Synergistic Red Fuse ...

"You’ve been active in this thread almost from the beginning ... and you’re still in doubt?? Even with a 30 day return policy?"

A 30 day return policy would sem to take the risk out of it.

Thing is I spent a lot of time and effort to get just the sound that I have currently, so I am not interested in rocking the cart. When times comes to replace a fuse, I would consider these. Have not done the research yet to determine the best option and cost. I would want to be confident whatever product I buy will not damage my gear. I can assure all I will not knowingly  buy an inferior quality fuse.

What device has been found the better fuse makes the biggest difference?

Would need to see what fuses are in my current gear that could be replaced as well. I have amps, a pre-amp, an integrated amp and a DAC that might be candidates.

Almag ...

The AT ART-9 is a wonderful cartridge in spite of the low cost (in high end terms). Very good choice. Its my last cartridge. I see no reason to spend anymore on a cartridge, and I've had the $3000 + ones in the system over the years.

 To me, this is what A'gon is all about. We would never have known about the ART-9 without Pani directing us to it and sharing the information with us. 

As far as the two SR Black fuses in the CD player ... at this point, I believe they are fully broken in. I have a CD player that retailed for $10,000. It was sent back to ARC for the power supply upgrade when it was made available. A fine player, indeed. I used it mainly for convenience ... like when I read, or just didn't want to continually get up to change or clean a vinyl record. With the SR fuse upgrades, I can honestly say that I had NO IDEA just  how good Red Book CD's could sound. The turntable always won out for critical listening. Now, the CD player is not only on a par with my vinyl rig ... but in many ways it surpasses it. 

Take care ...

Al,

A sensible position to take, as usual.

Its a reasonable argument I think that a fuse that conducts better and is less susceptible to vibrations and resonances performs better and might even sound better in some cases as a result.

No two anything are ever created exactly equal.  Its more a matter of how different and how significant case by case.

As long as the fuse blows properly when it should, all one is out is $100 which is peanuts for a tweak in these parts.

BTW by far my best $100 tweak to date is use of isolating speaker stands and platforms in that price range in two of my 5 listening rooms where called for.   This has probably saved me thousands of dollars mucking around with more expensive gear to no end comparable.    Even my grandmother could hear similar differences in both cases.   Who knows what might happen with a really good or innovative  funky fuse.

Mapman ...

You've been active in this thread almost from the beginning ... and you're still in doubt?? Even with a 30 day return policy?

You remind me of my brother Bob. He came for a two week visit from his home in Tennessee a couple of months ago. When he got here, he set his wallet down on my kitchen counter. Two moths flew out. :-)

What could be a better deal than a 30 day guarantee other than SR paying you to try the fuses? 

electroslaker ... 

I hear what you're saying. That's why I decided to open this thread. I took a $100 flier on my first SR RED fuse, fully expecting to be burned once again by the usual hype foisted upon us by charlatans preying on us hapless audio addicts. Most of us remember the Tice Clock and the green CD paint, right?  I was so amazed by that first SR RED fuse in the system that I just had to share the information with the folks here on A'Gon. At this point, it looks like everyone trying them hears what I, Charles, Richard, Wig, etc., are hearing ... with one exception ... and he didn't let the fuse break in long enough. 

What do you think? Is mapman a lost cause?  Maybe we should take up a collection. :-)

PS: Just kidding mapman. :-)

Mapman 02-08-2016 1:48pm
These kinds of wild claims from high end companies really set off my BS meter.

Glad they sound and work well according to the users in any case.

+1 on both counts.

I for one would be much more inclined to try a tweak that is seemingly inexplicable, or one whose degree of efficacy seems inexplicable, if the manufacturer simply stated that they do not really know how it works, but that they have empirically found that it does. Rather than providing explanations that strike me as some combination of marketing-ese and techno-babble (to coin a couple of expressions).

