^^^ Thanks for posting.
Did you buy the Chris Connor album? :-)
That added realism you mentioned can become uncanny with the proper attention to detail in our systems.
On the flamenco music ... I’m very familiar with the sound of castanets as my ex was a flamenco dancer as a teenager and she can play the castanets. They are made of a very dense mahogany wood and have their own unique sound. They are dead on correct with the BLUE fuses.
Frank |
^^^ I’m getting the same as you with percussion. I had my friend Robert over two nights ago for a listening session. He brought over a classical performance featuring kettle drums. His comment was ... "boy, its nice to hear kettle drums sound like live kettle drums for a change." All drums, from bongos to the big bass drums seem to have that accurate skin tone about them. While listening to a jazz trio for instance where brushes are used on the snare drum, you can actually hear in what direction the drummer is moving the brushes. Rim shots and other big whacks are totally present.
"Seeing into" a performance is exactly it. There are a lot of things that allow a system to perform like this. The SR BLUE fuses contribute a great step toward it.
Wish you were local Nonoise ... I’d like to have you over for a listening session. :-)
Frank
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^^^ Its not so much the system ... its all of the things that have been done to maximize the system. Lots of time has been spent on getting the room right and eliminating mico-vibrations, micro arcing and tons of good tweaks that really work. When that low level smear caused by the audio demons is eliminated, one can really appreciate what some of these tweaks do. The new SR BLUE fuse is a case in point.
Frank |
In the meantime my magic music machine is sounding better than ever. Kudos to SR.
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For those of you who feel "ripped off" keep in mind these two things: first, the BLACK fuses have been on the market for around two years. Second, we live in a country that enjoys a free market economy where competition is fierce. It behooves the producers to continue with R&D, improving their products. This is how a producer stays ahead of their competition. It’s no different for SR and Ted Denney. The positive side is the consumer continues to benefit with the improved products. If you truly feel ripped off, get your head wrapped around the concept that you are involved in a hobby that is continually in the upgrade mode. If you can’t deal with it, either don’t buy the upgrades or find a new hobby.
For the rest of us, we'll gladly pay the price to get closer to the Holy Grail. .. i.e., reproducing live music in our homes.
Frank
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Jay ...
Sorry man, I can’t feel sorry for them other than their bad timing. That’s kind of the point of my last post.
We all know that we’re involved in a VERY expensive hobby where upgrades are the name of the game so to speak. These fuses, in the whole scheme of things, aren’t the worst of it.
When I bought my CD7 CD player from ARC ($10,000 retail cost) it was only a few months after I got it that ARC announced the Special Edition upgrade. So, I shipped it back and got the upgrade. Same thing with my ARC Ref-75. Bought it new and a short time later they came out with the SE version using KT 150 tubes. I sold my Ref-75 here on A’gon and bought the SE version. It’s just part of life if one wants to keep up with current technology in the hobby. So no, I don’t feel sorry for the holders of the Black fuses. I’d say either keep them as spares or sell them on Ebay or A’gon and jump on the Blue fuses. From the results I’m getting from the Blue fuses it’s worth taking it in the shorts a bit.
Frank
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Jay ...
If you were the manufacturer of a popular product with a solid international dealership network would you release information in advance to the end consumer about a new and better replacement product and stick your faithful dealers with a crap load of old product?
What’s better ... pissing off a few customers that should be expecting upgrades anyway or an entire dealership network? Its called being between a rock and a hard place.
Brace yourselves guys ... the new Purple fuse will be out in a couple of years. :-)
Frank |
Jay ...
If SR released the Purple fuse next month I'd hold off on buying them ... while shaking my head at the same time. Two years from now I'd be expecting it.
Personally I don't want SR or any other manufacturer to stand still, rest on their laurels and get stale. Even though I'd be perfectly happy with the system as it sits, I look forward to my next tweak. How about you?
