakes being made, no advances or trials to further anything that needs to be derided and pooh-poohed. Life without choices or diversity. Can't wait.

All the best,
Nonoise
Shadorne a fuse is an internal part along with caps, diodes, resistors, wire, trannys etc.... all these internal parts do impact the sound assuming the unit is designed properly as you say. A properly designed tube amp does benifit sonically when higher quality parts are used like Duelund caps, Vishay nude resistors, film caps in the power supply, silver wire trannys, and a better quality fuse. It’s all in the soup.

This also holds true for any piece of gear. Parts matter beyond just hitting spec.

So in the end any well and properly designed piece of gear can sound good and even very good without upgraded caps, resistors, trannys, and fuses. No need for these boutique parts in well designed gear unless one wants that next level of improved fidelity. Power cords do the same thing as boutique parts often times. You are most happy without the boutique parts and that is most understandable. Nevertheless, these parts including fuses, wire, and cords do often improve fidelity. If not, then buy one of the many pro sound amps which are properly designed for $300 and that would be as good as it gets and this whole site/hobby is really useless. I know it is useless for many perhaps including yourself which again is perfectly reasonable and understandable. However, others have the need and appreciate what is possible which is also understandable. 
shadowman wrote,

"The only reason you could ever need better fuses or better power cords is if your equipment is totally inadequately designed and badly built to begin with!

Well designed and well built Components will maximize the accuracy of the source signal and totally minimize all other extraneous factors like interconnects, cables and power cords - all to inaudible levels.

If you hear a difference from changing an extraneous factor like a power cord then there is something seriously wrong with your equipment or set up to begin with. It may happen but it is really not acceptable for audio equipment to be so unreliable."

Do you have anything to support ANY your statements? Anything at all? It sounds like you're just huffing and puffing. No offense to you personally.


I see what you mean. My bad. Maybe his job is lawn maintenance. In any case, he didn't say, "I'm a not a knucklehead." At least not in so many words.

Actually Geoff, George said ,"I am a not a lawer". Accuracy is important when discussing fuses.

Lawers are a new form of pseudo-lawyers that that have no legal training nor other qualifications but exist to warn us that there is a potential lawsuit. Like the LifeLock commercials where the guy in uniform in the bank says, "There’s a robbery". George was just being modest as he has demonstrated every attribute of a full-blown lawer, so please give him the respect that he so rightfully deserves. I think we should all chip in and get him that uniform. It’s the least we can do in my opinion.

Lawers, whether admittedly so or not, are very valuable and should be thanked for their selflessness and service to protect the common good.

Dave
+1 Almarg

The only reason you could ever need better fuses or better power cords is if your equipment is totally inadequately designed and badly built to begin with!

Well designed and well built Components will maximize the accuracy of the source signal and totally minimize all other extraneous factors like interconnects, cables and power cords - all to inaudible levels.

If you hear a difference from changing an extraneous factor like a power cord then there is something seriously wrong with your equipment or set up to begin with. It may happen but it is really not acceptable for audio equipment to be so unreliable. 

Actually, and I apologize for repeating myself for the umpteenth time, but there are already enough perfectly good reasons why aftermarket fuses work better than ordinary fuses without having to go down rabbit holes like noise rejection and how many dB dance on the head of a pin. Furthermore why would anyone say, "We don't know how it works, we just know it does? That would be ignorant and not serve any purpose. If I can be so bold, the only ones here who are claiming they don't know how aftermarket fuses work are the pseudo skeptics. No offense intended.

A couple of further comments regarding the statements at the AH site:

1)As I mentioned in my previous post, it follows from the second of the two statements I quoted that a "typical fuse" provides zero noise rejection. Which sounds right to me! Their first statement I quoted says that their fuse increases "high frequency noise-rejection fifty fold over that of a conventional fuse." It’s worth reflecting upon the fact that 50 times zero is still zero.

2)Regarding their statement about the 10 ohm impedance of their fuse at 10 MHz, a far more effective approach to attenuating 10 MHz noise, as well as noise at other similarly high frequencies, would be to put a suitably chosen ferrite clamp costing a few dollars around the power cord, near the IEC connector on the component. Which is not to say, though, that in a given application there would necessarily be any benefit from doing so.