BTW, for anyone who may be interested Wikipedia has what appears to be a good writeup on quantum tunneling. Also BTW, I see no mention in the writeup of ultra-high voltages, such as two million volts.

That said, I do respect and value the fairly overwhelming acclamations of these fuses that have been offered in this thread, especially taking into account the credibility many of the posters have clearly earned here over the years. And I wouldn't rule out the possibility that I may just try one. Although not before I get through the breakin and fine-tuning of tonearm adjustments for my recently acquired AT-ART9 phono cartridge, which I decided to go for based largely on acclamations provided by some of these same posters :-)

Regards,
-- Al
 

If it had not been for personal accounts, the marketing of Synergistic Research would have pushed me away from trying their fuses.

Mapman, I feel your angst. The Polaroid Land camera produced the same sensation in that remote island in the middle of nowhere when it was demonstrated to the natives.

I will buy anything possibly if the value proposition is there.

$100 fuse? Maybe. It all depends on the detailed facts which with high end tweaks are often murky at best. Individuals proclaiming better sound are always useful data points. A somewhat large consensus over time is even better.

In general I shy away from things shrouded in secrecy and murky facts because the value proposition is not clear.

I have no problem conceiving that a fuse could be a performance bottleneck in some cases so I think it is a topic worth understanding better. Certainly a fuse that is blown does not sound at all and fuses are not strict binary devices so all intermediate states of sound quality from properly functioning fuse to blown fuse are surely possible. So I have no doubt each fuse can sound different and often might even.

Also I am guessing if graphene is used, its the conductive filament on the inside out of view.

If one of these suckers ever blows and becomes useless and gets replaced like can happen to any fuse worth their salt, maybe someone will open it up and check out the magic sauce inside and report? That would be interesting.

If in fact its 8000000 times as conductive as alternatives, graphene or otherwise, I might be convinced to bite the bullet and try. That would be a good indicator that this is truly an innovative product that might push some boundaries. Like magnetic wires but only $100, a bargain by audiophile standards for a tweak that works.

if not its just false advertising by the high end audio guys distributing Synergistic and others. Not good....

BTW I see at least one other product listed on Synergistic site indicating use of graphene, so apparently its something SR deals with. I just did not see anything indicating graphene used specifically in the SR fuses. It would impress the heck out of me personally if true, FBOFW.

I’m going to go out on a limb a little bit here and just a wild guess, but is Graphene by any chance, uh, black?
:-)

idle question: anyone know where I can pick up some Graphene hookup wire?

sidebar: Mapman, I can’t see you buying an aftermarket fuse. Sorry. No way, no how. Not a red one, white, black one. It’s not in your nature. Too much angst.

;-)

Ok so  there is a featured listing on Agon for Synergistic Quantum Black Fuse that indicates use of Graphene in the fuse, which would be a fairly significant thing I would guess  regardless of how it may or may not sound.

Yet on vendors site they mention use of a "special alloy" but not Graphene specifically it seems.

So is it or is it not using Graphene?   Anyone know for sure?

The add also states:

"The Synergistic Research BLACK Quantum Fuse is by far Synergistic's highest performance fuse to date. Introducing Synergistic Research BLACK featuring a patent pending UEF coating and Graphene with 8 million times the conductive density of copper. "

8 million times?   As Maxwell Smart used to say I find that hard to believe!   Maybe I'm wrong.   If true, I would really like to hear the difference (without without having to drop $100 up front though if avoidable).

Any clarifications appreciated.   These kinds of wild claims from high end companies really set off my BS meter.

Glad they sound and work well according to the users in any case.

 

Thanks for the correction David. As you point out, it appears I'm lumping anyone using the term quantum into a single sales category.  That makes me feel better about the fuses. 

oregonpapa:
Thank you for the suggestion on Chico Hamilton.

