Possibly like removing the cover and installing magnets for directional enhacement. Tom
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
Frank, Sorry to hear that you have to go through hell on your recovery:( Really hope you can get well soon. Take care and eat well. You should try something like this even though you don't feel like eating. http://www.expressmed.com/product/nutritional-drinks/73959-53344/abbott-nutrition-ensure-original-25... Allan |
Hi, Guys ... After many years of enjoyment, and tons of hours on the unit, the optical pickup lens in my ARC CD-7 -SE is finally giving up the ghost. I found a brand new replacement part here: http://stores.ebay.com/Liberty-Electronics-Store/ A fair price at $29.00 including shipping. With the advent of digital downloads, and red book CD's falling out of favor, if you have a CD player that fills your musical needs, it may be prudent to buy a new lens now and just keep it for that inevitable day. Frank |
I thought I'd never post this but after almost two years after installing HiFi Silver Tuning fuses in my amp and SACD player, I thought I'd try out reversing the fuses in my SACD player. I was never in the camp of "correct orientation" of fuses but knew that simply using a better made fuse could improve the sound. Replacing them gave me a leg up on what was possible but I never could get the results I wanted. The highs were a bit subdued. Still I resisted changing the direction of the fuses. Fast forward to the present: I've been on the lookout for a new pair of speakers that could satisfy my yearnings for what I'd heard with my ribbon super tweeter on my old Tonian Labs speakers. Eagerly I waited for the chance to hear the Elac Adante monitors and they almost had me. Reading up on the Tekton line of speakers got me interested in their monitors which used the patented design of the Double Impacts. It was after consulting Elliot Midwood of Acoustic Image and picking his brain that I came to the conclusion that it had to be my amp or SACD player since he felt that the Marantz had to be complicit in all of this as he's heard the very same drivers sound better, so it had to be in the application. He's been at my place and heard them and likes them very much but the highs were always a tad recessed. Thinking it through, I drew down on the only possibility and finally took out and opened up the SACD player. Unlike the integrated, which had a fuse only in line with the AC, the SACD player had four fuses. Looking at the circuit board, I seemed that at least one of them was in the signal path: maybe two. I knew that there were dedicated power traces to the different DACs and clock. but having all four serving some kind of AC distribution didn't make any sense. I had originally oriented all of them to face the same way, using the logo as orientation. What I did was to flip the fuses the other way and give it a listen. Case closed. I'm not interested in getting a new pair of speakers anymore. The highs are back, in spades. The soundstage is now permanently wider than my speakers. The center stage is now up, where it used to sag. The upper mid bass emphasis is reduced and tighter. I no longer use the treble boost as it adds too much. Flat is where it's at. Over two days I've spent about 12 hours listening to familiar recordings and all I can do is shake my leg and head in disbelief to the music. I could care less to those naysayers who've yet to hear it for themselves. I care not to respond to them as well so go ahead and troll all you want. I am content. Now I can splurge on that new LG OLED on Black Friday for the same money as a new set of speakers. God, I love this hobby. All the best, Nonoise |
As fate would have it the arrows on HiFi fuses don’t indicate direction the fuse should go. In fact HiFi Tuning advises customers to try each fuse both ways to determine direction. It is an old wives’ tale that the arrow points in the direction of the signal flow or electricity flow. It’s also an old wives’ tale that the fuse should go in the opposite direction from the direction of writing on the fuse. The little diode logo or arrow is simply a way to help you remember which way the fuse went just before you flip it. This feature is especially useful if you accidentally drop the fuse with clumsy fingers whilst flipping it or forget which way you had it. This means HiFi Tuning doesn’t "pre-set" each fuse for direction. But HiFi Tuning IS AWARE fuses are directional, we know that for sure. All fuses. Even fuses in AC circuits. So the probability is 50% that a given fuse was inserted in the correct direction. Therefore the only way to procee when one has multiple fuses is to flip each fuse one at a time rather than all at once. Happy 4th! Will there be fireworks here? 😀 |
Just wanted to thank oregonpapa for starting this this thread, and many others for participating and contributing. It has pointed me to many ways to improve my system, and increased my enjoyment of it greatly. I am truly amazed at how far it has come in a relatively short time, and this thread has played a significant part in that. Really looking forward to hearing about the "mystery tweak" that oregonpapa is currently testing. |