By the way, right now I'm listening to Willie Nelson's "Phases and Stages." Willie's in the room. :=)
Frank |
Ah very good guys. I was hoping this new thread would be more positive and more on point. And ... it is. :-)
imgoodwithtools ...
There is no way that you're a Debbie Downer. Not even close. You're one of the good guys. Your reports are always on exactly what you hear in your system. Honesty is always appreciated.
kykat ...
I've had that Chris Connor double album for many years. Its one of my favorite albums in the collection. Like I said, its mono ... but you won't mind a bit. In fact, you're gonna love it. I hope its as mint as the seller says it is.
Jay23 ..
That Willie Nelson CD was really great, however after he left there was a lingering strange aroma wafting through the room. I can't quite put my finger on it. :-)
Frank |
gbmcleod ...
Wow! Thanks for the detailed report/review. Excellent stuff for sure.
Just as a point of interest, I saw
the 5th Dimension years ago in Las Vegas. They were amazing. I'll never forget how great they sounded in a live performance.
Frank |
Anyone experimenting with the new SR Blue fuses yet? How about our friends in Taiwan? Are you getting delivery yet?
The listening session tonight was the best yet.
Frank |
jaybe sez: "I gotta wonder how much SR is paying the OP."
I just cashed my huge check, dude. I’m gonna vacation in Hawaii.
Go to the "Red fuse thread" to see the pictures. No need for you to come back to this thread. No need at all.
Bye ...
Frank
PS: Tommylion ... Thanks for the perfect response. :-) |
Dave ... I found acoustic bass to be fantastic with the Black fuses. The Blue fuses take it to an entirely different level ... super fantastic. If you don't have it already, here's a must have CD collection. Its a four disc set. The opening bass lines on cut one of disc four is worth the price of the entire thing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Giuffre-Jimmy-Jim-Hall-Trio-Complete-Studio-Recordings-CD-NEW-/391890420798?...Its definitely a demo CD for demonstrating how well stand-up bass can be recreated in the home environment. I really cranked the volume up last night and played an organ cut from a demo quality CD I have. I swear, I'm getting at least another octave of deep bass due to the Blue fuses. Frank |
a2501 .... The secret tweak is ready to go. An instructional DVD will be coming with it. The DVD is under development. Believe me, the wait will be worth it. Dave ... The SR level III power cords were a revelation for me. They replaced some very fine PC’ s custom built by Dave Magnan. If you’re familiar with Dave’s work, you know they were good. On the synergy thing ... I have a combination of SR’s PC’s and Von Gaylord’s "Return of the Legend" IC’s and Speaker cables. http://vongaylordaudio.com/beta/cabling/This combination, plus the new Blue fuses allow me to hear exactly what you’re describing on brass instruments. The brass on the big orchestral stuff sounds "burnished." And that’s what I hear while attending live concerts. But its not just the brass that sounds right. All instruments have a natural and relaxed character about them. Just as I hear live. I can crank the volume up and there’s no "cringe" factor. Low, low distortion I would guess. Frank |
Lalitk ...
On my system the bass is about 4 feet behind the right speaker and a little to the left. The sax is about the same behind and to the right of the left speaker. Good jazz. Glad you like it.
Frank |
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^^^
Nah! Ridiculous would be judging someone else's results without hearing the results for yourself and then posting your uninformed opinion on these pages.
Frank |
Bottom line ... this hobby is supposed to be about fun.
Frank
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jkuc ...
Ah, ha ... I see the problem. Its cultural.