Do the Black fuses also make a difference in speakers? Well they certainly do in subwoofers!  I changed out the Isoclean 6 amp fuse to the Synergistic Research Black, and at this location the Black fuse also makes an important improvement to the system's sound. The Isoclean fuse had a much lesser effect.

David Pritchard

Oregonpapa, Charles1dad, Grannying, Davidpritchard,Marqmike;
Thanks for the advice, I'll replace that fuse too.

David & Wig ...

If you guys like jazz AND cello, check out the Chico Hamilton Quintet from the late 50's and early 60's. Fred Katz on jazz cello. The best. This group was considered to be quite advent guard back in the day. Oh yeah ... that was during the Beatnik days. We were cool. Yep.   

This is the one you'd be looking for. 

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chico-Hamilton-Quintet-EX-LP-Stereo-1225-/291580021140?hash=item43e3860994:g...

Be careful if you order it. It came in both stereo and mono. The stereo is MUCH better. 

wig:

I think it is a great CD and very well recorded.
Juillard String Quartet come to Las Cruces, New Mexico March11, and El Paso,Texas  March12. If you can go I have tickets.

cal3713
Synergistic Research passes a burst of High Voltage thru many of their products which they call Quantum Tunneling.
WA Quantum Chips are made by a European company. They do affect the sound when placed on electrical components.

David,

Looking forward to purchasing the CD you mentioned; cello and acoustic guitar are my favorite...

lak:
I have changed out the rail fuse on the Marantz SACD player that only sends power to the unit's transport and laser. No other changes. Big improvement in sound! This fuse location is important.

Oregonpapa:

The wall outlet upgrade is going to make a significant difference in sound. If you have more than one outlet on your audio circuit,  each one upgraded will make a difference. They need 7 to 14 days to break in. At first you will hear a "louder" more forward sound. It may sound "out of Focus" several hours later. 24 hours latter somewhat better, and then when you are tired of wondering if they are that helpful they suddenly open up like the fuses do.

Cellos also sound Great with the Black fuses in my system.

I hope you will listen to Zuill Bailey's newest release of cello and guitar music."Arpeggione" by Zuill Bailey and David Leisner. Azica label. It will be released on Amazon at the end of the month. Zuill's 1693 cello has the best tone out there. You will hear the rosin flying off the strings!

David Pritchard

Fran6,
Yeah,Panthers vs the Broncos, has the  potential to be a compelling game  with two top level defensive units. We've soon see. 

Electroslaker, 
Very nice detailed post. You take a back seat to no one. 
That's far more detail than I have ever provided. I tend to summarize and write the gist of what I hear. I'm glad that the fuses worked out so well in your system. 
Charles, 

electroslaker ...

What a wonderful review. You have pretty much said it best so far. I don't know if you have any small group classical music. If you do, and you have a really good recording where a cello is involved, you want to be sure to give it a listen. What you heard with the sound of the piano, not the notes, but the actual organic sound of the piano like the wood, the creaks and the pianist working the pedals, really comes through on cello. The cello parallels the human voice more than most instruments, being in the lower mid-range and all, the cello on my recordings is just somehow "right;" more emotional, visceral and organic. Simply beautiful. 

Uhh ... is there some type of game on today. I think I heard something about a football game. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to miss it. The cellos are calling ... the cellos are calling .... SAVE ME!!!!

SR makes quantum chips? For real?

Well, despite my utter disbelief in this company's "quantum chips", I'm ready to bite the bullet on their fuses... too much universal praise in here for it to be wrong.  Anyone who upgraded to Blacks want to get rid of some Reds?  I need four slow-blow 5x20mms; two 1.6As and two 1As.

If anyone wants to do that, just PM me: https://www.audiogon.com/users/cal3713/feedbacks

Thanks,
Chris   

I swapped the two Reds for Blacks in the Vac Avatar Integrated, and added two Blacks in a Benchmark DAC. Since I had already sent back the Reds, and added two more fuses, any A/B claims I make are not really Apple/Apple.   Frank, Charles, and others have done an excellent job of conveying their experience, and I’m not sure I can add much.