^^^ Thank you tommylion ... Since starting this thread, my system has improved by leaps and bounds. And to think, it all started with taking a chance on just one of SR's RED Fuses. I'm indebted to the guys at SR Their tweaks truly work and are transformative. This has led me into other area of tweaks, many of which, came at the suggestion of members here. I'm indebted to those members as well. On the "mystery tweak," It looks like the reveal date may be sometime toward the end of August. At least that's the latest info I have from the genius, who now has become a personal friend, that came up with the idea. I hope so anyway ... its just too good not to share it with all of you. As I said before, it addresses a major problem that has gone unaddressed before. It brings audio systems into the realm of true realism. I think even the mid-fi guys will benefit. Those with high resolution systems will be completely bowled over. Nuff for now ... Frank |
Back on 6-30-17 I posted info re: this site: http://stores.ebay.com/Liberty-Electronics-Store/ I don’t recommend these people. They are selling cheap Chinese knock offs. The part I ordered was dead out of the box. Beware. Frank |
^^^ Allan ... Thank you for asking. Its been a rough row to hoe. I've finally turned the corner on the loss of appetite. Gained seven pounds over the past week. I look into the mirror and see a death camp survivor looking back at me. 130 lbs on a six foot frame. Not good. Its truly been a battle between the body and the mind. Thanks to many skilled specialists I feel as though I've finally turned the corner and entering back into the land of the living. In the meantime, two components of my system are at the tech. The CD player and the line stage. What an obsession this hobby is. Without the system in operation its like missing two ribs. Before the laser pickup went out in the CD player and the line stage developed noise the system was WAY beyond what I ever thought attainable in a home system. Its something that really must be heard. It doesn't play huge like a big Wilson system, but more like a Harbeth 40.2 system with better bass. Tonal correctness is the end- all as far as I'm concerned ...and those of you who are enjoying your Harbeth 40.2's know exactly what I mean. Frank |
Recently viewed a Youtube thing about a Japanese audio maniac who erected his own "telephone pole" for isolated electricity to keep his neighbors pesky distortions out of his gear heap. Seems to work, and fits with my idea of buying a salvaged nuclear power generator from a retired submarine to put in my backyard…just don't tell the neighbors, or bribe them for their silence with free juice. |
Found an inexpensive digital tweak that made a nice difference in my system: https://highend-electronics.com/products/highend-electronics-digital-terminator-75-ohm If you have an unused S/PDIF output on your CD Player, Transport, or other digital device, it may be mucking up the sound. I use the AES/EBU output on my CEC TL-5 Transport. Plugging the digital terminator into the S/PDIF resulted in smoother, more relaxed and transparent sound. I'm sure it would be easy for someone more DIY oriented to make one for themselves. For me, it was well worth the modest price, especially with free shipping. |
Tommylion, thanks. That's definitely a tweak that makes sense from a technical standpoint, IMO. The degree to which it may help will of course vary depending on the design of the specific component. Also, in cases where unused digital outputs on BNC connectors are involved, something like this should do the trick: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/167156-REG/Comprehensive_B_TM_B_TM_BNC_Terminator.html Regarding unused S/PDIF or AES/EBU digital inputs, those presumably already have a termination, internally within the component. Regards, -- Al |
a25105, Good question. The description says they work for inputs as well as outputs. The unused input on my DAC is BNC, so I’m unable to try it there. They also have RCA shorting plugs for unused analog inputs on a preamp or integrated. I have had similar "caps" on my passive pre for some time. Maybe I will take them off to hear again what difference they make. |
Hi Al, Would one need to solder a 75 ohm resistor between the live and neutral on this BNC connector to produce a shunt? Or simply plug one of the shunt connectors tommylion refers to into this BNC plug? Looks to me like those shunt caps above could be replicated using an inexpensive RCA connector and a 75 ohm resistor... Dave |
Hi Dave, The part that I linked to has a 75 ohm resistor built into it. And since it is intended for use in video applications (I have used it for that kind of purpose) I would expect the resistor that has been chosen to be suitable for use in terminating the RF frequencies that are present in digital audio signals. Best regards, -- Al |
| Post removed |
Adjusting fuses for directionality, although very likely a complete waste of time since fuses are a part of an alternating electricity flow (AC), could reveal a .000137% difference in something or other that you're not going to be able to notice unless you fool yourself into thinking you do…it's a fuse…a tiny, output irrelevant wire not actually in the signal path, and designed to melt. Don't be fooled by the unexplainable mythology of snake oil purveyors unless hey, you enjoy faith based tweaking…in which case, geoffkait is your man! (and, he claims to not use fuses except in the metaphorical sense of his "having a short fuse" as illustrated in his re-posting everything he sees fit to comment on). |