Personally, I would always much prefer to see a manufacturer say something along the lines of "frankly, we don’t know why it works but it does," than to provide misleading and specious technical explanations.

Best regards,
-- Al

George,  the Audio Horizons site does talk about sound quality here;

"with a level of detail and refinement so sweet, delicate, and with such presence and immediacy—well, it will make you smile."

Come on now please be intellectually honest. Your question was answered and the companies do tout better sound. These are just what I found in 10 minutes!

As to the truth of what they say on technical matters, you may be right and I am not smart enough to pick a dog in that debate. I do know they impact sound however. All you have to do is remove one and insert a copper slug or bypass one to know they certainly impact sound. I have done it and know the result. I have also heard one fuse sound different then another and one fuse increase my enjoyment of music more than another. In this regard I am like you in that I know the truth about fuses and no amount of prose on these threads really means anything as I have experienced the truth already.
Georgelofi said,

"I’m not a lawyer."

Gee, no kidding? You probably don’t know that amps, speakers, whatever frequently don’t measure the same as the stated specifications when tested. Would you believe they never measure the same in different rooms? Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!

Someone once did try to get the FCC on my case for the Teleportation Tweak, I will admit.

I don’t think anyone has ever tried to measure Shun Mook discs but they’re quite effective in any case. In fact I’d go as far as to say they’re Super Duper. I actually have experience. Can you believe it?

This all just substantiates my contention that this is a classic case of Advanced Audiophiles vs uh, let me choose my words carefully - the Opposite.
http://www.audio-horizons.com/pages/fuse.html  >$118
Not one word about it improving the sound, just a lot of voodoo on impedance at 10mHz, and leaving the sound of it up to the gullible buyer, by stating " the proof is in the listening."

http://www.synergisticresearch.com/new-category-synergistic-research-quantum-fuses-furutech-hifituni...  >$50
This statement has grounds for legal action, as it's impossible, unless the fuse has a 1st 2nd 3rd or 4th order HF filter inside it. 
"Fuses significantly outperform all other high-end fuses on the market and are "guaranteed to deliver a noticeable increase in sound staging", resolution and air thanks to a lower noise floor and blacker backgrounds."

http://www.synergisticresearch.com/synergistic-researchs-new-reference-red-fuse/  
Also grounds for legal action, I'm not a lawer but I think the first two words (All told) are the get out of jail free card.
" All told SR RED fuses significantly outperform every other high-end fuse on the market and are the only fuses guaranteed to deliver a significant increase in system performance or your money back. When compared to our award winning SR20 Quantum Fuses, SR RED Fuses sound more refined with smoother highs and more linear frequency extension from the deepest bass to the highest highs; no small feat given the remarkable performance of our original SR20 Quantum Fuses. ."

I've never come across such blatant B/S in all my years of audio, sorry yes I have,  "Shun Mook Mpingo Discs"

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves for preaching this rubbish, I hope your getting well compensated for it. 

Cheers George 
  
George, first time I have ever posted these. Anyway these are direct quotes from manu sites and specifically answer your question perfectly. These are the actual quotes from manu sites on current and past products. I just did a 10 minute search and copy and pasted. You will find the very same quotes from the manufactures by doing the same search. I have never posted any other quotes on this matter, as far as I remember, as it really does not occupy much of my time or concern. I thought I would just help answer your question as I have seen it now a few times.

Al, I am not saying these comments or quotes are true. Just sharing actual site quotes for George as he keeps asking a question which is very easy to answer by just looking at the manu sites current and past. That is all I did. I agree with your comments.