Day 1: After four hour burn.
The very first impression was that the sound was fatter and more centered than the Reds. That is, on the Reds, I heard more content in the mid to lower treble range compared to stock, but occasionally some of the clarity had a hint that some lower frequencies had been pared back so that there was less congestion and competition for the mid to lower treble. With the Blacks, there’s a sense that everything is there in fuller proportions. I had commented that the Reds made sources seem more naked, and the Blacks seem to restore some clothing. I wondered if I’d miss that quality of the Reds.

I agree with p59teitel that the bass is very tuneful on the Blacks, and seems more open and relaxed, as if you get a fuller palette of distinct notes in that range, and one extra note at the bottom. There is also a “black’ness” when bass notes are not present in the recording.

But there were some oddities. I had commented that the Reds seemed to move the percussive range of the Enya sound forward, which moved the voice back. To burn in the Blacks, I was using a shuffled playlist of six CD’s, and I swear that when an Enya track came on, it seemed much louder than the other tracks. Really odd, and I have no explanation, except her voice had moved forward and then some. Yeah, I know, “Enya?”

When I first played Graceland, I though it sounded a little odd, as if Ladysmith Black Mambazo had lost of little of their grunt and resonance.

And true to OregonPapa’s prediction, I listened for about ninety minutes, then watched the news.

Day 2:
After a night of burn, Graceland sounded much better, and the first clue of the Black’s strength appeared: On “Boy in a Bubble,” I didn’t just hear the beat and tap my foot; I inhabited the drummer’s body and played those drums with sway and delight. There’s also a subtle sense that the others playing instruments are individuals standing as discrete contributors, concentrating on getting it right.

Ripple (American Beauty, Dead) never sounded so intimate or as nuanced.

The Kiko album (Los Lobos) is a thing to behold with new separation, power, and great rhythmic structure. The band is heard as both cohesive unit and individual virtuosity.

I like the album “Diamond Mountain Sessions” by Sharon Shannon, which is Irish acoustic, spanning guest artists. The track “Galway Girl” has Steve Earle in the room in full twang. Sometimes, Sharon’s instruments melodically squeak, and it’s obvious that the Blacks are revealing more of the higher registers and rapidly sliding notes, riding on top a solid, fuller foundation by the band.

At this point, I’d say there was more “Wow” coming from stock fuses to Reds, and the Blacks add a sense of completeness and increased energy flow.

Day 3 – Just buy the Blacks.
On my modest system, everything is better. I would have described my speakers as slightly mellow, but now I hear chimes and bells shimmering in authenticity. The highs are extended. The bass is extended. The sound stage went from five feet tall to six, and there seems about a foot of added depth on good recordings.  Instrument separation changes your experience of well-known tracks. On jazz piano, you hear the piano, and not just piano notes.

I’ll end by sharing that I played side 2 of Abbey Road louder than I ever had to let the Black changes wash over me. “Here Comes the Sun” had been a tidy, polite piece, but now it has power, depth and separation that transforms it. Throughout the entire side, McCartney’s bass and Ringo’s drums are separate instruments, clearly rendered, that you can’t help but follow and appreciate the musicianship.

I half expect the members of this thread to be contacted by scientists, psychiatrists, or perhaps the old UFO Hunters team. What shouldn’t make any/much difference is praised by all observers as real and amazing. Tip o’ hat to OregonPapa – the prophet.

Frank,after  they are broken in would appreciate your help/ears to help me judge best orientation of fuse direction in my rig. Perhaps in two weeks more? Thanks..

Aolmrd,,
there are 2 rail fuse holders in the main unit, not associated with the AC power charger unit, so yes, they are used in the DC circuits, and are 4amp solo blow . Started with PD Dac first, but now even better with battery powered line stage installed. Vytas, their designer thought it might help, so I did, and it does.

