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The new Synergistic Research BLUE fuses ....

New SR BLUE fuse thread ...

I’ve replaced all 5 of the SR BLACK fuses in my system with the new SR BLUE fuses. Cold, out of the box, the BLUE fuses stomped the fully broken-in SR BLACKS in a big way. As good as the SR BLACK fuses were/are, especially in comparison with the SR RED fuses, SR has found another break-through in fuses.

1. Musicality ... The system is totally seamless at this point. Its as if there is no system in the room, only a wall to wall, front to back and floor to ceiling music presentation with true to life tonality from the various instruments.

2. Extension ... I’ve seemed to gain about an octave in low bass response. This has the effect of putting more meat on the bones of the instruments. Highs are very extended, breathing new life into my magic percussion recordings. Vibes, chimes, bells, and triangles positioned in the rear of the orchestra all have improved. I’ve experienced no roll-off of the highs what so ever with the new BLUE fuses. Just a more relaxed natural presentation.

3. Dynamics ... This is a huge improvement over the BLACK fuses. Piano and vibes fans ... this is fantastic.

I have a Japanese audiophile CD of Flamenco music ... the foot stomps on the stage, the hand clapping and the castanets are present like never before. Want to hear natural sounding castanets? Get the BLUE fuses.

4. Mid range ... Ha! Put on your favorite Ben Webster album ... and a pair of adult diapers. Play Chris Connor singing "All About Ronnie," its to die for.

Quick .... someone here HAS to buy this double album. Its a bargain at this price. Audiophile sound, excellent performance by the one and only Chris Connor. Yes, its mono ... but so what? Its so good you won’t miss the stereo effects. If you’re the lucky person who scores this album, please post your results here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ULTRASONIC-CLEAN-The-Finest-Of-CHRIS-CONNOR-Bethlehem-Jazz-1975-NM-UNPLAYED-...

Overall impressions:

Where the RED fuses took about 20 hours to sound their best, and the BLACK fuses took upwards of 200 hours of total break-in, the BLUE fuses sounded really good right out of the box ... and that’s without doing anything about proper directional positioning. Not that the BLUE fuses don’t need breaking in, they do. The improvement continues through week three. Its a gradual break-in thing where each listening session is better than the last.

Everything I described above continues to break new ground in my system as the fuses continue breaking in. Quite honestly, I find it difficult to tear myself away from the system in order to get things done. Its truly been transformed into a magical music machine. With the expenditure of $150.00 and a 30 day return policy there’s really nothing to lose. In my system, its like upgrading to a better pre amp, amp, CD player or phono stage. Highly recommended.

Kudos to Ted Denney and the entire staff at SR. Amazing stuff, guys. :-)

Frank

PS: If you try the SR BLUE fuses, please post your results here. Seems the naysayers, the Debbie Downers and Negative Nellie’s have hijacked the original RED fuse thread. A pox on their houses and their Pioneer receivers.

Frank



128x128oregonpapa

Showing 35 responses by davidpritchard

davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 

I went to RMAF this weekend and listened to the Synergistic Research Blue fuse equipped system. I thought it was a fabulous sound. The ability to hear improved front to back layers of sound really impressed. Backup  vocalist were positioned both left and right but also closer or farther away from the lead vocalist in ways I have not experienced.

Bottom line is I have 15 Blue fuses on the way to my house.

Tom it is wonderful you are creating improved endpins  for cellos. Since I am on the Board of Director's for Grammy winning cellist Zuill Bailey, I do get to experience a lot of cello music. His 1693 "Mateo Gofriller" cello has never been cut down to 7/8 size as so many of the era have ( including  Pablo Casals). A fabulous big and rich sounding cello.

I have always wondered how Mateo would respond to an audiophile inspired endpin. Maybe someday!

