Why would any manufacturer reveal how his/her products work? In a totally competitive market like audio there are those waiting on the side lines to steal someone else’s technology and profit from it. Ted Denney owes these yahoos nothing. His road to success is to continue producing innovative products that are perceived to perform beyond the price paid by the end consumer. As a result, the man is experiencing a ton of success, and deservedly so. Here’s the key: "Help as many people get what they want FIRST, and you will get what you want in return." tommylion ... You’re getting fantastic cello and double bass sound now, right? Amazing, no?? The combination of the tube dampeners and the Blue fuses are killer. But ... just wait until the "secret tweak" comes on the market. Like the old vaudeville crooner used to say ... "You ain’t heard nuttin’ yet. :-) And speaking of music, does it get any better than this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UTmuKLoEeQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upJ3OgMRiUAAnd she lives on ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSfgCIGd7k4Frank |
Mapman sez: "
Kudos to Wolf for standing up to the bullies." I had to laugh ... I've been called a shill, had my credibility questioned, demanded that I expose my receipts to prove that I've purchased the fuses in my system ... and I'M the bully? I've been insulted to no end in these pages and even abandoned the original Red fuse thread in an effort to dump the naysayers who continue to crash through the doors ... and I'M the bully? I HAVE to know how something works and unless I do, I can't be hearing what I'm hearing? For the umpteenth time .... I DON'T GIVE A FIG HOW THE FUSES WORK, only that they do. Originally, I tried one RED fuse and was so taken by the improvement that I enthusiastically shared the results with other members here at A'gon. That's it, pure and simple. To the naysayers ... Get a friggin' clue ... its none of anyone else's business how the fuses work. Denny owes no explanations to anyone. If he wants to give away trade secrets its up to him, but from what I know of Ted Denney so far, he's nobodies fool. My take is that the fuses use graphene internally ... and graphene is known to eliminate micro-arcing. Micro-arcing, like micro-vibrations have the effect of smearing and degrading the sound. And by the way, why no response from dbarger regarding how I attained my fuses? Not that I had to, but I took the time and effort to answer his questions as completely and honestly as I could ... and not even a simple "thank you??" Man, there's some strange folks lurking about. Here's an interesting article regarding graphene: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/22/material-questionFrank |
dbarger ... Thanks for the response. I thought you may have fallen off of the end of the Earth. Glad to see you posting here again. :-) geoffkait ... With the exception of the Blue fuses, I've paid full retail + tax + shipping for all of my fuses. Had the Blue fuses been a step back in SQ I would have said so. I have no dog in the fight other than trying to obtain a better sounding system and reporting the results here. theaudiotweak ... Over the years I've had so many "audiophiles" tell me that after market IC's and PC's were nothing but snake oil. Most said that you just can't do better than Radio Shack wire or Monster Cable that one could buy at Home Depot. Then they started on the wall outlets. And then various room treatments. And now the fuses. Same-o, Same-o. Only the names have changed. Wolfie ... The improved perception of 3-D holographic imaging is the result of the lower noise floor afforded by the fuses. When I say "in the room," with good recordings, I mean exactly that. Again, if you're not getting that kind of imaging, there is work to be done. It goes way beyond the fuses though. Are you familiar with the Shatki Holographs? If so ... how do they do what they do? http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/shakti/hallograph.htmlI have four of them, each taking up one corner of the room. Take them out of the room and the sound stage collapses, along with the imaging, to the point that I wouldn't want to listen without them. I don't know how they work. Like the fuses, I don't care ... all I care about is that the DO work. Frank |
lostbears ...
I had a HiFi Tuning fuse in my Ref-75 SE. Not sure what rendition it was though. The SR RED was better. The SR BLACK was WAY better .. and the BLUE was the best of all.