 George since you don't trust me here are the links for you read the same quotes I gave earlier;

http://www.audio-horizons.com/pages/fuse.html

http://www.synergisticresearch.com/new-category-synergistic-research-quantum-fuses-furutech-hifituni...

 http://www.synergisticresearch.com/synergistic-researchs-new-reference-red-fuse/

Hi fleschler,

If you have the time, I would love to see a picture/pictures of what it looks like to have 42,000 records and CDs.  I can't even imagine.
Thanks,
George
Hi fleschler,
Andy is a very knowledgeable and reliable source. I’ve bought from him in the past and was pleased with his tubes and service. As I’ve mentioned in this thread previously, the SR Black fuses were sonically more impactful than some tube swaps that I’ve done. As with you my music listening hours exceeds my television viewing. You certainly have an  "enormous " (and I am sure wonderful sounding) library of recordings 😊.
Charles
I improved my system by about 20% of what the fuses have done by replacing the 6SN7 cathode follower tubes in my amps today. I had 1950s GE tubes which Andy of Vintage Tube Services stated they are mediocre at best. He told me to stick with RCA and Sylvania tubes. I purchased a pair of Sylvania 6SN7 GTB 1950s tubes. The manufacturer told me that the cathode follower tubes all sound the same.  Wrong.  The improvement was immediate. Superior ambience, greater micro-dynamics, clearer sound. Sounds a lot like the benefit of the fuses but not as dramatic (the bass, mids and macro dynamics sound about the same other than the enhanced clarity).

As to comments about audiophile designations, I am probably only a borderline audiophile based on my having mostly decades old equipment, 10 year old CD players (EAR Acute), analog gear (VPI TNT VI, Benz Ruby 3 other than a modded SME IV arm from 1989), 15 year old custom amps, preamp, phono stage, 23 year old speakers (Legacy Focus & Sig IIIs), 50 year old 2nd system with highly modded Dynaco ST70 and 18 year old highly modded CD player. The only changes I’ve made in the past 10 years are to the tweaks, Hallographs, Stillpoints, Fuses, Duplex Outlets, Wiring and a Bryston 20 amp isolation transformer. I’m more concerned with the music than the sound which is why I have 42,000 records and CDs. I spend more time listening to music than watching TV despite having a 75" 4K 1 year old Sony with all the software, channels and Android apps one could want.


grannyringGeorge, to answer your question;

That answered nothing, as I asked for fuse manufacturers links, who state the claims made that their fuses will improve the sound of your audio. 

I’ve seen you post links before, why do you not do them now? Is it that your just posting hearsay and not the words of the fuse manufacturer themselves?

Cheers George
... the More Than a Fuse dramatically increases the impedance from 0.2 ohms to 10 ohms at 10 MHz, thus increasing high frequency noise-rejection fifty fold over that of a conventional fuse.
Bill, as a point of information an 8 inch length of medium gauge wire will have an impedance of about 10 ohms at 10 MHz. And of course an AC mains fuse will be in series with far greater lengths of wire than that, taking into account the AC wiring in the component, in the power transformer, and in the power cord. Also, the power transformer itself can be expected to have far too little bandwidth to pass frequencies that high.

...And because the Platinum Reference “More Than a Fuse” also reduces ultra high frequency noise by up to 46 dB or more, a ratio 200 times that of a typical fuse...
46 db corresponds to a voltage ratio of 200 times, so this statement implies that a typical fuse provides zero noise rejection. I don’t doubt that :-) However, without a statement of what frequency the 46 db of noise rejection occurs at, and in what kind of circuit application, and without a basis upon which to determine if that unspecified frequency has any reasonable likelihood of having audible consequences in typical applications, the statement is meaningless. I would feel certain, however, that in the case of an AC mains fuse the associated AC wiring and especially the power transformer would provide far greater noise rejection than their fuse would.

The bottom line: While I take no position on the efficacy of their fuses, these statements are misleading techno-babble.

Regards,
-- Al
Aftermarket fuses are as old as Methuselah. What we have here is nothing more than an abject case of denial coupled with a giant case of the you know what.
George, to answer your question;

Here are just a couple of site quotes from fuse manufactures. Yes they obviously sell these, market these, based on delivering better sound. They don’t try to hide it and push better sound as the big benefit. This is not news?


This builder ( Audio Horizons) also puts the fuse in his amps and preamps touting better sound. No secret or hiding of what they feel is the big benefit. Fine sounding gear as an FYI. 