David Pritchard

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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
Tom:
I  suggested to Zuill that he should consider your endpin upgrade two years ago, but at this point he is still thinking about it. His cello does have a magnificent tone and Zuill has the power to bring this instrument to life.
I did get him to try a set of strings that Synergistic Research Quantum Tunneled !  This was part of an experiment with his graduate students to encourage "thinking outside the box".  And yes all could hear a difference with the treated strings.
I would love to hear a before and after with your endpin some day.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
Another well thought of amp brand that responds beautifully to the Synergistic Research Blue fuse is Pass Labs. I have now had the Blue fuses in the two different Pass amps and both have experienced the sonic changes that Jafreeman so well described.                                                                                                                                                                        Improved detail with greater texture and harmonics, a greater sense of alive music, and more emotionally involving. That is the response I get with the fuses in place.                                                                                                                                                                                                     The Synergistic Research Blue fuse is such a fun and great experiment to do to ones audio system. If you do not like them send them back and get your money refunded.

David Pritchard

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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
Latest equipment to show significant improvement when replacing the stock fuse with a Synergistic Research Blue fuse:
Pass Labs First Watt F7 amplifier
PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC
PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport

My mother celebrated her 94th birthday today listening to a great sounding audio system that utilizes SR Blue fuses. "The improvement is immediate and not subtle" she told me.

I got a meaningful kiss on the cheek from my mother and the joy of sharing her company while listening to great sounding music.

A very nice day indeed!

DGP
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
My Marantz Sa11S2 SACD player has 6 fuses. I replaced one fuse at a time and also listened with each fuse in both directions. The next fuse was added only after the player had been on continuous play for one week. Each fuse added improved the over all sound. Even the fuse for the laser circuit.

I do think that replacing the fuses in an audio system and upgrading the A/C wall outlets should be the first upgrades one undertakes to improving a system's sound.

And they are one of the few upgrades that come with a 30 day trial and money back if not happy with the sonic change.

I can now  pop the lid of Marantz players and PS Audio DAC's faster than a NASCAR pit crew can change a tire.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I wonderful video by Paul McGowan - owner of PS Audio. He understands and can hear the difference fuses make in the products he manufactures. Thank you LAK for the link to the video.

I recently changed my Mother's DAC to a PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC and  Perfect Wave Transport. After a 168 hour break in, each stock ceramic fuse (which itself is an upgrade over a common 10 cent fuse ), was replaced with a Synergistic Research Blue fuse. As Paul McGowan experienced with a German made audiophile  fuse in his system, in Mother's system with the Synergistic Research Blue fuses there was an immediate and significant sonic improvement. A less digital, more relaxed, richer harmonic texture was audible. Then over the following week the sound continued to improve.

So if you want to give yourself a wonderful Christmas present - order some Synergistic Blue fuses .  If you have a music lover in your life go a bit further, order the Blue fuses and personally install them for your loved one. 

I have already received my Christmas present . Seeing the joy on my Mother's face as she listened to Chet Atkins with the new fuses in place was truly special. Having her then say " Thank You " and giving me a kiss on the cheek was priceless and will be forever cherished.

So take the time to risk the cost of return postage (about $2.80 ) and give yourself an easily returnable Christmas present. 

Best wishes for a meaningful Christmas.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I know for sure that Synergistic Research does. 

I believe Audio Horizon does also.
Audio Magic makes audio grade fuses that have good sonic reports.

Before buying a non Synergistic Research fuse check with the seller to see what their return policy is.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
simguy:
I am glad you are enjoying the Synergistic Research Blue fuse. My horn system normally is powered by the  Art Audio PX-25 amp that puts out 6 watts a channel.

I  decided to try a solid state amp and picked a Pass Labs INT 60 from Mark at Reno Hi Fi.  Putting a Blue fuse in this Pass Lab amp is a major upgrade . The amp is now much more musical sounding. Pass Lab amps and SR Blue fuses are a wonderful combination.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
OEM-Wheels:
The fuse did not work for you and there is no need to try it for a longer period of time. Send it back to your SR dealer and you will get a prompt refund. No problem and no fuss.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I just returned from my Mother's apartment where the music is certainly sounding wonderful. All components have Synergistic Research Blue fuses and all electrical connections have been treated with Total Contact by Perfect Path Technologies. If a Blue fuse fails I would rather it blows at a less than maximum value and save the equipment. The PS Audio DAC and Transport are generating very nice music. Paul McGowan of PS Audio is a believer in audio grade fuses affecting the sound and has stated so at his PS Audio forum.