Okay jkuc, all is forgiven ... even though there's nothing to forgive. :-)
Just wondering though ... if I had possession of a meter that would measure bass response, would I be "competent" then? :-)
Frank |
Al ... If I was confused before, now I’m really kerplunked. :-) Mapman ... If I had an extra BLUE fuse, I’d send it to ya. Welcome back. :-) Guyz ... One of the major problems in communicating via keyboard over the Internet is that we cannot see facial expressions, hand gestures or any other indicators of emotion. It makes it easy to misunderstand sometimes. Sorry if I offended anyone. Robert’s coming over tonight for a listening session. He found a mint stereo version of this today at a garage sale and is gifting it to me: http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEPHEN-KATES-Cellist-LP-RCA-Victor-LM-2940-SEALED-Tchaikovsky-Bach-/1227057...I already have two stereo copies, one really good and one really noisy. The artist, Stephen Kates is a wonderful cello player. The pressings are hit and miss with some sounding better than others. The best ones are demo quality. I wouldn’t mind trying a CD of it ... if it were ever released on CD. Be sure to look for the stereo version. Here's a must-have Stephen Kates CD that someone should jump on. Its one of those recordings that will really test your system. Sound is amazing and the asking price is a real bargain: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stephen-Kates-Carolyn-Pope-Kobler-Rachmaninoff-Sonata-in-G-minor-Op-19-CD-/3...Happy listening ... Frank |
Last night's listening session included a 10" vinyl recording of vocalist Chris Connor that Robert brought over. Recorded in 1952, and still in near mint condition, Chris Connor's voice and supporting instrumentals were simply amazing. When I hear recordings like that it brings to mind what this hobby is all about. Its the music. Simply a stunning trip back in time.
Frank
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Excellent comments.
By "Continuous" do you mean "seamless?"
Frank.
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fleschler ... Your analysis of what you heard at 3 hours prompted me to look at my notes. Here is what I jotted down: At three hours ... 1. Much lower noise floor.. 2. Better bass extention. 3. Improved inner detail - no loss of tonality. 4. Articulation in voices much improved - more human. 6. Excellent tonal balance. 7. Improved dynamics. Looks like were on the same page with these new Blue fuses. I went digging through the CD archive this morning for something to play with the morning coffee. I found this gem ... and I have to say, someone here has to jump on this CD. Its just a plain old Red book CD, but man ’O man, is it ever a sonic delight and great music. Its a demo disc. I found one on Ebay and its just sitting there waiting for your credit card number. At the asking price, its a bargain too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHELLY-MANNE-Bells-Are-Ringing-CD-1996-Original-Jazz-Classics-/162704656209?...Frank |
No roll off in the highs here at all. In fact, just the opposite. Very extended and very sweet. Everything makes a difference, so I'm thinking maybe a good combination is the Blue fuses with a compliment of Herbie's tube dampeners.
Frank |
Lalitk
Off with the ARC rubber dampeners and on with the Herbie's dampeners. The improvement is not subtle at all.
Frank |
jkuc ...
At this point my system it totally "exalted" thanks to the SR Blue fuses. :-)
Frank
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If I could describe the Blue fuses in a few words, I’d say they put a lot more meat on the bones. The textures are much more of what I hear in live music. Robert has been bringing over some of his collection of ten-inch classical records from the 40’s and early 50’s. Some are dead silent and spectacular. I wouldn’t call them "audiophile" recordings, but man ’O man are they ever enjoyable from a pure musical standpoint. Beautiful covers too. Robert continues to amaze with his knowledge of recorded music .... performances and all. Last night I dug into the vault and dug up a Japanese pressing of Sonny Stitt playing Bird. Charlie Parker was in the room. Its available on Ebay in both audiophile pressings, standard mono, stereo and CD’s. If you like great bebop jazz, Parker in particular, this is highly recommended. Go for the stereo version: : https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xstitt+plays+b...Frank |
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Tools ..
Good. Looking forward to your next post. What fuses did the new ones replace?
