Oregonpapa,
These new Black fuses could be as good as advertised given the performance gap of the SR 20 to their Red fuse improvement. The Black could possibly be a fantastic value in the overall scheme of things.
To put it in perspective, still far less expensive than changing the components
Charles, |
I'm going to order the SR Black fuses for my system (4 total ).
I've had success with their fuses so I may as well get their best ànd see if the improvements continue. My components aren't going anywhere so I'll just continue to fine tune them with worthwhile tweak products.
Charles, |
What is the difference in price Charles from the red to the black?
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^^^ Oh yes, I totally agree Charles.
I'm in total amazement at how good my system sounds, credit due to the five RED fuses in the system. I was thinking last night that if I could never make another improvement, I'd be satisfied with the way it is now. It's not like listening to a stereo system anymore. It's like an Imax presentation of the music in all of it's glory. Simply gorgeous. |
Good news guys ...
I just heard from Betty at high end electronics. They are going to honor the 30 return policy and give me credit for the two latest RED fuses I bought toward the new BLACK fuses. They should be getting their inventory next week sometime and we will make the swap then.
Great folks to deal with at high end electronics ... highly recommended.
Stay tuned ... |
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Oregonpapa,
I hear you my friend!
It's really quite impressive what the Reds can do in a system.
If the Black fuses are only a subtle improvement that's still a feat given the quality yardstick standard set by the Reds.
Jeff the small fuse is 119 and the large fuse is 129.
Charles, |
The CD player, taking two fuses, was the biggest improvement so far. It is so good that I will NEVER, EVER get rid of this CD Player. Put it in my casket and lower it down with me boys, lower it down with me.
Hey oregonpapa, do you think Harry Pearson would say in 2016 "if you really wanted to enjoy digital, stop listening to your records" after hearing your CD player with SR RED? LOL!!! I've decided to keep my recently purchased SR RED and just buy 5 BLACK later. I need to enjoy my system and stop the madness for a while. |
This is anything but madness for me on the contrary. These quality tweaks simply increase the music listening enjoyment. I was listening to a live recording of Thelonious Monk circa 1962. The emotion and musical communication between him and drummer Ben Riley was so real and engaging. I really felt like I was there with them. Pure realism . How does a fuse contribute to that? If the Black fuses further enhance this deep musical connection, bring them on . ☺ |
I've been making massive changes to my system not just rolling fuses. So madness is getting off the bus for a breather. |
I'm really enjoying this thread a lot.
At this point, and I hate to say it, never thought I'd ever say it ... but the CD playback is really challenging my analog rig ... and that's saying something. When I said that the sound I'm getting from digital now is like listening to an I-Max playback of music, it was no exaggeration.
King ...
I remember that HP quote as well, and I totally agreed with him until these RED fuses in the CD player broke in. I'd challenge any digi-phobe to come over for a listen and tell me they still don't like digital. Triple layers of Adult Diapers are required before the listening session begin though.
Charles ...
Totally agree with you. These fuses are the most bang for the buck of any tweak I've ever done. A person could spend thousands on new cables, or .on an equipment upgrade and not accomplish what these fuses accomplish.
Did the folks at SR sell their souls???
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I was wondering if anyone noticed when their fuses mostly quit forming/breaking in. I have had mine playing music for about 50 hrs and my system stays on 24/7 on weekends. It seems like it is still getting better. I got two 'reds' and now want to get one for my dac. I guess I will get the black because the 'reds' work so well. I was thinking of audio horizons or audio magic, but probably not now. I will keep my 'reds' and not trade them in on the blacks. I probably could, I got them 3 wks ago from high end electronics. I am more than extremely happy with them. Got to be content sometime right? |
Knghifi,
I understand your point, "massive" changes explains all. I've no plans for component changes in the foreseeable future. So in my case these relatively low cost but very effective tweaks are ideal for me. I'm an admitted jazz aficionado and these fuses are surely increasing the listening joy òf my music library.
Charles, |
Oregonpapa,
I was an analog dieheart for many years. When I added the Japanese Yamamoto DAC 5 years ago it was a turning point for me. It in combination with my SET amplifier based system demonstrated how terrific and natural Red Book CD could be. I still certainly enjoy a good turntable set-up but I don't miss having one now at all. I learned that the limiting factor for Red Book is the hardware rather than the medium/format.
