Hialeah? Isn't that a track for race horses??
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?
Any comments from anyone else who has tried these fuses?
4,839 responses Add your response
^^^^ tzh21y ... Yeah, there you go. And here's something else you may have noticed: Things sound a little rolled off or less bright than before ... except its really not "rolled off," or "less bright," its just more relaxed, akin to live music in the flesh. And ... you are getting more inner detail too. Do you find this to be true? mapman ... I have to admit, I used up almost the entire 30 day trial period on your skewed sense of humor (wolf-garcia's too) before I realized that we are simpatico. Must be the way our brains are fused ... err, I mean wired. |
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Personally, guys like "mapman" and "wolf-garcia" crack me up with some of their posts.
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I agree and would add georgelofi as well. But others, like barking dogs, add nothing to the conversation but an overwhelming sense of their self-importance and self-involvement. Like unwanted visitors, I think it best to ignore them and maybe they will go away. |
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Davidpritchard, Im also looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new ac outlets.. I use the gtx d rhodium, with the matching plates, and covers. I’ve also used silver wattgates, and the teslaplex’ which reside in my power conditioner. The gtx d r are the ones to beat. Wonder what you’ll find after 400 hours with these new offerings. |
^^^ Personally, I believe that very few harsh words were posted in t his thread. Here's what I think ... Because we use a keyboard to "talk," and because we can't see each other through the computer monitor, we cannot see facial expressions or hand gestures. In other words, we cannot always decipher the true intent of the person we are responding to. So much of what I read in this thread I see a humor being the intent. Some folks, myself included, tend to have a dry, sarcastic sense of humor ... and at times, especially if you can't see a smile on the other side of the screen, we take the comments as a put-down or even verbal abuse. That's why I try to included one of these :-) when I'm joking. Personally, guys like "mapman" and "wolf-garcia" crack me up with some of their posts. Happy listening .. .and happy fuses, guys. :-) |
Despite the likely hypocrisy of my post, I’d just like to remind everyone, please do not feed the trolls. As you all are aware, some post primarily to derogate others and responding to them only amplifies the situation. Thanks to the 99% for a good, informative thread with quality input from both sides of the fuse debate. - Chris |
Tzh21y. Your experience sounds like mine, albeit with the Reds in my DAC. Definitely there was a change in sound, and I did not like it (a bit harder, thinner, and less musical). I went back and forth with the stock fuses a number of times and am fairly convinced I'd win a blinded test. I did like the SR Red fuses in my amps, however. Only went back to the stocks once because it was a pretty clear preference. I bought mine used, so now I just have an extra pair sitting around, but it sounds like you should send yours back. - Chris |
jetter104 posts05-04-2016 11:16amI believe knghifi has pinpointed a philosophical difference above that has lead to much of the discussions, back in forth, about the use of the fuses. Wrong in all counts!!! ... and reason stuck in a circular argument. How does not liking the changes implies something is "wrong" with the system? If you replace high power SS with low power SET amp to drive Apogee Full Range. Is it something wrong with the system or don't like the change? Also why can't a system sound right to start with and one just want to improve it? |
I believe knghifi has pinpointed a philosophical difference above that has lead to much of the discussions, back in forth, about the use of the fuses. "Still no good, either don't like the changes or fuse identify a flaw in the system." This implies that not liking the sound change a fuse imparts, or not hearing a change in the system, is because something is "wrong" with the system. On the other hand, others might think that if your system needs a new fuse, any fuse, any price, to make it sound better, then that system is not sounding right to start with. |
tzh21y640 posts05-04-2016 9:56amYes, I added the days oregonpapa had them in his system until he was really startingbto enjoy them. Looks like almost 200 hours actually.I've been rolling fuses since HiFi-Tuning Gold and SQ is usually very good after 10 hours. If it doesn't sound good after ~25 hours, change direction. Still no good, either don't like the changes or fuse identify a flaw in the system. |