David Pritchard 


davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
Do not forget to try the fuse in both directions. You do not need to wait until the fuse is fully broken in to listen and decide if one direction sounds better. Quick and easy will do it.


David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I believe you will hear a significant improvement with the Synergistic Research Blue fuses. I tried the WA Chips on several fuses and other locations and eventually removed the chips. The sonic gains in some areas were overshadowed by a loss of dynamics and aliveness.

They sound good when first installed but even better after 10 days.


David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
audiosens:

With your excellent equipment I do hope you will try the Blue fuses. I do think you will be very happy with the sonic improvement. And they come with a 30 day return policy so if the change is not what you like send them back.

My three pass Lab amps all sound better with the Blue fuses installed. 

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I have an Oppo 203 DVD player with the power supply upgrade by Oppo Mod.com. In additional to a higher grade transformer and higher grade capacitors, the new power board has a removable fuse. I changed out the HiFi fuse supplied with the mod to a Synergistic Research Blue fuse and yes indeed there was improvement in both audio and video performance.

I am a big supporter of these third generation audio fuses like the  Synergistic Research Blue fuses. Trying them is certainly a lot cheaper (return postage is about $3.00) than many other mod-tweeks, and one also gets to overcome the fear of opening up their equipment for inspection. Yes I  was indeed nervous when I also replaced the fuse in the Pass Lab amp. But I am glad I did. The SR Blue fuse allows the amp to sound better than the original Little Fuse did. Paul McGowan who is president of PS Audio has stated at his web site that audio grade fuses make a difference. I agree.


The PS Audio.com site has several good sources of information without a lot of hyperbole.


David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
slaw:
Yes the Blue fuse has directionality. But you do not need to 'Break' in the fuse for 10 days and then Re- Break in  the fuse another 10 days  by reinstalling it in the other direction. Keep it simple. Put it in. Listen to the same track several times. Reverse fuse direction. Relisten.  Pick the direction to leave the fuse on which way sounded best to you.

Have fun with this experiment.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
docknow:
Another possible upgrade path is to take advantage of another of the Synergistic Research September specials and to buy a SR Blue outlet and get a free blue fuse. Adding these two upgrades made a big difference in my system. And the cost was less than many of my tube rolling purchases.

The SR September specials are listed at The Cable Company website and are available through all Synergistic Research dealers.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
To uberwaltz and slaw:

I do hope you will indeed give the Blues a try. One of the wonderful properties about both the Blue fuses and the Blue outlets is the sound is really good within  24 hours of being installed. They do reach a further improvement by the 10 day mark, but I did not experience the common roller coaster affect that many audio changes cause.
Plus if you do not like what they do send them back!

I think it is a fun experiment to do.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
slaw:
Synergistic Research does recommend the signal path to go in the direction of the writing on the fuse. From the letter "S" and towards the letter "R". But for many pieces of equipment it is an easy and quick experiment to take a two minute listen in each direction and leave the fuse in the direction it sounds best. Then there is no second guessing.


uberwaltz:

I think you will greatly enjoy the Blue outlet. I am sure your Brooklyn DAC sounds good with the iFi power upgrade.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I think you will benefit from the Blue outlet going to the CPT. 


David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
Uberwaltz:
Congratulations on getting the Blue package. I think you will appreciate the improved musically and decreased sense of grain. I found it to a very worthwhile upgrade. Remember to try the fuse in both directions.
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
uberwaltz:
Actually a very nice description of the fuse's sonic effect. This will improve by day 3 and reach it's full benefit on day 10. For me the sound becomes richer with more complex textures and more emotionally involving.