Frank |
lostbears ... Nope, no footers. I haven’t tried them all, but I’ve found that the stock ARC feet are better in my system than all the after market ones I’ve tried. With that said, I have paid a lot of attention to reducing micro vibrations. If you click on my icon, then double click again on the other pictures, you will see exactly what I’ve done. Those platforms under the electronics are custom made. They consist of two very accurately machined pieces of high quality, high density, granite material with a thick layer of dampening material normally used to dampen our military submarines. The custom built equipment rack uses the same thinking, i.e., ... three pieces of quality plywood with the same dampening material sandwiched between each layer and then finished off with attractive material. The whole shebang is spiked through the carpet and into the raised wood floor. It weighs a ton. These are the details that when paid attention to gives our audio systems the "they are in the room" presentation. Everything is cumulative. Check out the platforms under the speakers. The speakers are spiked to the high density maple platforms, and then the platforms are spiked through the carpet into the floor. Same thing for the tops of the speakers. I’ve placed two of the granite platforms on top of the speakers along with lead weights. It has the effect of increasing the mass of the speakers. I’ve done that with all of the floor standers I’ve had in the past with very good results. It really improves the clarity of the presentation. Those two tweaks to the speakers were huge in improving SQ. If I had to do it over again, I’d take a little different approach .... I would concentrate on dampening the room first and getting that right. Instead, I did the room last and was astounded by the improvement it afforded the system. A good start would be a ten pack (at least ten) of SR’s High Frequency Transducers and install as per the provided directions. This is not a subtle improvement ... at least in my system. And they went in after the Shatki Holograms and the other room treatment I did. Highly recommended. https://highend-electronics.com/products/sr-hft-high-frequency-transformerThe issue of cost always arises of course, but keep in mind that its taken me over 30 years to make all of these improvements ... a little at a time. And to think ... the tweaking all started with a set of aluminum "Tip Toes" under the speakers. Who knew?? :-) Oh and by the way, that big glass table is no longer in the room. It was very reflective and the bass improved dramatically once it was removed. Also, the speaker cables are now raised off the floor. A tweak here and a tweak there ... :-) Frank |
lostbears ...
I've heard solid state gear on the same equipment rack as have and it works out okay. The electronics were Goldmund and Accuphase. |
Grits is good Y'all. So is Polenta. |
Guy ... When you're done changing over to the BLUE fuses, try replacing the stock ARC tube dampeners with Herbie's tube dampeners. You will need the Ultra Sonic RX-9's for your 6H30 signal tubes. Big improvement to be had there. Here's Herbie's site: http://herbiesaudiolab.net/rx.htmFrank |
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To all ...
Let's take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Lets think positive thoughts and let us be happy for the manufacturers who bring us the great products we enjoy so much. These are the innovators in the industry who take the risks, who make the necessary investments and do the marketing. If they become wealthy bringing us what WE want before they make a penny of profit, more power to them. This is capitalism at its finest in action. Remember, Bill Johnson started by modifying Dyna Stereo 70s and grew it into Audio Research, a brand loved around the world, and Bill Gates started in his garage and ended up changing the world.
Frank. |
Hi, David ...
I love your stories regarding your mom. She's very lucky to have a son like you, that's for sure.
Frank |
John ...
Both the Blue fuses and the Herbie's tube dampeners were significant improvements. What was the best over stock? The Blue fuses. Just amazing. The combo is killer though.
Fank |
Charles ...
"Manhattan Moods" with McCoy Tyner on piano and Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone arrived from Ebay today. Just finished listening to the whole thing. Very nice ... thank you for the recommendation. I've always been a fan of not only vibes, but marimbas as well.
Frank |
THE SECRET TWEAK
Over the good part of this past year I’ve been beta testing a new tweak, the name of which is "Total Contact." Its a hi-bred graphene contact enhancer that is different from all other contact enhancers that have come and gone for one reason or another. I’m not new to these contact enhancers, having had quite a bit of experience with a product developed by the late Brian Kyle and his "Quick Silver" contact enhancer. The "Total Contact" is different ... a LOT different.
