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
 re-settable fuses are yet another example of out of the box thinking.
I believe it's more called progression, and becoming viable ($ wise) for manufactures to finally start using in big numbers, as a few years ago they were way too expensive.

Cheers George 
Imagine, for a moment, some manufacturer going the resettable fuse route. They'd be a year ahead of the competition and have a better sounding product to boot (all things being equal). And, if smart, they'd never mention it and a year up on the competition could be extended. In the meantime, laurels will be laid and glowing reviews published, establishing a foothold, and all this on a building a better, and cheaper mousetrap. Or something like that. :-)

All the best,
Nonoise
Bryston has no fuses, only a circuit breaker.  Probably from their pro audio lineage where who t f wants to deal with fuses on the gear when it pops, just reset the circuit breaker.  Kind of how houses are no longer built with fuse panels anymore.  
Except Bryston gets a ton of criticism because of how they used to sound and not how they sound now.  Probably more accurate than most products out there but that doesn't fit the audiophile nomenclature.

Fwiw, I own no Bryston gear and do own and can hear the difference between fuses in certain components.  
On my HT system I have an Marantz SR6004 which has two of these resettable fuses in it. The one on the standby transformer during a power blackout blew, instead of resetting.

It was a pig to replace as it’s down the bottom of the three stacked boards and I had to remove all the boards and that bottom board to solder in a new one. If it was just a fuse in a clamp holder I could have replaced it easy with long nose pliers without removing anything.

How a PTC resettable fuse works
http://www.fuzetec.com/upload/images/PTC%20Function_Work_Basic.PNG

Cheers George
I recently got a matched pair of Telefunken 12AX7s from from Andy Bowen at Vintage Tube Services. They replaced some Teslas’ (80’s or 90’s vintage) I had been running in my ASL Tulip 2A3 SET amp. The Teslas’ were supposedly made with Telefunken’s tooling, and I thought they sounded pretty good. The real deal Telefunkens blew them away. It’s hard to describe the difference; just more air, sense of space, transparency, detail, involvement & general musical goodness.

If you’d like to find out for yourself the difference really good NOS small signal tubes can make, give Andy a call. If you’ve priced NOS tubes elsewhere, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Yes,

This thread has become about more than fuses, and I wanted to to share with the good folks here 😀 

I know there are many who have and/or appreciate tube gear.
I have tubes too and I appreciate Telefunken in the pre, but you have to be carefull and don't put them everywhere as the sound can become a bit harsh.
Especially when you don't install good aftermarket fuses.

Whoa! What? Where’s that coming from? I'd opine the opposite is the case.
Yes you can, (ha-hum...)
In the pre I have
  • 3 Ecc83 ,
  • 2 E188cc, 
  • 1 12bh7,
  • 1 Ef86  and in the amps I have :
  • 2 Ecc83,
  • 2 Ecc82 in each mono amp (and 12 El34)

if Iinstall Telef everywhere the sound is not good. when I was young and crazy audiophile I tried. Believe me.

Sorry  Franck for trolling a bit but I love tubes. These little things are fascinating.

I'm crazy for tubes too but I don't hijack a thread because of that. Here's a novel idea, why don't you start a thread on tubes?

I didn't want to hijack the thread, but just answer to Tommylion and make a parenthesis in the dispute" this can't work" "voodoo" "Synergistic salesman" for a while. Nothing more, and I'll stop here now.
But this not your thread.
I am happy with Synergistic fuses in my amps  and Dac and Beeswax in the pre and phono . I began with SR, but if I had to choose now I would buy all Beeswax I think superiors. That said SR are so good I can be happy as I am.
And what about you and the fuses ? You don't use them : good. Did you ever post something else than copy / paste an opinion and try to ridicule it's author ? You post in many many threads but why don't you make your own ? 
Audiogon forums are not the Geoffkait everyday show
I have to come back and cover a slight error I made in my wording. I used the term 're-settable fuses'.

