Charles, I agree with you wholeheartedly.
These are the things we learn from being in this hobby for a long time. And sometimes it still surprises us when something comes out of the blue that gives us a huge return on a relatively small investment. So it's important to be judicious of how we allocate our budget.
The Beeswax fuse upgrade is similar to going from an Entreq silver minimus to the top of line Olympus. This is a huge step up, but you have to spend 3-4x the money. |
"As a final thought ... If anyone is finding the SR RED fuses to be "sizzly" and "bright," I'd take a good look elsewhere in the system. Work on those micro vibrations ... then get the fuses. "
+1
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Of course, accurately reproduced music is the end we are all seeking from this hobby ... but finding those things that get us closer to the actual performance is a totally fun part of the hobby.
I equate we audiophiles to car guys and hot rodding where the means to the end shaves off a fraction of a second from a quarter mile time, or perhaps a slightly faster lap time for road racers. It may consist of something simple like new carburetor jets, or tweaking the timing. Or it could be something really expensive like a new camshaft with a slightly different dwell or higher compression pistons. The newly reduced time is ultimately important of course, but the additional "push-back" in the seat is the thrill.
And, in our case ... that "push-back thrill" is why we continue our pursuit of better, more revealing equipment. And tweaks that may sound crazy at the outset (like fuses), that make a significant improvement in one's sound system are an absolute necessity to the hobby. Otherwise what? Grow stale? Lose interest?
What I don't understand are those who haven't experimented over the years with various tweaks, and yet, they poo-poo something really significant like the fuse upgrades WITHOUT EVER HEARING THE RESULTS FOR THEMSELVES. Go figure.
One final thought on tweaks: Those of us who like to experiment with this stuff are fully aware that some tweaks, especially dampening, can be carried too far. In such cases, the sound is compromised by a "dullness" or "compression." So .. that's when the tweak is cast off as not worthwhile. I've had that experience many times, but one that really stands out was my experiments with MU-Metal placed around motors and transformers. A little goes a long way. Slightly too much and it sucks. Get it just right and the noise floor is lowered noticeably.
All I can say is ... Thank you Synergetic Research for your R&D and the excellent product these fuses are.
Happy listening ... |
Mu metal around transformers rocks! Wrapping transformers twice rocks even more. |
^^^ Yep, but wrapping it around all of your transformers five times isn't so cool. But ya never know 'till ya trys it. *lol* |
OK, let me try again. Wrapping a transformer once absorbs 75% of the magnetic field. Wrapping it twice absorbs 96% of the magnetic field.
cheerios |
My ARC amp takes a 7 amp slow-blo and I see Synergistic only makes an 8 amp. I am going to talk to my technician and see if he thinks that is ok. He has repaired ARC gear for the past 30 years so I have complete confidence in him.
Taters, Since SR RED doesn't offer a 7 amp Slo-Blo, I bought 2 Isoclean for my ARC REF 250. It's only $49 each from theCableCo so right down your alley, CHEAP! Also got free shipping with no haggling automatic discount. Again, right down your alley. CHEAP! I use SR RED in all my components and rolling Isoclean in REF250 so far offers the most improvement over stock. Simply AMAZING! This is my 1st experience with Isoclean but a local friend use full loom in his SOTA system. Just his PCs cost 1.5x more than my whole system. |
I recently received my SR Red fuses and have some early listening impressions. I began with a fuse placed only in the Line Stage and will reverse fuse direction in a few days to see if there's a difference. Next I'll do the SET amplifier and lastly the DAC.
I listened to very familiar recordings to get a feel, Kenny Burrell "At The Village Vanguard"
Thelonious Monk, "Monk' Dream" Nicholas Payton , "Fingerpainting" Gerry Mulligan, "Night Lights". These recordings (and others) just seem to get to the merits of a particular component effectively. The SR Red debut is impressive, brand new they are undeniably musical and natural with really good music flow and pace. The foot immediately begins tapping and the head instinctively bobs with the rhythm, always a good sign.
Can't agree with those who found this fuse imparts sizzle or thinness, at least it didn't in my system. Tonal density and natural fullness are very present. Most of all early on is that the music just flows and pulls you right along, it definitely has emotional connectivity.
This is a very good start! Curious to see where this goes when the other fuses are added and more hours of use accumulate.
Charles, |
Correction,
The Kenny Burrell recording I'd mentioned is actually titled "A Night At The Vanguard" a very good live session from the early 1960s. I should have checked the CD cover before posting.