Got the BNC terminator for my unused DAC input (Thanks Al 🙂). The improvements are very similar to what I heard putting the first one on the S/PDIF output of my transport. There is a physical switch to choose between the the BNC and AES/EBU inputs. You'd think that would mean the BNC is terminated when the switch is in the latter position, but apparently not. The difference is not at all subtle, and I've got to say this is one of the most cost effective tweaks I've ever tried. |
Finally got the line stage and the CD player back from the tech. All is fine and sounding better than ever.What a joy to have music playing from the big system again. Spotify with headphones and a small dac feeding into the PC is okay .... but, well you know. :-) For all of the Chet Baker fans out there, I highly recommend this CD: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHET-BAKER-BILL-EVANS-the-complete-legendary-sessions-CD-near-mint-/19220031... Its all ballads with a "you are there" presence, The music is so beautiful, its hard to tear yourself away from it. Frank |
Frank, Half of the songs listed on this CD are from the "-Chet" recording. This is an excellent example of vintage Chet Baker in top form. Two songs "It Never Entered My Mind" and "September Song" feature guitarist Kenny Burrell. The combination of these two is drop dead gorgeous! I agree with you, excellent recording quality and musicianship. I’ve owned this CD for years and I listen to it often. Chet could extract so much beautiful sound and emotion from his trumpet and flugelhorn. Charles |
Back to tommylion’s posts re: the use of digital 75ohm terminator caps, I tried a BNC 75ohm terminator on the unused BNC input of my Exogal DAC and could hear no audible improvement. Tried a RCA 75ohm terminator cap ($1) on my Modwright5400ES player’s unused s/pdif digital output and heard a reduction in the noise floor. I think that Al (almarg) said that the improvement from 75ohm terminators would be greatest on digital outputs vs inputs and I found that to be true. Also tried RCA shorting caps on the unused analog inputs on my Ayre preamp and heard no effect, but using same on the unused analog inputs of my Onkyo digital processor (HT system) I did hear a reduction in glare. Likely due to the difference between the quality of input isolation of the Ayre vs the Onkyo. Dave |
@oregonpapa Thanks for asking! I love everything about that disc. All of the musicians feel so relaxed and in tune with one another. It's effortless music as if it just flowed out of them with each in perfect sync with the others. The recording is remarkably atmospheric and open. Chet's trumpet note decay flows naturally from the left channel decaying into the right. No showboating! It is a perfect example of ensemble jazz with players being mutually respectful. Democracy in music! |
Just wanted to let folks here know about the latest addition to my system. It is a Core Power Technologies Equi=Core 300 balanced power cord between the wall and the Tara power strip my system is plugged into. I know some of you have, or have heard, one of the CPT units. If not, I highly recommend looking into them. Of course, I couldn’t leave things there. I had to try and up the ante by putting a Bybee iQSE inside it. Wow! A very synergistic combo! I am hearing a dramatically lowered noise floor. This brings out a wealth of unheard detail, naturally integrated into a wonderful musical whole. It is much easier to follow the various lines in complex music. The sense of life and "realness" of all types of music has jumped to another level. |
Frank, I'm an admirer of both trumpeters ,have many of their recordings and listen to both artists often. Personally I don't believe that account. Both had their individual sound and certainly different styles. Miles was not only iconic but a trendsetter for literally generations. I can believe that he noticed and appreciated Baker's beautiful tone but seriously doubt an attempt to mimic it. Miles had his own beautiful sound and he knew this and cultivated it over the years. This story reeks of "urban myth" in my opinion. Charles |
Charles ... I tend to agree with you. Both had very unique styles. I can listen to either one for hours on end. Never cared for Miles’ psychedelic phase though. One of my favorite Miles albums is his "Round Midnight" album. So soulful and beautiful. I found a mint copy back in the early 70’s in a used record store in Santa Monica for 50 cents. Still have it and it still plays like new (almost). I have an original "Kind of Blue" along with several reissues, including a Japanese reissue. Of all the reissues I’ve heard of this album, the original has the most defined bass lines. In my opinion, Cannonball Adderley makes the album what it is. His playing is very inspired. I’ve often said that Miles and Coltrane showed up for a studio session and Adderley showed up to have a lot of fun. Frank PS: On the new tweak that I’m beta testing .... still going at it. Hopefully the release date will be very soon. I’m just waiting for the mfg to give me the word so I can write a review here. It IS a game changer. Its gotten me closer to a real event than any other tweak I’ve tried so far. Eight week break-in period ... and then it just hits you between the eyes .... and ears. Its the most amazing thing. |
Hifiman5, Absolutely right. There's much mutual admiration amongst top tier musicians. However these very talented folks ultimately want to express themselves with their "own" sound. Particularly in jazz the art and skill of improvising affords the opportunity to be unique. Now are musicians influenced by other players? Yes! Do they want to blatantly copy another? I would say no. Charles |