^^^^ There's a sales technique known as "The Puppy Dog Close." It goes like this ... Pet store owner: "Oh so you're undecided on whether you want to own this puppy? Well then ... why don't you take the puppy home for 30 days just to see if he/she would meet the needs of your family and fit in?."

Of course by the time the 30 days are up, you're so much in love with your new puppy that you wouldn't even think about returning it."  The SR 30 day trial on all of their products? A great puppy dog close. The products are so good, I don't imagine they get many returns on anything they build.  

Next up for me after three more BLACK fuses are installed into the system, is one of SR's wall sockets. Based upon what Charles says about what an upgrade this wall socket is, I just can't pass up that kind of improvement for a modest outlay of $95.00. 

Happy listening ... 

Bob ..

Glad you took the leap into the "Black" world of fuses. You're going to have to put another 30  hours on them before they really start coming alive, at which point the improvement they afford is mind boggling. Considering the price, and the fact that there's a 30 day return policy, it just seems to be a no brainer to me. 

As I mentioned somewhere else on this site, I've been in commissioned sales for over 50 years. There's a sales technic 

Bob,how can a fuse in your battery powered preamp have any effect on sound quality if the pre is off the ac grid? Are the fuses connected in the dc circuit somehow? 

I too have drank the Kool-aide, and installed a SR Black fuse into my Playback Design PDS-5, and two into my Veloce battery powered line stage. I have around 36 hours on them, and I can verify everything that Charles and Frank have claimed...my digital computer music now sounds more analog like; I'm hearing better details, subtle cues I never appreciated before, a fuller sonic density, and an overall much more pleasing sound quality. I have not yet tried switching directions, I am hoping I got it right the first time, but will perform that experiment after they are more fully broken in. Just another satisfied customer, grateful to follow on the backs of these pioneers who have alerted me to a relatively inexpensive tweak, that has exceeded my expectations in better sonic results..
Bob

Yes, it would help LAK. I know as I bypassed the fuse in a CEC transport and it improved the sound nicely.  A better fuse will also help as it approaches bypassing a fuse altogether, just not quite as good. 

Lak,
I'm inclined to believe that a better fuse would  make a noticeable improvement. Paul  McGowan of PS Audio encourages owners of his transport to upgrade the fuse. I say go for it. ☺
Charles, 

I'm thinking that if there's a signal going through the Music Culture CDP that it would make an improvement. 

FUSE assistance needed please:
I’m currently using my Music Culture MC 501A CDP as my transport and it pairs up with my Yamamoto YDA-01 Dac that has a SR Red fuse in it.
Before I drop some big dollars on the SR Black fuses etc., is a SR Red or Black fuse going to make any improvements in the Music Culture CDP that I’m using as a transport only?
Thank you for your thoughts.

 I was wondering if anyone is trying "fuse rolling" in speakers. How about the Magnapan guys? They take fuses, right? Might be a significant improvement to be had there. 

What I find interesting is why all the fuses in gear? Paul of TRL, RIP, never used fuses in his amps and preamps. No fuse sounds better than any high end fuse. He taught me to build amps and preamps with high quality circuit breaker switches as the on/off switch. No fuse! That is one reason his gear sounds do good. 

I noticed some designers have followed his lead, but not many. Big sound improvement opportunity for builders! 

Now dacs use several fuses beyond  the mains and present a different opportunity beyond the mains fuse. I have bypassed fuses (dacs & CD players) in the past and never had an issue. Fact is I have never had any fuse in digital gear blow. Never. Never heard of anyone blowing fuses in digital front ends beyond  the mains.  That being said, I don't want to mod my Luxman dac and will try some of these Black fuses soon.  

Frank,
I'll give your friend Robert the same credit as I gave Jeff, at lease they listened and judged by what they heard. If you listen and aren't impressed, that's fine, you simply call it as you hear it, no problem. 