"What Makes the Platinum Reference “More Than a Fuse" So Fine?
Without betraying proprietary information, let me note that the More Than a Fuse dramatically increases the impedance from 0.2 ohms to 10 ohms at 10 MHz, thus increasing high frequency noise-rejection fifty fold over that of a conventional fuse. As a result of this increased noise rejection, one can hear delicate extended high frequencies formerly swallowed up in noise."

"And because the Platinum Reference “More Than a Fuse” also reduces ultra high frequency noise by up to 46 dB or more, a ratio 200 times that of a typical fuse, high frequency harmonic texture is heard against a dead quiet background with a level of detail and refinement so sweet, delicate, and with such presence and immediacy—well, it will make you smile."

" Synergistic Research RED Fuses feature proprietary alloy burn wires and end caps encased in anti-resonant ceramic bodies. RED fuses are then treated with 2,000,000 volts of electricity in a process we call Quantum Tunneling that alters the conductor at a molecular level for optimum performance. Unique to SR RED Fuses is a new treatment process applied exclusively to SR RED Fuses that realigns the crystal structure of both the burn wire and the end caps for a refinement in high frequency characteristics and improved timbre linearity. All told SR RED fuses significantly outperform every other high-end fuse on the market and are the only fuses guaranteed to deliver a significant increase in system performance or your money back. When compared to our award winning SR20 Quantum Fuses, SR RED Fuses sound more refined with smoother highs and more linear frequency extension from the deepest bass to the highest highs; no small feat given the remarkable "


"Synergistic Research Quantum Fuses employ a custom alloy treated with 2,000,000 volts of electricity! SR Quantum Fuses significantly outperform all other high-end fuses on the market and are guaranteed to deliver a noticeable increase in sound staging, resolution and air thanks to a lower noise floor and blacker backgrounds. SR Quantum Fuses are available with a 30-day no risk money back guarantee so you can directly compare them to other high-end fuses on the market including Hi Fi Tuning Supreme, Furutech, and Audio Magic. With over 60 values to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect value for your system’s components."




mapman
I’m a real audiophile. Vet me extremely and see.

I just Googled fake audiophile and there was a picture of Mapman.

😛
George, I appreciate that you can always be counted on to add a constructive and insightful tidbit too.  Thank you.

Dave
+1 Wolf and PTSS.

It's just a hand full of these shills that are conning the gullible to spend >$100 on a 50c mains fuse.
  
None of these shills have yet been able to post a link to the manufactures of these ($$) fuses, that states the "unbelievable voodoo improvements" that can be achieved that they say their getting. Let alone the directional ability they also say they have.

The gullible also have to ask themselves, why don't the top equipment manufactures use these $$ fuses if they're so good, and advertise they do for even better sound of their mega dollar audio equipment.

Then there's the technical proof, that can't be pointed to to say otherwise.    

Cheers George   
I get suspicious and a little anxious when people start trying to separate the "real audiophiles" from the "not-real (fake?) audiophiles."
What if I don’t make the cut? Will I need a new uniform? Will I be forced to start listening to my music on a portable player.....or Walkman? Yikes! Is there a "real audiophile" refresher course? Do "real audiophiles" need to meet an annual quota of PDHs to maintain eligibility? Can "real audiophiles" maintain their status by purchasing one tweak per year...per quarter...who has the rule book?
"I suspect that having thousands of happy customers, you know, real audiophiles, is more of a heavenly thing."

I can only assume that geoffkait is implying that snake oil is fine for thousands of happy "real audiophile" customers, and that is something I actually agree with. I even used his "copy whatever was said before your latest comment" technique…man…I'm turning into geoffkait…where are my bags of magic stones! NURSE!

Wolf,I'm with you about the Synergistic Red Fuse and Synergistic Quantum Black Fuse products. 
." This may be off topic, but I was just thinking about how hard it must be for the people who manufacture and sell actual snake oil."
I also think psychiatric help will one day be in order when their minds become clouded by their own web..." Oh, what a tangled web we weave..when first we practice to deceive." Walter Scott.
I have synergistic red fuse in my preamp, and I just ordered a audio magic shd beeswax fuse to replace it.  Hoping it will add further improvement to my sound
Mitch
This may be off topic, but I was just thinking about how hard it must be for the people who manufacture and sell actual snake oil.
Maybe they need a hug....or a gofundme page?