"Total Contact" is graphene based and is not a vibration control. It eliminates micro-arching between two contacts. Micro-arching, much like Micro-vibration smears the sound in our stereo systems. Its the type of distortion that we don’t know is there .... until we eliminate it. There is no break-in as we know it. The sound is improved right off the bat, but what you hear is only a smidgen of what’s to come.
I tested three generations of "TC," each of which was an improvement over the previous incarnation. The final mix was cryogenitically treated and made for a more effective, much smoother application. It comes in a large hypodermic needle type plunger containing 1.5 ml of product and includes a instructional DVD and an application brush.
The application should be applied with a very thin coat to all of your electrical connections .... from your cartridge pins to your power cords. I did my entire system, including the ends of my fuses.
Upon initial application, you will notice an improvement in clarity, correctness of tonal balance and a more overall organic sound. But ... that is just scratching the surface of what this magic paste does. As it cures, the improvements become more apparent. Much more!
There are two real break-through events that happen almost to the day with "Total Contact," one at four weeks and another at eight weeks . At four weeks, you’ll get a real jump in clarity and overall improvement. That’s only a taste though of what’s to come at eight weeks. At eight weeks your system’s focus will make a jump in SQ that is so real - its surreal.
After 40 years in the hobby, and a total tweak nut, I have never heard anything that does what this graphene paste does. The see-through clarity at eight weeks becomes simply amazing. The "paste" eventually cures into a kind of polymer plastic and it seems that the sound improves with each listening session. So, its important that you leave your contacts alone for the duration. If you’re the type of person that continually switches wires in and out, you’ll have to re paste until enough time has elapsed to get "the cure."
The only problem I had was with the first batch and that had to do with shorting out a tube pin in the line stage. Use the "TC" very sparingly on tube pins, if at all. I only had problems with the line stage tube pins. The Amp, CD Player and Phono Stage has had no tube pin problems at all.
Tim Mrock, one of our fellow A’goners, is the developer of the product. Its taken Tim 15 years and several patents to get it right. Tim has "pasted" every electrical contact he can find in his audio system, all of the switches in his circuit breaker box, every contact in his car ... and has used it in commercial applications such as hospital circuit breakers, surgical lights ... and other places where efficiency and long life of electrical components are deemed important.
This product is highly recommended to anyone who truly wants to get the most out of his/her audio systems. There’s enough product in each tube to do at least two audio systems as it just takes a very thin coat on each application to be effective. The last tube was enough to do my system twice and then a friend’s system this past weekend.
The release date will be between Christmas and the New Year. A 1.5mil tube with applicator brush and DVD will retail for $299.99. Buy it ... like the SR Blue fuses, its a real winner.
Frank
PS: There were a couple of other A’goner beta testers of this product as well. Hopefully, they will chime in here with their experiences for comparison. I "pasted" both of Steve Fleschler’s systems a few days ago, perhaps he will comment on his results too. We forgot to paste Steve’s power cords though, so there’s a lot more to be had from Steve’s two fantastic systems.
Frank
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^^^ Yes. It comes with an applicator brush. |
^^^ No, nothing like it. "Total Contact" uses a patented binder and is not oily. This stuff really works.
Merry Christmas guyz. :-)
Frank |
^^^ In the case of the "Total Contact," you definitely get what you pay for .... and then some. |
The Total Contact thread has been moved to "Member Reviews." For those who make the plunge and order the product when available, please post your results there.
Steve ... I moved your comments to the "Member Reviews" forum.
Frank |
^^^
Its nice to see that so many are enjoying the SR fuses.
For those interested, the Total Contact will be available through Audiogon starting tomorrow morning according to the developer Tim Mrock. Like the Blue fuses, the TC is a real game changer, only even more so.