Charles, |
^^^ Charles ...
I have to agree with you on the redbook CD's. My digital sounded very good before the fuse changes, but honestly, I had no idea what these little silver discs were capable of.
I understand from a very reliable source that the ARC CD-6 is very analog like in its presentation. Perhaps the best ARC offers in this respect in a single box CD player. Even with that input, I'm keeping my ARC CD-7se. It's just too good to get rid of.
Here I am sitting on a multi-thousand album record collection that's taken me over 50 years to accumulate. I have no intention of getting out of analog at this point. The only place where the digital is better (in my system) at this point is the lack of surface noise. The fuse change in the CD player has pretty much eliminated the digital edge and the flat presentation that bothered me so much before in comparison with analog. So now ... its the best of both worlds, or at least close to it.
Digital is now very musical, natural, organic and three dimensional. It throws off a wall to wall soundstage with uncanny front to back depth; and layering. A real "you are there" presentation. And its not just with the best discs. Almost every disc I throw on is a revelation,. The best discs in my CD collection are just simply magic.
What's really cool is that I have attended many hifi shows over the years, and I can say at this point that very few demos at those shows, in spite of much higher prices, tons higher, are better than what I have right here in my living room. Most don't even come close.
Life is good ... |
Took the plunge and ordered two SR Blacks, one each for the power supply boxes for the pre and CDP, respectively. Like Charles my components are staying put for the long haul, so what the hell, why not... |
^^^ You are in for a shock. A shock, I tells ya. :>) |
Wow!, I'm happy I didn't get the red's yet, mmmm, I believe I will get the black's, synergistic has been spot on with their claims of performance, so, I believe that this new fuse has to be somewhat better, glad I've kept up with this enjoyable thread. |
OMG!
Will the flavors ever end?
I'm not doubting improvement, but I've noticed the company is constantly improving or coming up with something new for us to spend our money on...LOL! |
p59teitel, where were you able to order the blacks from already? |
Geared4me,
The Cable Company is taking orders now for their initial shipment of this new product. Expected delivery is 10 to 14 days.
Keith,
You're correct, so far the SR fuses at each level have lived up to the hype and continue to improve.
Oregonpapa,
I agree, life is good, and I never take that for granted.
Charles, |
Oregonpapa ,
We seem to have very similar taste in music.
Given the size of your music collection you may already own it but I will suggest it anyway.
The Thelonious Monk recording I'd mentioned yesterday is "Live At The Jazz Workshop". I think you'd really like it if you enjoy Monk. Another one from him is "Live At The It Cclub" Both are stereo recordings from the early 1960s. The energy and soul are palpable.
Charles, |
Oregonpapa:
I am glad the audio grade fuses have made such a dramatic impact on your your system.
Synergistic Research has not been "selling their souls" to develop these products .Instead they spend a great deal of time with multiple prototypes and multi person listening sessions to get the sonic signature they want. It basically is a product of advanced thinking combined with hard work .
We are the beneficiaries of this process of product development.
knghifi:
I applaud you for taking a break from system evaluation listening.
geared 4 me:
I have ordered Synergistic Research products from the following with excellent results.
High End Electronics- Alfred and Betty Kainz, Apple Valley, Ca.
Scott Walker Audio, Anaheim, Ca.
David Weinhart Designs, Los Angeles, Ca.
The Cable Company, New Hope, Pen.
All of the above companies have given me excellent service when ordering Synergistic Research products. All have been excellent observing Synergistic Research's return policy!
I look forward to reading about the changes the "Black" fuses make.
In the three systems I am responsible for maintaining and optimizing, two use "RED" fuses and one uses the original Synergistic Research 20 fuses.
David Pritchard
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David ...
The fact that SR continues to improve their products is a reflection of the competitive nature of a capitalistic system wherein improvement is necessary or a competitor will create that improvement and out of business you go. Who benefits? Well, the business that provides the most benefit for the end consumer ... and the end consumer/user. That's us. After all, money is nothing more than a scoreboard reflection on one's service to others. Its the old adage: Help enough people get what THEY want, and you will get what YOU want in return. So, let's hope that the good folks at SR makes a TON of profits off of their products and continues to lead the field with these wonderful, effective fuses. Bring on the Black ones. And then perhaps the Purple ones after that.
Charles ...