To conclude that a fuse cannot possibly contribute in the way they  do (without actually  listening) is à clear example of close mindedness and adherence to preconceived dogma. The beauty of audio is the opportunity to used your ears /brain and decide based on an actual encounter.
Charles,  

"During the first listening session, Robert and I kept saying: "How can the system get better than this?" Well, after fitting the system with the RED fuses, the BLACK fuses were introduced."

The Last Tweak Syndrome. It's difficult to imagine it can get better and the LAST tweak was the biggest.

I have a buddy whose like "Skeptic  Doug." I call him "Cynic Robert."

I wanted him to hear the improvement from the first Red fuse I installed in the line stage. Here's how I broke the news to him:

Me: "Hey Robert ...I added something to the system. Its terrific. Come on over for a listen." 

Robt:  "What did you do?" 

Me:  "Its so good, I want you to guess when you get here."

So for about the first hour into the session Robert is still guessing things like "tube rolling?" "New power cords?:" "You sprinkled magic dust all over your system?"

Then, I took the box the fuse came in and handed it to him. He was amazed at what that little critter did. 

After 50 years in commissioned sales I learned a long time ago ... if YOU say it, they don't believe you ... but if you can get THEM to say it, its the truth because in their mind, THEY don't lie, 

Robert's last words that night?:  "I'm buying these fuses!"

During the first listening session, Robert and I kept saying: "How can the system get better than this?" Well, after fitting the system with the RED fuses, the BLACK fuses were introduced.

That's how "it gets better than this!"

Tonight's experience with Jeff's system again drove home this point, these fuses are absolutely directional. When Jeff reverse fuse direction the improvement was immediate and undeniable. 
Charles, 

Hi Bill,
Yes,I like your approach,  begin with one in your CSL and just go from there. As mentioned above, Jeff's  Absolare Passion Signature Line Stage responded to the SR fuse every bit as much as the CSL.These are world class  components we're discussing. I firmly believe that the better the component, the greater the impact of these premium level fuses. Components that are innately transparent and pure allow the fuses to shine and demonstrate their impressive quality. 
Charles, 

Jeff (Jwm),
I'm not surprised that Doug remains skeptical about the fuse swap tonight and the significant improvement due to the SR Red fuse. I like Doug a lot but he is the classic example of the "tech mindset" that holds an adamant stance based on principle rather than listening. I don't care about people who form an opinion rather than actually listening to something , well that's their problem not mine. 

The impact of the SR Red fuse was of the same substantial  scale as in my system despite our very different system components and room environment. I'm looking forward to you adding a SR fuse to your DAC. I'll bring a Black fuse over to you soon and see what you think of it. 
I'm glad you took the opportunity to simply hear the fuse in your own system and make up your own mind. 
Charles, 

My neighborhood friend Charles just stopped by with only One SR Red 3 Amp Fuse. I wanted him to hear a new dac that I put into my system. The sound was good, but not that engaging. We tried different filter settings on the dac and different digital cables. We were just bored. I then changed my two year old Telos fuse in my Absolare preamp for the SR red. The sound was good and then I switched the fuse around. OH MY the system went from boring to lively with an organic quality that I never had before. It was at least a 50% improvement. Next week he will bring the black SR fuse over. I am just tongue tied. I never heard an improvement like this before. I can't believe the shear organic and transparent quality yet its not bright and the dynamics are explosive, but controlled. Who would have thunk. I told this to my skeptic friend Doug and of course he does not believe me what so ever. I don't blame him as I can't believe it as well. I am always open to new things as I was already using a good fuse in the Telos. I can't wait until next week.