In just a few hours the sound is improving, Jim Hall and Art Farmer are sounding gorgeous. I feel as though I'm there with them. What a joy listening to music is.
Charles, |
Be careful Charles 1dad you could hurt yourself moving that much. And those things they call bobble head dolls are real people that just can't quit bobbing their head. People think its cute so they put you on a desk or shelf or something. You never know where you'll end up.
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Okay, based on prior experience with premium fuses I am well aware of what they are capable of. One SR Red fuse in just my Line Stage and I'm near amazed by what I'm hearing tonight. This is quite a find. The degree of improvement from my current SR 20 Quantum fuse is unexpected. Folks this Red fuse is something special and I say that without a trace of hyperbole, my goodness! What on earth will be the result when I add the 3 remaining Reds?
I'll without any hesitation enthusiastically recommend these fuses to anyone seriously interested in increasing their music listening pleasure and sound quality for an utterly reasonable cost.
Oregon papa told it like it is and I'm very grateful he started this thread. What a wonderful find these special fuses are. I can't turn the system off. For less than 100.00 USD you'll get a legitimate unquestionable upgrade to your system. I've heard far more expensive cables and components do less. High quality tweaks are the way to go if you have components you really enjoy and want to keep them long term.
My Avatar Acoustics Afterburner AC outlet was delivered today, uh oh
Charles, |
Charles ...
I'm up to three components where I've replaced the stock fuses for the SR Red fuses. Friends who have heard the system, and know it well, continue calling to tell me that they cannot believe how realistic the sound is now. Two more fuses to go ... and they both go into the CD player.
By the way, they take about three listening sessions before they're broken in. The sound really opens up then. |
Thankyou Charles1dad for the follow-up, please keep me posted, if the red's work for you after full break in, then I will jump on the band wagon, the first place I will put them will be in the modified krell 700cx, BTW, will be very expensive!
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Hi Oregonpapa,
Your listening reports nailed it! I had expectations for these fuses but this honestly caught me off guard. I believe you regarding additional burn in, as they clearly improved over a 5 hour listening session last night.
Audiolabyrinth,
If the results in your system with these Red fuses approaches the effects I am hearing, the cost for you will be a true bargain. I don't know how much system or component synergy factors in.
Charles, |
The information is priceless... Thanks for the postings and updates.
Charles1dad, I anxiously await to hear the reports regarding the addition of Reds in other equipment :-)
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Hi Charles, I have to have 4 large fast blowing fuses, not sure what the spec value is? , hard to read the writing on the fuses, mmm, maybe Almarg or someone can tell me, would the cost of these fuses for me be $400.00? |
My components use the smaller size fuses which are 90 dollars, the larger fuses you require are 100 dollars. IMO to get the improvement I've realized, 400 dollars is a genuine bargain..
Charles, |
Lak,
If the mprovement of 3 additional Red fuses is proportional to the single fuse, well this is going to be a phenomenal ROI. Factor in also I'll be replacing my generic AC wall outlet with the highly regarded Afterburnner. Since I need only 1 duplex outlet I'm going to use a premium level receptacle cover for it, the Furutech 104D and really upgrade that aspect finally. I'm very curious and excited to see where these modest expenditure tweaks take my system.
Charles, |
Charles1dad, I have the furutech gtx-rhodium outlet's, 2 of them, and the wall frames, however, as good as they are, Chris at vh audio emailed me about the new flagship furutech gtx-rhodium NCF outlet's, the new NCF only comes with the Rhodium version's for the outlet's, go to vh-audio and check it out Charles, BTW, I also knew about the sr-red's when they first come out, but I didn't know enough about the sound to pull the trigger, I trust your ears, so likely it's a done deal on the fuses, but I will tell you Charles, I've tested a lot of outlet's, not the afterburner 8 you have, and far and away the furutech gtx-rhodium is the best for my system, lol, now I'm going to upgrade to the new nanotechnology crystal formula furutech gtx-rhodium! |
Audiolabyrinth,
I actually gave serious consideration to purchasing the Furutech GTX outlet, a audiogon member posted he had both the GTX and the Afterburnner8. He says they're both excellent sounding but in direct comparison he couldn't tell then apart at all. So I just decided to choose the less expensive Afterburnner 8 given his helpful feedback. He said both are terrific and I trust his judgement. I'm certain both are far superior to my builder's grade quality AC outlet.