You guys apparently need a vacation. Or maybe a gofundyourself page?

😛

This may be off topic, but I was just thinking about how hard it must be for the people who manufacture and sell actual snake oil.
Maybe they need a hug....or a gofundme page?  
Wolf Man
This may be off topic, but I was just thinking about how hard it must be for the people who manufacture and sell actual snake oil.

I suspect that having thousands of happy customers, you know, real audiophiles, is more of a heavenly thing.

Have a nice hair day

This may be off topic, but I was just thinking about how hard it must be for the people who manufacture and sell actual snake oil. 
Wow your logic is impeccable! You need to work on your facts though.

Let me search for my audiophile membership card so I can turn it in.....

Geoffkait: It’s kind of pointless to argue further on the subject of SQ and Mercury LPs or CDs as there are perfectly good reasons why you hear things as you describe, it doesn’t mean what I said is wrong.

to which Mopman replied,

"There are tons of MLP release reviews out on the web. Hello? Its no secret these things typically sound great. Unlike funky fuses.

I know. I know. Still does not mean you are wrong. You're just a little different. Of course we all know that as well. Nothing wrong with that. Me too I suppose. Except I agree with the masses regarding sound quality of MLP."

All real audiophiles hear the difference in fuses. Since you can't hear the difference, and proudly so, that would make you a fake audiophile, no? 

It’s kind of pointless to argue further on the subject of SQ and Mercury LPs or CDs as there are perfectly good reasons why you hear things as you describe, it doesn’t mean what I said is wrong.

There are tons of MLP release reviews out on the web. Hello? Its no secret these things typically sound great. Unlike funky fuses.

I know. I know. Still does not mean you are wrong. You're just a little different. Of course we all know that as well. Nothing wrong with that.   Me too I suppose.   Except I agree with the masses regarding sound quality of MLP.
I love Ivan Moravec. Listening to the double album of Debussy & Chopin - Piano Works. Thanks guys for the music.
Fleschler

It’s kind of pointless to argue further on the subject of SQ and Mercury LPs or CDs as there are perfectly good reasons why you hear things as you describe, it doesn't mean what I said is wrong. I have said what I wanted to say. It can serve no further purpose to argue about this any more.

have a nice day

Hello Al,
Thanks for the follow up. I have the 2 CD set of "Chopin Nocturnes" by Ivan Moravec, simply beautiful music!

Tatiana Nikolayeva "Plays The Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas" I am attracted to her playing style , lighter touch but I sense much expression and emotion. This is a live performance in Russia.

Classical music is an interesting contrast from my beloved jazz music.
Charles
GK, I also have a quasi-high end analog set-up, a VPI TNT VI mod./SME IV mod./Benz Ruby 3, isolation platform/Audio Interface SUT and $15K custom phono stage.  About $30K+ and properly aligned.  I just counted 79 RFR and FR pressings.  I have heard all but 3.  Generally, they are excellent; however, vinyl noise is a factor on many of them and the bass is absolutely not better than the MLP CDs.  My speakers play down to 16 Hz with 3 12" drivers.  As to your mischaracterization of the CDs, I don't know what you are using to play them on and I have already stated my EAR Acute based system.  I do not hear reversed polarity at all.  I hear sound usually at the apex of all recorded sound for the period.  Tremendously enjoyable.  There were some miscues in remastering such as in the first cut of the HI-Fi a la Espagnola or the dry sound of the mono release which I can't remember.   The Starker CDs sound fantastic, equal to the LPs without surface noise.  As to differences in sound by the different sets, they all sound excellent, just a little different. 

On Capitol Kids Songs for Grown-Ups, I've heard 5 CDs, of which I own 3, Robert owns one and Tom Port of Better Records owns 1.  2 of my 3 copies are less dynamic and less focused sounding than the other 3 copies.  So, we listen to the best copies instead.  As I said before, the variability is present, just not as prominent as differences in LP pressings.
mac48025George,
I wish I knew how to post links, but I don’t.
Mac, what I simply asked was for a link to an Audiophile fuse manufacturer that states that their fuse will improve the sound of your system, not hearsay.

Cheers George