Frank |
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Geoffkait sez: " Whoa! Hey! What! What’s up with all the name calling and graphic violent imagery?" For God’s sake Geoff, did you read George’s post? Tim Mrock, the developer of Constant Contact, has dedicated his life and monetary resources into developing a great product, and George blatantly tells people, without knowing anything about the product, NOT TO BUY IT. What can anyone glean from George’s statement other than some type of criminal mentality at work here? At the very least, George is revealing a character flaw, most likely an infantile ego that needs to be massaged by the destruction of others. I suspect that these bullying tactics are carried by George throughout his everyday life. It must be a real pleasure being married to the guy. George ... you owe Tim Mrock an apology. Are you man enough to step up to the plate?? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here’s an honest testimonial from A’gon member Steve Fleschler who is benefiting from the Total Contact: "I’ve reached the 4 week point in application of TC to only my interconnects (it’ll be another 3 weeks for the rest of the system). All of a sudden there is an abundance of micro-details in the music, voices are more legible and the entire sound became more dynamic. My 5 way dynamic speakers remind me of when I had electrostatics in terms of quiet detailed musical sounds (my wife hated the Monolith IIIs 20 years ago when we first met because of the limited sound stage, dynamics, beaming highs and limited bass at the time).
With the addition of more details and air, there is a greater dynamic range which can be disconcerting. I set the volume for the loudest peak sound now rather than the quieter sounds because I got rudely blasted on two recordings by fortissimos. I also hear a lot more chatter by musicians in jazz recordings. The significantly increased intelligibility of singers has me concentrating and enjoying the lyrics more.
This is my third post on the benefits of TC. It keeps getting more interesting and musically better.
I have a suggestion. Buy it, use only enough to treat your main audio system (which should be under 10% of a syringe). If you don’t like it, clean your contacts off and resell the remaining 90% on Audiogon or Ebay for half price. You’ll only be out about $150, or have a friend try it, or try it on your video equipment. The only way to know how good it is in your audio system is to try it based on this forum’s positive experiences. Don’t post negative comments unless you’ve tried it."
And I will guarantee that the full benefits have not been reached yet by Steve. While there is a nice jump in clarity at the four week period, its nothing compared with what happens at eight weeks. Once again, for the open and fair minded among us, here’s the link to the product: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/listening-room-electrical-contact-enhancer-2018-01-17-systemsHappy listening, guys ... Frank |
^^^ Nonsense, George. Total Contact is NOT a "contact cleaner." "Just get a $10 spray can of well researched can of contact cleaner instead, for basically the same results." Okay George ... state your case. What EXACTLY were your results when you pasted your entire system with Total Contact? Spell it out George. Unless you can tell us what YOUR results were, you owe Tim Mrock an apology, assuming of course that you are man enough to come forward with an apology. Frank |
^^^ So, you want to toss around terms like "drama queen" without investigating why my response to George was as it was? That makes no sense at all. Nope, he wasn’t baiting me. He’s attempting to destroy a lot of hard work and monetary investment by the producer of Total Contact. That’s my take until such time that George either explains what is intent is, or he apologizes to Tim Mrock for attempting to burn his business down. Frank PS: Again, for those interested in ordering Total Contact, here’s the link: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/listening-room-electrical-contact-enhancer-2018-01-17-systems |
Oh,and one more thing. For the Videophiles out there ... Total Contact will improve the sound and picture of your video system as well.