What I really meant was correctly chosen circuit breakers. The kind where you have to go in, in the gear or manually on the back or what not... and re-set it physically and manually.

When carefully chosen.. in John's estimation... they sound better than fuses. This is not a thing that can easily be retrofitted and each designer (when designing a given build) makes the choices they do. Ie, not just any circuit breaker but carefully chosen ones. Tested for their levels of sonic malfeasance.
Is the circuit breaker imbued with cryoed molecules, voltage bombarding "tesla" treatment, or any other soundstage and cello enhancing mojo? If not, why is it better than a fuse? Why is any fuse (that is working properly and in the "proper" direction with perhaps a sweet, fruity filling) better than any other fuse that's working properly? It seems that a circuit breaker would be prone to untreatable contact degradation, or at least harassment from the other, more delicate components in the amp (these components DO talk to each other by the way…it's measurable). I need answers.
On the subject of graphene, I came across this contact enhancer.

http://madscientist-audio.com/presta/22-graphene-contact-enhancer

Anyone volunteer to be the guinea pig and report back on it? 😉

wolf,

It's only those unanswerable questions which are worth asking.

I have a very short fuse so don't push me on this or I will blow.  Beeswax all over the place.
Just finished listening to Jascha Heifetz playing Brahm's Violin Concerto with Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra 😁

Amazing! It's moments like these where all this "audiofool" stuff really pays off.

Tommylion 3-22-2017
Just finished listening to Jascha Heifetz playing Brahm’s Violin Concerto with Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Amazing! It’s moments like these where all this "audiofool" stuff really pays off.
Must have been wonderful! Brahms is one of my favorite composers (my favorite symphony among those that have ever been written by any composer is probably his No. 1), and Heifetz/Reiner/CSO is certainly an exceptionally distinguished combo. I believe that recording dates from the 1950s. I have several other versions, but not that one. I’ll have to add it to my "buy" list.

Regards,
-- Al

If you want to hear how the Heifetz Brahms concerto really sounds you will have to find it on vinyl or cassette. The cassette is sublime. The CD is a pale imitation.
Thanks, Geoff!  I'll try to find it on vinyl, as my Tandberg 3004 cassette deck needs repair (which I've been procrastinating on, as the repair will most likely be quite expensive).

Regards,
-- Al
 
^^^

Another good one is the amazing violinist Erica Morini playing Tchaikovsky's violin concerto. If you can find the Westminister budget reissue on CD it has both the Tchaikovsky concerto and the Brahms concerto on it. Great sound too. Here's the reel to reel tape: 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Erica-Morini-Brahms-Tchaikovsky-Violin-Cto-4Tk-7-5-Reel-to-Reel-Tape-Westmin...
Thanks Frank.  I hadn't previously known of Erica Morini.

For those who may be interested in but unfamiliar with the Brahms Violin Concerto, here is a relatively recent live performance by the great Itzhak Perlman as soloist, with Daniel Barenboim conducting the Berlin Philharmonic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM12fUAlZtU

Regards,
-- Al
 
Frank,
Thanks for the Audrey Morris recording, she’s good! Very unique style of singing and I like her approach to playing the piano. After listening to "Bistro Ballads " I’m going to seek out more from her. This 1954 recording is really quite intimate with much presence.

Your stereo version of Jo Stafford "Ballad Of The Blues ""-is "much": better than the mono CD remastered version of mine. There’s soul and emotion on your version. Interestingly the "Jo + Jazz " CD is an excellent one for music content and recording quality.

Mel Torme "Swingin On The Moon " captures him in prime form with a terrific big band/string section arrangements. This is top notch Torme. The instrumental solos are really good. There’s an excellent version of "I Wished On The Moon " on this recording. This recording fills my room Frank, a very you are there presentation and very dynamic.

PS ,
Frank it’s a good thing I recorded Dobbs and Hannity 😊😊
I’ve been listening to music all evening.
Charles
Tommylion, I don’t know which release of the Heifetz/Reiner/CSO recording of the Brahms Violin Concerto you listened to, but can you or anyone else here comment on the Analog Productions/Acoustic Sounds reissue on LP?