I first got into jazz as a teenager though listening to Rhythm & Blues. This was before the guitar replaced the saxophone as the usual lead instrument as it did with the "White" music of Elvis, the Beatles, etc. So, it was just a natural progression from the saxophones of Earl Bostic, Joe Houston and Big Jay McNeely ... right into Chu Berry, Ben Webster, Lester Young ... and then into Paul Desmond, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane and more.
When I first heard Monk, my reaction was very similar to that of Louis Armstrong when he first heard Charlie Parker and Diz playing BeBop ... "I hate it ... it sounds like Chinese music!" *lol*
I couldn't stand Monk with his discordant poundings on the ivory. But then ... but THEN ... as I started listening more critically to his playing I began to understand what he was trying to do. As time progressed, I came to realize just how great of a genius he truly was. At this point, I have a lot of Monk's music, both solo and with groups. I don't however have those two recordings you mentioned. I'll check them out. Thanks.
Another genius of the piano ... Bud Powell. I love his music too. A true master of the bebop piano style. |
Oregonpapa,
I share your economic perspective, I'll happily spend my money on products that deliver what I seek if their value is what I would deem reasonable. The beauty of choice in a competitive and free market.
When I first got into jazz Oscar Peterson was my go to pianist. I still certainly respect his immense talent. Over time and with more exposure and inevitable evolution, my taste and appreciation expanded . Monk is just my guy when it comes to jazz pianists. Not only is he a tremendous musician but has composed so much beautiful music, many which became jazz standards.
Given what you have written I'm sure you'll love the two Thelonious Monk live jazz venue recordings I recommended.
Charles, |
Bud Powell? Oh yes! I could discuss these guys for hours with you. Don't get me started on jazz trumpeters☺☺. Ok, enough topic diversion, I'll shut up.
Charles, |
The Cable Company is where I ordered the SR Blacks. |
Thanks for the info everyone! |
Gentlemen,
No doubt I'll be ordering some SR fuses.
I'm going to wait until some of you report back here, on this forum, based upon your experience with the SR Black. If some of you say it's the extra, I'll spring for the Black instead of the Red.
Thank you all... |
Charles,
it would be an honor for me, likely many others on Agon to hear your thoughts on the Jazz greats. I know I pay attention when give your thoughts on anything audio...Best, Rob
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Hi Rob,
Thanks for such kind comments. I love discussing the wonderful jazz musicians nearly as much as I do listening to them. I just realized that I was going to far off topic here. I have no doubt that Oregonpapa can offer equal if not more insightful jazz commentary given what I've read from him on numerous threads.
Charles, |
Too far I meant, not "to far". Site wouldn't allow me to edit mistake.
Charles, |
Now with more hours on SR RED, it's definitely superior to Isoclean in the REF250. It's more transparent, high resolution, smoother ... system never sounded better.
It's inexpensive so will order 5 SR BLACK next time ordering from theCableCo and might include some Furutech NCF outlets. Early report is superior to GTX-D R ... but we all knew that, right? LOL!!! |
Knghifi, I don't blame you for taking the plunge. Knowing how good the Red fuses are, why resist the very probable further improvement with the Black fuses? If my sound becomes any more realistic, the next time I play Carmen McRae I'm going to invite her to stick around for dinner when she's done singing LOL!
Charles, |
Knghifi. Did you place 6.3a 250v fuses in the ref 250 as per Warren Gehl? |
Hi knghifi, as you know, I own the furutech gtx-rhodium outlet's, please keep me informed here of your impressions of the new furutech NCF gtx-rhodium outlet's. |
Knghifi, I don't blame you for taking the plunge. Knowing how good the Red fuses are, why resist the very probable further improvement with the Black fuses? If my sound becomes any more realistic, the next time I play Carmen McRae I'm going to invite her to stick around for dinner when she's done singing LOL!
Charles,
Shipping pre to VAC for SE upgrade in March so will get fuses after it returns and breaks in.
Knghifi. Did you place 6.3a 250v fuses in the ref 250 as per Warren Gehl?