Frank |
And then it won't be long 'till the "secret tweak" will have it's unveiling. Hold on to your hats and stay tuned. :-) |
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Why would any non-technical person care about HOW a fuse works when the only thing we're after are the results? Conversely, why would any technical person care about results when the aim is to understand why? |
I'm looking forward to tonight's listening session. Robert's coming over and I'm hoping he's bringing some of those mint mono 1940's 10" vinyl gems he keeps pulling out from his stash of "records that never leave the house." You really have to hear these records to appreciate them. Most are dead silent. And yes, they are dated and mono, but the performances and recording quality are amazing for their time. The guys that produced these records had no idea of what they had.
Frank. |
dbarger ....
The original RED fuses were paid for by me at full retail. I even paid state sales tax and shipping because of the excellent service I've gotten from Highend Electronics. (oh damn, there he goes again being a shill for Highend Electronics!). Could have ordered the fuses from out of state and saved the sales tax and shipping charges, but I didn't.
The Black fuses were paid for by me at full retail including sales tax and shipping. HIghend Electronics has earned my loyalty.
I was a beta tester for the Blue fuses and extremely grateful for the opportunity. I reported what I heard IN MY SYSTEM ... nothing more and nothing less. Sometimes opportunity knocks at the door and its up to us to take advantage of it or not.
One more thing dbarger .... I am also beta testing the "secret and elusive super tweak." We're almost done and approaching a release date. Has nothing to do with SR .... and its fantastic. I'm on my third version of it and each version is better than the last. Looks like the third time is charm.
Now, will the fact that I'm not paying for it influence your decision to buy it or to not buy it? Would my upcoming review, which will be extremely positive, be any more believable if I had paid for the tweak? Think about it .... This tweak has an eight-week break-in period. Three trials x eight weeks ... that's a lot of listening and evaluating. That's going way beyond "free," my friend.
How good is the super tweak? Even though there are those who will Poo-Poo it right from the get-go, they have no idea what they are talking about. My take will be ... if one is a dedicated audiophile trying to get the most out of his/her system, they would be absolutely nuts not to use it. And I mean bat-crap crazy.
Finally, I've said it many times on these fuse forums ... I spent over 50 years in commissioned sales. I've also said many times ... "Don't sell the steak, sell the sizzle." Take that for what its worth and work that into what you read in my reviews.
You use the Blue fuses, right dbarger? Did I tell the truth and nothing but the truth, or did I not?????
Frank |
lalitk ...
Thanks for the kind words. I couldn’t be without my Herbie’s tube dampeners. A very worthwhile tweak and highly recommended.
lak ...
Thanks to you also. Being retired brings the advantage of more time being afforded toward the hobby.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I’ve learned over the years that the more successful one is, the more one comes under attack from the "lookers on." Selling for me was like a sport. The more I practiced and the more I applied myself, the more successful I became. I just out-worked and out-learned the other guy. Money wasn’t an issue. I began to look at the money earned as nothing more than a scoreboard reflection of my effort and service to others. Even though I was a 100% commissioned independent contractor, I never thought about the money. I just knew that if I did the right thing for other people the money would come. And it did. The "lookers on" never grab hold of that concept.
There are people who look at successful people through gauze covered eyes who would LOVE to see the successful fail. It justifies their own failure. We can apply that thought to a couple of individuals who have posted in this, and also the RED fuse thread in the past. They love to tear at the seams of the dreams and efforts of others.
It takes a degree of maturity to be genuinely happy for the successes attained by others. Hopefully, this will give us a little insight into the stale thinking of those who refer to someone like Ted Denney, chief designer at SR, as a "snake oil salesman," or myself as a "shill" for any manufacturer. It is THEY who have a serious problem, not the likes of Ted Denney or myself.
Frank |
^^^ Funny stuff .... and very creative. Nothing like a little electrical porn humor to offset Wolfie's negative polarity. :-)
Frank |
Wolfie sez:
"somebody should tell the Magnapan people they're design sucks…I'm sure they'd like to know."