Charles,  thanks for that last comment.  If these fuses have that kind of impact in the coincident gear, the decision to invest in these fuses becomes pretty easy.  Since I have stock fuses in nearly everything, the improvement should be pretty substantial. I intend to proceed in a very slow deliberate fashion however, replacing one fuse at a time, allowing break in to occur before proceeding with the next purchase.  I am also intrigued by some of the comments on the AM beeswax fuses.  I can't help but wonder if they might not be a superb choice for the franks.  Beeswax in a fuse is the kind of wacky stuff Jerry comes up with that causes some to smirk, but I have never seen his stuff fail to deliver.  At any rate, I will have an SRB fuse for my CSL by next weekend.  I'll probably proceed to the sources, and finish with the Franks. 

Hi David, 
Your comment about fuses and AC wall outlets compared to tube rolling rings much truth in certain circumstances. I've had the good fortune to audition 11 different brands of 300b tubes in my SET amplifier  (these include generous loans from fellow audiogon members ).  Each is unique, some subtle and others are quite obvious. The SR fuses (Black and Red ) elicited a greater sonic impact on my system than quite a few(but not all of them ) of the 300b tubes. These terrific fuses are far less expensive than those tubes.  The very best 300bs have a bit more impact but definitely at a cost. 
Charles, 

 
wolf_garcia said

"Reading a review of a new Pass amp last night I noticed it has NO fuses…I suppose you can add one later..."

correct- I place a fuse on top of my Pass amp in a very careful north/south orientation 

charles1dad:

The Black fuses certainly do need more break in hours than the original SR20 and the RED fuses. As you pointed out the change in sound does not show a linear path of improvement, but there is a sudden improvement and only after "x" number of hours. Then there is a continued improvement.

I believe the increased break in time is the UEF material that is placed in that small circle located at the mid body of the fuse. Synergistic Research is now sending a little diagram of the fuse pointing out to take care not to rub this dot when putting in the fuse. So now I install them so I can see the "dot: so I do not rub it off installing of removing the fuse.

Today I changed out the rail fuse that protects the laser of my SACD player and even here the sound changed. 

Upgrading fuses and a/c wall sockets has been much more rewarding than tube rolling!

David Pritchard

Frank  (Oregonpapa ),
I find myself in agreement with you often on this thread. The Black fuses definitely need more burn -in hours than the SR RED fuses for whatever reason. A few nights ago at roughly 60 hours of  use the music just bloomed  and opened up. I was listening to a very familiar Carmen McRae live recording and it all just fell into place, it was somewhat dramatic. Up to that point I was missing the musical ease and organic natureof the Red fuses. It was at this juncture where the Black fuses surpassed the terrific Red fuse. The sound based on listening last night is apparently still improving (90 hours)  A very familiar recording,  Chet Baker "The Italian Sessions " has never sounded better, just engrossing and beautiful. The Black fuses require patience. 
Charles, 

My default disposition is somewhat skeptical. That said, I was surprised at the difference Hifi Tuning Supremes made in my Ayre AX7e a few years back. Everything opened up, more dimensionalality with a deeper wider soundstage, more punch, more organic sound. Maybe it's my imagination but I've been convinced nonetheless and yes it strikes me as logically odd that something not in the path of sound transmission could make a difference. And never had a problem with them. 

So when I recently upgraded to the AX-5 I had no hesitation deciding to replace the fuses. Reading this thread I decided to try the SR Black, which are now on order. Will update after installed and some hours on 'em.

After 96 hours of continuous burn-in, the two fuses inside of my SACD Player is really starting to open up, much smoother and the hard upper region is Gone and I'm hearing more texture, body and subtle cues on guitars, violins and cellos...

I inserted the SRB fuse into my Integrated amp last night and done some initial fuse orientation cold right out of the box just to get a sense of the sound with zero hours; results similar to what I experienced with my CD Player but different in many ways. One direction produced a more organic sound that was upfront in imaging but very little detail. A quick flip of the fuse and things changed, soundstage drastically shifted 4-5 feet behind the plane of the speakers allowing you to hear the recording venue of the Artists.

More to follow on the Amp fuses in 4 days with the tube power supply being the next upgrade...