Yes. According to user manual, each mono can draw up to 10 Amp so 7 Amp can draw above rating for x amount of time before blowing. Amps is on a dedicated 20 amp line. Not going to work if fast blo ... I think best chance for 6.3 amp to blow if a short from output tube blowing. No big deal ... just replace the fuse. |
Knghifi, I’ve got some very positive feedback from my friend sksos1, Steven, on the new NCF furutech connectors, he is very impressed, Steven said that the wpo’s have not started shipping from Japan yet, when they do knghifi, I’m buying them from Steven, his company is called, sound of silence, yes, the very same maker of vibraplane air isolation platform’s for audio. |
I ordered a BLACK from The Cable Company. Should have it in less than two weeks. This will go into a Modwright Oppo 9.0 power supply. I don't plan to replace the RED in my amp. Will post my thoughts on the BLACK whenever it gets here.
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Knighifi: You won't regret the VAC upgrade to SE but mine took maybe 200 hours of break-in but worth it in the long run. I have ordered the AM beeswax for the VAC to compare to the SR RED in it now. The front end should tell some story on the backend with flavor to balance the system without going nuts with everything. These fuses are bargain flavor balancers and SR sure has changers a plenty. OMG what next? gwalt |
Hi Gwalt,
Have you used any premium fuses in your Border Patrol amplifiers?
Charles , |
Hi Charles: I only have tried HIFI Supremes so far over stock in the Border Patrol. A nice change for sure but I think the SR, AM, AH will beat them out when I get around to trying. The reason I picked the VAC to try some out is because I can hear the flavor change down the line with just one fuse and decide. The RED in the VAC was quieter and more extended (especially bass) over the Supreme. I am now trying the beeswax in the VAC for the RED. BTW I only paid $20 more for the beeswax than the SR Black. I am just trying one at a time to get the balance and since the VAC feeds everything thought it was the place to start. Jerry at AM thought this is the only way to go. I really don't know what I am wanting until some magic appears in my own room but it will be interesting to watch the results on this forum. gwalt |
I talked with Kevin last month about upgrading to SE not so sure I have budget for it this year.
I can afford the fuse. |
Gwalt:
Your approach is certainly the best, but it takes time and effort.
The Synergistic Research slow blow fuses are shipping as of today..
I very much look forward to gwalt's observations with the Audio Magic and RED fuses, and also to my reactions comparing these new BLACK fuses to the REDS and the original SR20 fuses.
David Pritchard
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Gwalt, What was the turn around time at Vac for SE upgrade? Brent quoted me 2 weeks. BTW, according to Kevin, correct direction installing the fuse in SigMKIIa is looking at the back of the unit putting the fuse into the holder, the arrow should point left-to right. I tried AM initial fuse offering and found mid elevated in SigMKIIa. I much prefer SR RED.
mid40sguy68 posts01-18-2016 8:38pmI ordered a BLACK from The Cable Company. Should have it in less than two weeks. This will go into a Modwright Oppo 9.0 power supply. I don't plan to replace the RED in my amp. Will post my thoughts on the BLACK whenever it gets here.
.
I get all my fuses from theCableCo... The correct direction installing the fuse in PS 9.0 is rear to front according to Dan. I always ask designers for correct installation direction.
audiolabyrinth3,729 posts01-18-2016 7:39pmKnghifi, I’ve got some very positive feedback from my friend sksos1, Steven, on the new NCF furutech connectors, he is very impressed, Steven said that the wpo’s have not started shipping from Japan yet, when they do knghifi, I’m buying them from Steven, his company is called, sound of silence, yes, the very same maker of vibraplane air isolation platform’s for audio.
I know Steve ... Sound of Silence is ~35 minutes from my home. |
Synergistic Research RED fuses started shipping yesterday for slow blow types, and fast blow types start shipping in one week.
David Pritchard |
knghifi: I had a current mark ll and it only took 10 days from receipt at the factory to get it back here in Ne. I will experiment with the beeswax fuse and report making sure it has adequate break in which I heard was long.....30 days. At first I hear it sounds Ok but shines after 30 days. gwalt |
Two SR BLACK fuses are in the mail and will go into the CD player. They should be here tomorrow (Thursday), or Friday. Stay tuned ... |
Two SR BLACK fuses are in the mail and will go into the CD player. They should be here tomorrow (Thursday), or Friday. Stay tuned ...
Frank, are you using audiophile grade outlets? If not, that should be your next upgrade IMHO. |
Kevin said they would be fairly busy until March. If I sent my Sigma the first week of March it would be less than two weeks turn around. |