Charles, |
On the expense of the fuses ...
Early on, before I bought the ARC REF-75/SE, I owned the "regular" REF-75. I changed out the KT-120's for the KT-150's and the improvement is well documented here on the forums by myself and others who did the swap. Four KT-150's = $400.00. So, for those who remember how significant that improvement was ... the SR RED fuses are even a bigger improvement. Just putting things into perspective. |
I swallowed the koolaid. I guess nobody has passed away yet. I ordered 2 SR reds. I e-mailed Synergestic Research about which of my components they would recommend starting with. They recommended starting with my cd transport and my amp.
I will see how these reds turn out first and probably change out my dac with maybe a audio magic or audio horizons fuse. I would like to try these others sometime also. I really like most everything Jerry at Audio Magic does. I was thinking. If us 'not EE' guys are really improving a weaker link in our systems why didn't the 'pro's-don't do this at home' guys get to it before us shclupies? Anyway oreganpapa, I am waiting for my candy cane tomorrow. Has anybody noticed if having any spares kicks your system up a little? If so where do you store them for the best sound. So many things to think about. If you do anything else for, or with your fuses, let us all know, don't be shy now, you won't hear us laughing. |
^^^ Don't know what you mean by "spares" marqmike.
Don't laugh ... I just ordered 3 WA Quantum Chips to put on the three fuses I'm using now. If they do as advertised, I will no longer leave home.
Will the supermarkets deliver to audiophiles? |
Oregonpapa,
Since SR doesn't offer a 7 amp slow blow in red should I go with the Audio Horizon or Audio Magic fuse instead?
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I am not laughing. Eh eh eh eh Ha ha ha ha. oreganpapa I was just kidding about spares, unless..... . Some are using the quantum chip. That does sound like a ....., well interesting. I seriously will be interested to hear how that does for you. I think amazon has drones delivering. I don't think the drones would mind bringing you your groceries and other needs, Lp's, scotch, ect. |
I've also got an ESS rack and love it.
Every time I add more stillpoints to the system it gets better.
I want another 4 aperture panels. |
Taters ...
I haven't a clue. Haven't heard them.
marqmike ...
I should have the fuse chips tomorrow ... or perhaps Saturday.
Merry Christmas to all who post here on Audiogon. |
Charles1dad, I have the furutech gtx-rhodium outlet's, 2 of them, and the wall frames, however, as good as they are, Chris at vh audio emailed me about the new flagship furutech gtx-rhodium NCF outlet's, the new NCF only comes with the Rhodium version's for the outlet's, go to vh-audio and check it out Charles, BTW, I also knew about the sr-red's when they first come out, but I didn't know enough about the sound to pull the trigger, I trust your ears, so likely it's a done deal on the fuses, but I will tell you Charles, I've tested a lot of outlet's, not the afterburner 8 you have, and far and away the furutech gtx-rhodium is the best for my system, lol, now I'm going to upgrade to the new nanotechnology crystal formula furutech gtx-rhodium!
I'm using 2 Furutech GTX-Rhodium outlets. It's superior to Maestro outlets it replaced. Price differences between outlets are RELATIVITY small so not a big factor in ultimate purchasing decision. |
Hi knghifi, furutech just introduced a new top outlet, download the pdf file from Chris at vh-audio, kinda cool, take a peek and tell me your impressions, the ncf gtx- rhodium, merry Christmas. |
One aspect of the Afterburner 8 AC outlet that attracts me is the plugs are copper and unplatted. In the overall scheme of things probably not a major point but I like the simpler and natural approach when viable.
I don't doubt for a moment the quality of the Furutech GTX product.
Charles, |
Hi knghifi, furutech just introduced a new top outlet, download the pdf file from Chris at vh-audio, kinda cool, take a peek and tell me your impressions, the ncf gtx- rhodium, merry Christmas.
Audiolabyrinth, I only installed the Furutech GTX-Rhodium outlets last summer on my two 20 Amp dedicate lines so don't want to replace them so soon. Thanks for heads up and will check them out next time feel the urge for a change. Merry Christmas! |
Knghifi, I got my furutech gtx-rhodium outlet's last Christmas 2014, I'm happy with what I have, but interested in wanting to know the sound called improvement, I should be able to audition a ncf gtx-rhodium when I'm ready too, Chris sent me the gold and rhodium version's to try last time, I bought 1 gtx-rhodium from my friend Steven Klein of sound of silence, and the other gtx-rhodium from Chris vanhause of vh-audio, Steven is audiogon member sksos1, both were new, both gentleman are great to do business with, merry Christmas to you as well. |
Fliz, yes the ESS rack is very good.