Yeah, right. One of the most successful speaker manufacturers on the planet and (( "THEY'RE" )) design sucks. What next Wolfie? Are you going to tell us about your perfect command of the English language and how you have it right and everyone else has it wrong? *LMAO*
Frank |
I use the values called for in the owner's manual. Blew one Black fuse in the amp on turn-on about a year ago. Other than that, no problems at all. So far I haven't heard of any Blue fuses blowing.
Frank |
dbarger ...
Did I answer your question about buying the fuses vs getting them for free? Are you satisfied with my answer?
Frank |
illuminator (Chuck)
Can you believe the improvement the Blue fuses have brought to percussion instruments on your recordings? Kettle drums, snares, vibes, piano, bongos ... Wow! |
"The higher in resolution your system becomes, the less you can hear the improvement afforded by any given tweak?" That seems to defy logic to me.
I’ve only heard a couple of systems ... very expensive systems ... that can place the musicians "in the room" in believable three dimensional relief. On my very best recordings, many of which have been recommended in this thread and the RED fuse thread as well, with lights out and eyes closed, my system, with all of its tweaks, place the musicians "in the room." And, I’ve done it for at least one tenth of the money those "very expensive" systems cost.
Some of the tweaks I’ve found successful are:
Room treatments. (tons of stuff)
Vibration control. (tons of stuff)
Herbie’s tube dampeners. Highly recommended.
SR Blue fuses. (5 total)
SR Power Cables. Highly recommended. (Level III)
Von Gaylord Legend IC’s and speaker cables. (incredible tonal balance)
The new, soon to be released secret tweak. (an absolute must!) I can’t wait for some of you to try it out.
The SR Blue fuses combined with the soon to be released "Super Tweak" have finally pushed the system down Alice’s rabbit hole into a surreal world where few audio systems have traveled. Imagine going from a stream with murky water where its difficult to see the bottom of the stream, and then looking down into a crystal clear stream where you can actually see the shapes, colors and textures of the rocks, weeds and boulders submerged 30 feet below.
Again, this phenomenon doesn’t occur on every recording, but on something transferred from a master tape onto a CD for example, it can be uncanny. Just like listening with a side kick known as The Cheshire Cat. I call him Robert. :-)
I sincerely hope your system gets this kind of resolution. If not, there is work to be done.
Frank
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Did you guys see the huge vat of boiling snake oil? I didn’t either. :-)
Frank |
^^^ So Wolfie ... are you saying that profit is evil?
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need, right Wolfie??
Frank |
^^^ Robbing a bank for "profit" is morally wrong.
Developing a product, doing all of the research, taking the financial risk, making payroll, providing a manufacturing facility .... and then selling your product for whatever the market will bear is not morally wrong.
There are two sides to a sale. First, is the seller who sells his/her product for the maximum amount possible. Second, there is the buyer who pays the price if he/she perceives the overall benefit of the product to be worth it. If buyers won't buy at the predesignated price, the price will come down to the actual market value or the seller is going to go out of business. Its called the capitalistic system. In other words, the free market. Should we have a federal department of audiophile fuse pricing to control price levels, or should we continue to allow individuals, the sellers and buyers, to determine end prices? Which way sounds like liberty to you??
Considering the way the SR Blue fuses are selling, and considering how much each fuse does to improve one's system, it looks to me as though Ted Denney has correctly set the retail price at $150 per fuse.
Frank
PS: jafreeman says it exactly how it is: "
Expensive, yes.....but they work as claimed!" |
They work fantastic ... just fantastic. :-)
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Wolfie ...
I "read somewhere" that through your stellar work in setting up sound systems for concerts in order to attain other-worldly loudness levels that you have destroyed your hearing. Can’t remember where or when I read it, but if I read it, it must be true.
I, and many others, are wondering as to what professional auditory tests you’ve put your ears through and how they measure. Until you submit the results of such testing we cannot give a fair analysis of your hearing acumen, or indeed, your competence in fuseology.
Please submit all testing data by posting the results of your latest auditory tests in this forum as soon as possible.
Thanks ...
Frank |