Regards,
-- Al

Charles ...

Very happy that you are enjoying the music I sent. 

My friend Robert came over for a listening session tonight. He used to room with a guy who had thousands of 78's. Robert took the time to go through the collection and record onto CD the best of the best. That's what we listened to tonight. The best was a cut from a 78 recorded by Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker. Super fine. 

Frank
Wolfie and George!!!
Have either of you tried the new Beeswax Super High Definition (SHD) Fuse from Audio Magic???!!!
It uses  a triple layer design with 2 new proprietary components to make the fuse even quieter with a better transfer of current and relocation of the Bees Wax inside of the fuse for better stability!!!!
I makes for a very organic flavor sounding fuse which retains it's details and dynamics somehow!! 

Stunning scientific breakthrough!!!
Hard science with unquestionable results!!!
Complex organics can sometimes make a better dielectric. Only part of the story at hand.
Showed my 26 year old son some of this threads -
for fun,of course. His only comment was these guys 
definitely need another drink.Time for my B&B. Cheers
Showing your son these posts would be a form of child abuse if he was a bit younger, but the possible damage to his psyche seems cruel even at this age. B&B…bed and breakfast or Benedictine and Brandy? And who IS Brandy and why is she still here? I digress…I do wonder if jmcgrogan2 is serious...hard science indeed, if by "hard" he means inexplicable. I was thinking (!) recently about the vibration that might reach my fuses…my speakers are well in front of the gear rack, rarely particularly loud enough to vibrate the fuses, and I think vibration is sort of everywhere anyway…so I hereby declare that fuse vibration is a non issue, which should free up the time some waste with obsessive gear vibration remedies. Again, this declaration is meant to make the world a better place as, clearly, I’m a giver.
Hey wolf - it's definitely Benedictine and Brandy.
But having Bandy over certainly provides a whole
new dimension to listening pleasure.
Both the above are so far above fuse considerations.
I agree regarding vibrations, in fact I appreciates all the internal vibrations the music provides.
Teo_audio,
Regarding complex organics, there are some cable manufacturers who prefer natural materials  (paper, silk or cotton) rather than synthetic material for insulation/dielectric. No doubt that other factors matter as well. 
Charles 
It uses a triple layer design with 2 new proprietary components
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Outstanding thanks for the insight.

This is all fusers need to know.
All potential fusers need to remember that fuses deteriorate with age from switch on surges (as pictured), and they just need to be replaced with good quality $2 fuse of the same value, as Almarg linked to.

https://i.stack.imgur.com/0uqWX.jpg 

http://www.digikey.com/products/en/circuit-protection/fuses/139  

Cheers George

The irony is that it is like Andrew Singer of Sound By Singer once said (quote originates elsewhere) "I don’t care what they say about me, as long as they say about me".

In other words, all positive and all negative comments create sales for The Synergistic fuses and other audiophile fuses.

Each time a person posts a negative comment (and the given return post), synergistic sells 2-4-10 more fuses to those who witness the fuse fight club thread, and it’s spread in the under current of the audio world.

Synergistic can’’t reasonably step in and say it, so I’ll say it for them:

"All you negative posters, Synergistic thanks you from the bottom of their heart."

Just the way things work, it is....
The irony is that it is like Andrew Singer of Sound By Singer once said (quote originates elsewhere) "I don’t care what they say about me, as long as they say about me".

In other words, all positive and all negative comments create sales for The Synergistic fuses and other audiophile fuses.

Each time a person posts a negative comment (and the given return post), synergistic sells 2-4-10 more fuses to those who witness the fuse fight club thread, and it’s spread in the under current of the audio world.