Frank |
georgehifi sez: " More audio snake oil, forget paying $300!!!! for what is basically contact cleaner .." ^^^ That gets the award for the most uninformed, ignorant and stupid comment about the Total Contact to date. Georgehifi hasn’t seen the product in person, touched the product, smelled the product, used the product, nor has he ever heard what the product can to to enhance the SQ of a stereo system. So Georgehifi, how about stating your intent in making such a stupid statement? Are you just another shill for a competitor? Jealous that its not YOUR product? Envy much, George? Are you an arsonist like a few others on the site, hell bent on destroying a small businessman’s business? Here’s a knife George ... go ahead, stab Tim Mrock in the back with it. Slice deep cuts in his wrists and take your perverted glee in watching him bleed out. State your intent George .... I dare you ... Frank PS: For the reasonable minds on the site: For the price of two SR Blue fuses, you can buy a new product that will make a MAJOR improvement in your audio and video systems. Once again, here’s the link to get started: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/listening-room-electrical-contact-enhancer-2018-01-17-systems |
^^^ mattspl ... 1. It looks as though you’ve coated the surface of a contact with a thin layer of pencil lead. 2. It leaves no mess. Easily removable at any stage with alcohol and a cotton swab like a Q-tip. 3. Actually there is improvement beyond the 8 week period. True, there’s a huge jump in SQ at 4, and especially at 8 weeks, but it seems to continue to improve beyond that point Can’t say if it ever dries "fully." Same addictive quality as the fuses ... but I honestly believe that Total Contact is more of an improvement than the Blue fuses were ... and as you already know, that's saying something. Go here to order: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/listening-room-electrical-contact-enhancer-2018-01-17-systemsFrank |
^^^ Total Contact isn't a "cleaner" like Deoxit. I've used Deoxit for years along with ProGold to clean and enhance my connections. Total Contact serves a different purpose altogether. Apples and oranges.
Frank |
tel ...
I've been testing the TC for about a year now. The ONLY downside so far has been the effort to apply the paste to the connections. Its a bit time consuming.
So far there has been no degradation to the sound over time. Quite the contrary actually. It seems to be the contact enhancer that just keeps on giving.
While there is an initial improvement in SQ, as stated before, there are major break-throughs at 4 weeks and again at 8 weeks, both of which have to be heard to be believed.
Try to keep an open mind. The reviews from A'gon members are just starting to come in.
For more details, go to the "member reviews" forum and check it out.
Frank |
Not me ... I have the entire system done up in SR Blue fuses. Big jump in SQ over the Black fuses.
Frank |
^^^
Exactly mattspl ...
I wouldn't want to be without the SR Blue fuses in the system. While the SR Black fuses are really good, the Blue's are in a different league altogether.
Try a tube of Tim Mrock's "Total Contact." You'll think you have Blue fuses on steroids. No joke. :-)
Frank |
^^^ So, the Blue fuses didn't work for you?
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Dlcockrum (Dave)
Just wanted you to know that I finally got around to ordering this CD. Very, very nice Dave. Robert loves it too. Thanks for the recommendation. Frank |
^^^ *lol* .... Thanks Dave ...
A 50 year career working in 100% commissioned sales alters one's skin thickness. Mine's now about two feet thick. Besides, I don't cater to bullies.
I believe the intent was to try to destroy a businessman (Tim Mrock) and his product. Why else would these guys be advising members here to not buy the product? Either they are competitors, work for competitors, or ... they are just exhibiting that, which Lenin had an apt term for ... "Useful Idiots."
Thanks again for the music recommendation. Debussy set in a jazz mode is quite interesting. My daughters and grand daughter were educated in Catholic schools. One of the nuns in their high school, a music teacher who played the violin superbly, once told me that if Mozart were alive today he would be composing and playing jazz.
Frank |
^^^ Thanks for your thoughts tel555. I really do appreciate them. Respectfully ... While it may appear to be over the top to you, unlike those few who’ve I’ve asked many times what their intent is/was, and never received the courtesy of an answer. I will state my intent very cogently ... My intent is to drive them off of these forums. They are people who take some kind of perverse pleasure in hurting others. I consider it to be a form of insanity. For over three years now, they have had nothing positive to say. They have followed me from forum to forum spewing destructive invective and personally attacking me. Read through the threads and you’ll see what I mean. Am I supposed to just sit back and take it? Nope, not me. Every time I’ve attacked them, it was in response to them attacking me. Sorry man, but I don’t lay down for bullies. In my opinion, defending oneself is an honorable pursuit. Agreed? Its one thing to be a keyboard warrior sitting across from a computer screen. Its another thing to say what they say face to face. My prediction is they wouldn’t dare. In fact, they’re probably polite and respectful as can be in person. You know, the meek nerdy types that flood every audio show. The type that won’t look you in the eyes when they talk or shake your hand. The internet is their chance to roar and rid themselves of their frustrations. Seriously, I appreciate your thoughts. What would you do if you were constantly bullied by THE FEW same actors? Would you fight back, or would you just sit back taking the beat-down? I’d be interested in hearing what you think their intent was. If it wasn’t an attempt to ruin a business, what was it? Do you think it was just a few folks with a screw loose taking pleasure in deriding others? I certainly can’t call what they’ve done "sanity." Not by any means. - "People like to goad others, to taunt them, to pour scorn on things they don’t understand."