Geoffkait: " That’s precisely why I have taken the steps to eliminate fuses from my system, actually to also eliminate and bypass the house AC entirely, as well as eliminate power cords, electrical ground, wall outlets, interconnects, transformers, large capacitors, crossover networks, room interactions, things of that nature." To which aolmrd1241 responded, "geoff. How do you eliminate all those things short of having an acoustical band/group playing for you...in your home, at your own whim? Please enlighten us." Let me turn the question around and ask you, how do you think I eliminate all those things? There is only one system I can think of that makes that possible. geoff kait machina dramatica |
Tzh21y, I believe that it is component dependent regarding the length of sufficient burn in time. In my DAC and Line Stage the positive effects were heard fairly early on. On the other hand my amplifiers required much more time to improve with the Black fuses. In all of the components the sound continued to improve up to 150-200 hours. The same very similar situation occurred with my friend's audio system. My belief is that this is truly an individual component by component phenomenon. Charles, |
Hi Tzh21y, Your results are atypical compared to most others here. Either you still may need more burn in time or they just aren't meshing with your system. If they don't come around, return them and get your refund. As with Oregonpapa , the Black fuses are simply wonderful in my system. I'm glad you have given them an audition. Charles, |
Well, I am definitely over one hundred hours, changed fuse direction, now I am back to the original direction I started with. They still sound restricted, less bass, womens voices actually hurt my ears. Not the organic sound I have heard about yet. I hate to give up on them but I am surprised at what I am hearing considering all the great feedback |
^^^^ Put another way ... If there is a need, someone will recognize that need and will step in to fill it and make a fortune in the process. The consumer gets what he/she wants and the producer gets what he/she wants in return. Free market capitalism, baby ... free market capitalism. :-) Last night's listening session included a performance on CD of Spanish music featuring a trio of two cellos and one piano. The sixth cut was a piece composed by Isaac Albeniz. Simply fantastic ... and in the room. Based upon what these SR Black fuses have done for my system, they are worth every penny. I hope SR sells a million fuses ... they deserve it. OP |
Charles of course expensive Simply means costing more money. There is no doubt 100 fuses cost more money than most. Value is a different thing. There can be value in expensive items. But they are still expensive. Im glad when anyone finds good value in their purchases. It's a free country. If there is a market for something someone will sell it. |
Almarg posted the following exchange, Sgordon1 5-3-2016 Regarding fuse ROTATION... I have found "DOTS DOWN" to sound the best.... I encourage everyone to experiment with fuse rotation! And I would encourage that before perceived sonic differences are reported as being attributable to causes that seemingly make no sense whatsoever, that steps be taken to assure that the perceived differences are being attributed to the correct variable. In this case, for example, by rotating the fuses back and forth once or twice between their original positions and the rotated positions, to verify that the perceived differences are repeatable, and that they are not due, for example, to random differences in contact between the fuse and the holder. Regards, -- Al Thanks for the high humor that is so often missing in these threads. If I’m misinterpreting the nature of your response, my apologies. G |
Charles I use isolation stands and platforms under speakers. Gear rests on rock solid very heavy table on ground level concrete foundation with thin dense carpet and pad. My main speakers are in an adjacent room from my gear. My speakers in my room with my gear can go as loud as possible even with turntable sitting a few feet forward of them. It's all rock solid. The only moving parts are the turntable. I use music server with wifi connection to streamer. No wires. Also mu metal foil around phono step up former. Also good quality Pangea power cords and power conditioning. Digital and line level gear in separate outlets from power amp. Very highly tweaked to minimize noise and distortion. It it sounds really good hard to beat IMHO or at least I like it a lot and would not trade. Took a long time and a lot of attention and some money to get there. Wish you could hear it. Cheers. |