As the French will say: " Succès de scandale ", translated "Success from scandal".
This concept is echoed by the phrase, "there is no such thing as bad publicity"

3,936 posts and counting....
fuses are also a thing that can be slipped past the significant other so they tend to sell fairly well with bringing about 'hidden', out of sight  upgrades.

But don't worry, she's got you covered.

That ordinary looking glasses case in her purse has a $600 pair of Armani sunglasses that she puts on when she's driving around and seeing friends.


Each time a person posts a negative comment (and the given return post), synergistic sells 2-4-10 more fuses
Got to keep thing honest, the gullible will buy it regardless.

Cheers George
Understandable George, we all do what we gotta do. And we are neither less nor more for it. It is the realizations that count, and if we are wise about it, they never stop coming.
I just read the recent posts and Morini on Brahms is a favorite.   Other favorites of mine are Szyerng on Mercury, Kogan on EMI and Milstein on Capitol.  I probably have a 18 performances but those four stand out in front of the Heifetz.  However, none have recorded the Sibelius concerto sounding like his RCA or many other works.  Heifetz 50's recordings were especially fine/outstanding.
There's nothing "negative" about exposing the silliness of some tweaks…it's more like a clear and clarifying wind of truth that gently blows the smoke of mysticism out of the minds of fools to help them see clearly…or something. 
Wolfie, who are these "fools" that you keep referencing?

A) The ones blissfully happy enjoying the music of their audio systems?

B) The ones angry and upset at those who are blissfully happy for enjoying the music on their audio systems (because they should not be so happy according to laws of physics)?

It’s hard enough budgeting for one family. You must have the weight of the world on your shoulders trying to budget the whole world on your shoulders.
Jmcgrogan2 (John),
As usual an astute observation.  Choice B  sums it up succinctly. 
There's a certain sad/pathetic quality  witnessing people who must repeatedly pat themselves on the back proclaiming how "smart" they happen to be.  

The genuinely smart  don't have to constantly remind others of this attribute,  the proof is self evident..  Perhaps the saviors perched on their soapbox should take note.
Charles   
^^^ John and Charles ...  I too opt for "B." 

In addition, for your consideration, I would like to add category "C."

C) These are the ones who carry negative feelings throughout their entire narrow darkened little lives toward anyone who is more successful, more intelligent or better looking than they are.

There is a high probability of domestic violence perpetrated by them upon family members and/or friends either verbally, physically, or both somewhere in their history.

This is a person who bears watching very closely as one of the ways in which their "disease" manifests itself is in sneaky, underhanded subversions as they attempt to undermine those who they secretly hate.

In the business world we know them as "back stabbers." 

Frank
 
I have no opinion regarding fuse feasibility, but I do enjoy the banter.  I am however, beginning to see a growing lack of tolerance on both sides of this seemingly divisive issue.  These last few posts remind of what has happened recently on college campuses.  You are free to say and think whatever you want, as long as we agree with it.  Otherwise get off our campus.  I don't mean to bring politics into the discussion, but I do think that today's political climate is a reflection of us as a country and world - so very divisive.  Maybe this thread is a microcosm of the same unrest.

As Rodney King once famously said, "Can't we all just get along" ?
I find amateur psychological analysis a welcome breath of fresh air.

😄
Hi Abner jack,
I don’t see the college campus intolerance analogy here. Otherwise there would have been appeals to the moderator to ban posters with contrary views. There’s no censorship here just opposing viewpoints freely expressed with the typical back and forth banter. Readers of this thread are capable of forming their own conclusions. I’ve posted numerous times that the anti fuse proponents have a place here. It doesn’t mean you can’t respond to them as you deem appropriate. With many college campuses these days there is a very aggressive effort to abolish "any" opposing view or belief. No one is doing that here. 

Charles
geoffkait sez:

"I find amateur psychological analysis a welcome breath of fresh air."

Hey ... after 50+ years of making a living in 100% commissioned sales, I have the equivalent of a PHD in psychoanalysis. I usually keep this information carefully under my hat though and only share it with friends ... so please don't tell anyone. :-)

Frank