David Pritchard

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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
slaw:
I like your slow and deliberate approach. I think your description of the changes a Blue fuse gives is quite correct. Enjoy a weekend of better sounding music.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
slaw:
A very nice description of what the Synergistic Research Blue outlet does for a system. And you are correct - this is just the beginning of the sonic improvements that will occur. It will increase that sense of delicacy and also the harmonic textures will become richer and more complex.

I am glad you gave the Blue outlet a try!

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
slaw:
I am glad you are liking the Synergistic Research Blue Outlet. The combination of increased clarity with a reduction of grain is very satisfying to me. I think you will hear a further sense of ease to the flow of music on about day 10. 
I just ordered two more.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
Pass Labs certainly make some wonderful products. The PassX350.5 amplifier does not use fuses but instead uses a circuit breaker.
Many of the smaller Pass amps such as my Pass Labs INT-60amp, their headphone amp HP-1, and the First Watt 7 do use fuses which are easily removed (as uberwaltz3 described). I have upgraded these three amps with the Synergistic Research Blue fuses and am very happy with the sonic improvement. The sense of increased soundstage depth and a more relaxed flow to the music makes the Blue fuse worth trying.

David Pritchard



davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I have done this experiment! Furutech fuse versus the Synergistic Research Blue fuse.
Both are an improvement over stock fuse.
The Blue fuse will give you a sense of “more”. More complex harmonics to notes, more 3D soundstage, and more emotion to the music. The Furutech is more analytical, dry, precise. 

I do think in a system that already has the sonic imprint that a Furutech R outlet imparts, the SR Blue fuse would be an excellent choice.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
In reguards to improving CD players and DVD players, I am having positive results using the Machina Dynamic Dark Matter product. Easy to apply. No break in needed to evaluate. 30 day return policy.

A fun 10 minute experiment to perform.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
discopants:
A very nice write up of what the Synergistic Research Blue Fuse does for a system. The music is simply more enjoyable to listen to.

parabellum:
I do hope you will try the Blue Fuse as I think you will be very happy with the improvement you hear. And if for whatever reason you are not happy with the fuse send it back.
David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
parabellum:
It is wonderful you are willing to experiment to obtain superior sound. I have tried some of the HiFi Tuning fuses in the past, and I do think the Synergistic Research Blue fuses are much better. I  think you will hear more music with less fatigue. They will sound good after 24 hours, very good at three days and will be fully settled in on day 10. That then gives you 20 days of listening to decide if they stay in your system.
Have fun.
David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I have done just that and was glad that I upgrade to the Blue fuse.
Order one and give it a try. After installing you should hear a difference after 24 hours and the final break in will occur on day 10. This still gives you 20 days to decide if you like the sound. My Blue fuse stayed in the sub. Any doubts send it back for a refund.

David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
foster_9:
Your post is a great description of the sonic changes I heard when I upgraded my Pass Lab amplifier to a Synergistic Research Blue fuse.
I think in 10 days your fuse will be fully settled in and you will hear further improvement. 
David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
Well I do have Pass Lab amplifiers. The INT-60 integrated amp, the Headphone amp HP-1, and a First Watt F7. Three systems and all sounding quite good. All have Synergistic Research Blue fuses and I have had zero problems. All benefited significantly from the installation of Blue fuses. I have discussed fuses with team Pass Labs but not directly with Nelson. No aftermarket fuse warning were given to me.

I would not take a sonic step backward and put the original fuses back in.
David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I would try the Synergistic Research Blue fuses in the digital player first.

David Pritchard 
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
I believe you are going to be very happy with the sonic improvements with all the fuses upgraded to the Synergistic Blue fuse. I am very happy with my systems improved performance after going all Blue!
David Pritchard
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davidpritchard
866 posts
 
parabellum:
I believe it is a good choice to use the 6.3 Amp fuse in your amplifier. I have used the same approach that you suggest in my two Pass Lab amplifiers and my Pass Lab Integrated amplifier.

I am very pleased with the improvement that The Blue fuses made.

David Pritchard
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