Interestingly, the designer of the Beeswax fuse uses techniques to keep the fuse from vibrating.
I can tell you that the leap in resolution and ease is very similar to what you get with the ESS rack. Yes, from a fuse.
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It's amazing how a fuse can make such a dramatic improvement, but it does... |
Charles1dad,
What size fuse are you using in your Frank's? Israel told me 2.3 amp 250v slow blow for the Coincident Dynamo. I can't locate SR 2.3, only 2.5???
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Glad to hear positive feedback on the red fuses. I have some of the older synergistic fuses but preferred the hifi tuning mundorf fuses so I'm going to give the new one's a try...if you want to hear something that will really impress you try the synergistic research etc's. I've tried them in both my dac and phono amp and I was shocked by the sonic improvements. |
Yes the Synergistic Research ECT (Electronic Circuit Transducer) are very effective on pre amps, amps, and front end devices such as DAC's and CD players. My SACD player and amp each have 7 of these small cylinders on them. The nice thing is they are easily removed when it is time to upgrade a device and then use on the next piece of equipment.
In order of upgrade I would do A/C wall receptacle, then main power fuse of each piece of equipment, then ECT, and finally secondary fuses. |
Hi Rob,
The Coincident Frankenstein and Line Stage both use 3 amp slo blo. The closest SR Red is 3.1 amps, so no problems. You'll be okay with your near match as well.
Charles, |
I've now placed the Reds into my SET mono blocks and the effect is clearly noticeable though not quite as dramatic as the Line Stage(at least so far). Definitely worthwhile. I will do the DAC in a couple of days, then install the Afterburner 8 AC wall outlet next week. I agree with Wig, these fuse improvements are really something else.
Charles, |
Charles1dad, thankyou for the up date, I enjoy what you have to say here, congratulations, however, I'm not sure about your after burner 8 outlet, but my furutech gtx-rhodium outlet's took all of 300 hrs to burn in, cheers |
charles 1dad:
I hope you will consider installing your outlet outside of your music system circuit and run current through it for a week. Then put it in the audio circuit. |
Running a high end receptacle on a refrigerator or deep freezer is always a good idea, these types of appliances cycle electricity up and down, I recommend 300 hrs, 24-7. |
David,
Lak has offered to burn in my Afterburner 8 outlet for a week on his Audio karma Cooker and I accepted his gracious offer.I'll ship it to him on Monday.
Charles, |
Audiolabyrinth,
I know that the Furutech GTX requires extensive burn in hours.
To the best of my knowledge I don't believe the Afterburner 8 needs nearly as much time. One week should be plenty of adequate burn in. This is an unplatted outlet, that is a factor I suspect.
Charles, |
Charles1dad,
Thanks Charles! Have a Happy New Year. Not to sidetrack this thread, but I will be purchasing the upgrade to the Coincident Dynamo to Mark II in about 3 weeks if released on schedule. Best, Rob
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Chareles1dad,
Good luck with Afterburner 8 (love that name). Next week I will be installing the Oyaide R1 and their matching wall plate. Sincerely looking forward to this change. Rob
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I'm using the Oyaide wall sockets. Very nice.
Now back to the fuses. :>)
Come to think of it, I should have three of the SR fuse dots coming in the mail today. I'll report the results as soon as I hear it. Other reviews say they should make another significant improvement.
It never ends ... |
Hi Rob,
Happy New Year to you as well.
I've also decided to go with the Oyaide WPC-Z outlet cover with the Afterburner 8. I'll use the Furutech cover elsewhere. I believe putting some high quality parts at the AC wall receptacle will payoff for the money spent. The WPC is said to be top tier, we'll see. These types of accessories if done right the first time, usually no need to revisit again.
Charles, |
I am glad the Afterburner is getting conditioned on an Audiodharma conditioner. I do think it is the best approach. I think a week will do it as there is not the Rhodium plating. It might sound a bit bleached or dry when first installed but will be settled in at the end of a week. I like the Oyaide frame and outlet cover. Remember to use the Afterburner cover plate screw and not any supplied by Oyaide. Might be US versus metric. |
Oregonpapa,
Did the fuse chips arrive yet? |