Sgordon1 5-3-2016And I would encourage that before perceived sonic differences are reported as being attributable to causes that seemingly make no sense whatsoever, that steps be taken to assure that the perceived differences are being attributed to the correct variable. In this case, for example, by rotating the fuses back and forth once or twice between their original positions and the rotated positions, to verify that the perceived differences are repeatable, and that they are not due, for example, to random differences in contact between the fuse and the holder. Regards, -- Al |
tzh21y For what it is worth. It was a roller coaster ride for a while until things settled down. My synergistic red fuse in my power amp seemed to take a hundred hours to settle in. In my cd transport it seemed to take about two hundred hours to settle in. And settle in they did, beautifully. I am going to get a black for my dac as soon as I have time to call when they are open. |
Mapman, I mentioned the cost of the Black fuses as you've raised that concern several times, certainly you're not alone with that view. To me it's pretty simple, you tried the Red fuse and it made no difference for you. So its a no go in your opinion, understood. Many posters have had terrific results, but no product will please everyone. Mapman have you tried any vibration /resonance control products? I use the Star Sound Apprentice platforms and I am very happy with them. I love finding audio products that tweak and improve music reproduction enjoyment in our homes. Charles, |
" You view 100 dollar fuses as very expensive as you compare them to generic fuses,believe me, I get your point. " I doubt it’s just me. Someone do a proper survey. It can be of "audiophiles only" even to skew the results in a useful manner. They might not want to come on this thread to state their opinions and be thought of as a cheapskate. :^) Inquiring minds want to know. Personally I'm a renowned cheapskate who kicked and screamed all the way while still sinking as much money as I have into my Hifi habit. |
That is interesting because as I mentioned the filament in the ARC sp16 is clearly asymmetrical as I recall so it should be easy to specify which way to insert that into the fuse holder mounted on the back of the unit "correctly" by the pre-amp maker who should know. Oh well, there is always hope still for a non-believer I suppose. At least I get to choose my own favorite fuse direction or not bother at all when I can’t tell a difference. That is more convenient than there being a "right" and "wrong" way for sure and maybe getting it wrong I must say. The customer is always right........ OP BTW thanks for not banning the cynics from your thread like some fuse threads in these parts and giving us someplace we can roost and banter perhaps for the benefit of those whose minds are not made up. |
" if one can’t hear the improvement the SR Black fuses make, then one needs to pay attention to the micro-vibrations first " I’m still not sold that one will always hear an improvement even then which is probably old news but first things first for sure. So if I ask that guy at ARC he’ll be able to tell me which way to properly insert my fuse I took out in order to try the Red Fuse? Otherwise I guess its still just try it both ways and see which means whichever way I like is the right way and there is no wrong answer. That’s a pretty easy test to pass and smart marketing to keep everyone happy and not make it hard for the paying customers !!! :^) |
mapman ... I believe you're correct in your assessment that the more resolving a system is, the more impact the "small" tweaks will have. Early on in this thread I made the comment that eliminating micro-vibrations in a system is a must in order to gain super resolution ... and if one can't hear the improvement the SR Black fuses make, then one needs to pay attention to the micro-vibrations first. sgordon1 ... Warren Gehl is the chief listener at Audio Research. There isn't a piece of equipment, repair or new, that leaves the factory until its signed off by Warren. He not only takes the time to orient the fuses' direction, but also the proper rotational position to ensure that the equipment will sound its best when it arrives at the customer's home. wolf-garcia ... It just amazes me that a wonderful wordsmith such as yourself could be so wrong about so much. Me thinks perhaps you should check your micro-vibrations. :-) OP |
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Mapman, You view 100 dollar fuses as very expensive as you compare them to generic fuses,believe me, I get your point. My perspective is focused on actual sonic improvement added to an audio system. So two very different approaches. As I and other participants here have said, they have more genuine impact than certain cable,accessories and tube swaps have yielded. I can only relate to my listening experiences and yet I accept the fact that yours was a different outcome. That's how it goes. We both have to stand by what we respectively heard. Charles, |