This is what I’m alluding to and you’ve nailed it. . ^^^ That is insanity. At any rate, the psychology of it all makes for some very interesting conversation, does it not? Final thought ... Tim’s product is way too good to pass up just because you disagree with what I have to say here on the forum. Try to separate the two. 1) Tim has a great product. 2) I'm just a guy who, when finding a new piece of equipment, or a new tweak that really works, wants to share the information with others. That's it in a nut shell. Hang in there ... Frank |
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simguy ...
Thank you for the kind words. Glad you're enjoying the Blue fuses. Who knew! Anytime I can get a major upgrade in SQ without upgrading the electronics, I'm in for it.
Also, the TC is a wise move. Even better than the Blue fuses IMO. I still cannot believe the improvements afforded by these two items. Oh, and Herbie's tube dampeners shouldn't be overlooked either.
There seems to be no limit to what the good tweaks can do for a highly resolving system. SR's HFT's are no slouches either. Man, that was a major improvement in terms of a room treatment. Still don't know how they work, only that they do. :-)
Frank |
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Usually when a post is deleted by a Mod, there is a notification sent to the poster as to the reasons why.
Here's a few topics that will get a post deleted:
1. Politics.
2. Religion.
3. Personal attacks.
4. Posts that have nothing to do with audio.
There's probably more.
Frank |
^^^
Personal attacks do not show "strength." They reveal weaknesses in one's arguments. No one is advocating that opposing opinions should be banned. Not at all. We learn through the give an take in our discussions.
Frank |
Quick! Close the patent office. According to Mr. EE above, everything that’s worth being invented has already been invented.
There is nothing more pathetic than a mind slammed shut.
Frank |
^^^
My last three posts have been removed. Why? Because I called for a crowbar to pry open the slammed shut brains of georgehifi and shadorne? I promise, I'd be gentle and compassionate in the brain opening. Its very clear that these two need professional help.
Frank |
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Georgehifi sez ... - "And if those fuse froth’ers went to the sites like DIYAudio.com where they (the gods) hang out, and started talking about fuses they way they do here, they would get toyed around with then spat out severely once they tried of them."
Perhaps you'd be better off hanging out at DIYAudio George. Birds of a feather and all that jazz... frank
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- This is simple to prove, who is this audio engineer and and is company/credentials, also you could get him to comment here, if he’ll back up what he told you.
^^^ What makes you think Steve owes you anything at all George? He doesn’t owe you a GD thing. Tens of thousands of SR fuses sold. Tens of thousands of satisfied customers internationally, and yet ... you just KNOW, based upon nothing, that aftermarket fuses are bunk. The only thing that’s bunk here George is your constant attempts to derail good products. Frank |
^^^ So George ... What was your impression of Steve's two systems prior to applying the SR products ... and after applying the SR products? Obviously in order to comment with any credibility at all, when you did the A/B comparisons with Steve's system you took copious notes, did you not? How about sharing your measurements, spread sheets and white papers? You DID take notes, did you not?
Frank |
I installed a new SR Blue fuse in my Grover CD player this morning. While I was playing music afterward, I noticed something was a little off. The sound was good, but I had lost that pinpoint imaging. I took the cover off of the player and reversed the fuse. Walla ... everything snapped into focus. It was more musical, more three dimensional, more organic and much more enjoyable.
To call the proper direction of a fuse BS, is in fact BS.
Again Georgie ... find another site. In case you've missed it, folks around here aren't laying down for your egotistical rants anymore. SCRAM!
Frank |
