The black dot on the glass body of the Blue fuse...
can you hear a difference when it is facing down
into the component or up, towards its cover?
can you hear a difference when it is facing down
into the component or up, towards its cover?
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
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
2,978 responses
The improvement in the blue fuse after a few dozen hours is relatively minor compared to the improvement in the Omega E-mats day by day until two weeks. Actually, the first 24 hours makes a big improvement. Why buy a black SR fuse when for $20 more one can purchase a superior sounding fuse that sounds great immediately? I guess SR has too many black fuses left and is still selling them. Maybe because the Black is more transparent. 😏 |
The improvement in the blue fuse after a few dozen hours is relatively minor compared to the improvement in the Omega E-mats day by day until two weeks. Actually, the first 24 hours makes a big improvement. Why buy a black SR fuse when for $20 more one can purchase a superior sounding fuse that sounds great immediately? I guess SR has too many black fuses left and is still selling them. |
@slowikpl ........ And everyone else . I got my new Blue fuse in the mail today and i was very anxious to hear it. But first i wanted to listen to the stock ARC fuse in my Ref 6 before i installed the Blue. I put on a few cds with my volume on 24. I then changed the stock fuse with the Blue , put the same cds on and the same volume. The difference was dramatic. Much more detailed and improved frequency especially in the mid-range and high frequencies and wider soundstage . I am very impressed with the Blue fuse. I am very certain that out of all my tweeks this is the very best ive heard. And for the price its a no brainer. As much as i love the the ARC Ref 6 with the stock fuse i love it even more now !!! Hearing is TRULY believing. I am no longer a skeptic..............Now as far as directional the brochure says......Yes fuses are directional. Electricity should flow from the left to the right when you view the fuse { from the S to the R } If you do not know the direction of flow, you should listen to the fuse in both directions. One direction will sound more detailed. This is the correct way. ..........Now i also tried the Blue fuse both ways and to me the sound was more detailed with the letters S R on the fuse facing out of the fuse cap and going into the preamp. ........... It also says ,Q, Do fuses have a burn in period? A, Yes most products have a settling in period. The first 200-300 hrs are the most crucial. Also says, What to expect during the Burn - In process: Black fuses can shift negative to positive with dramatic swings in the first 200-300 hrs of burn in while Blue fuses tend to outperform fully broken in Black fuses, in most performance areas, straight out of the box. With Blue fuses expect a less volatile burn in occurring during the first 200-300 hours . During this time you should experience a balancing of the soundstage with improved frequency linearity especially in the mid-range and high- frequencies. |
I've previously noted that a test that I used in two audio systems for directionality. If the sound you hear is out of phase, not focused and somewhat bright compared to a more focused, solid and warmer sound, stick with the latter for directionality. The SR Blue fuse sounded great right away while the SR Black took 72 long hours to achieve it's great sound. I'm so happy to pay only $20 more for a ready to use fuse. |
@slowikpl .....ARC Ref 6 ..... I guess you have the 220-240v unit for the AC main fuse and the CE fuse 220-240v ....I only have one fuse - AC main 120v. For the CE fuse for 120v i have a jumper wire in place of the fuse. I will try the Blue fuse both ways for a few days and see if there is a difference in sound for the direction, which i dont think there is. |
slowikpl There’s a reason SR don’t put obvious direction markings on a mains fuse, because then they become liable, as AC mains has no direction, neither do AC fuses. slowikpl That’s because Audio Research are a reputable company, and they will not entertain the idea of AC mains fuses having a direction and never will. Cheers George |
Hi , I brought the SR - Blue Fuses for my Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier. One for the main Fuse T4A and one for the CE - T1A Fuse internal. Can somebody provide me the current direction of this Preamplifier? I kindly asked AR - but got no answer about my question, besides the one I have read on the SR that the Fuse is directional and I should test it in both ways and hear what I prefer more. That’s now what I asked for! So owners , dealers can you help me with the question: in what direction are the current flouting in my AC - Main and CE fuse? |
Just bought the Blue fuse yesterday to put in my ARC Ref 6 which now has 32 hrs on it. Waiting for it to arrive in the mail in the next few days. I was going to wait until my Ref 6 was fully broken in until i try the Blue fuse but i will put it right in and let them break in together. Im dying to see if there really is a difference. |
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 |
wolf_garcia BEAUTIFUL Wolf!!!!!!!!!! uberwaltzNow here's a man with inside knowledge, quick get shares in SR before the word gets out, remember those Apple shares. Cheers george |
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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 |
I did run extensive tests on the Red and Black fuses, some inexplicably blew, and, although I haven't contacted every sucker who's bought into this "magic fuse" nonsense I assume from my little tests they're likely not rated properly, although it's possible the 150 bucks covers some more careful matching. Great news for the fans! In an alternating current scenario as with a fuse, current flows in both directions so the phase issues are nonexistent, but this entire pile of "magic fuse" stuff, designed to simply take money from those who love to imagine benefits where there can be none, is sort of adorable in the sense that an expensive placebo can be so welcomed by the desperate and insecure among us. |
The direction sonically is the one which focuses the sound. If it is in the wrong direction, it sounds like it is out of phase. That's my experience with two different sets of amps whereby each had a different direction, one with the words facing in and the other had the words facing out. So, try each direction and check for phasiness and focus. |
Wolf_Garcia brings a total new meaning to the old adage "beating a dead horse." Wolfie ... I know that in order to arrive at the conclusions you have, you must have run extensive tests, no? So, answer this: Thousands of SR fuses are being used at this point in time. How many failures have occurred ... and at what rate compared with just stock fuses? Surely you have this information available to you, do you not?? Its time to change the record, Wolfie ... the flip side is ... read the reviews. Frank |
This debate can go on for the end of time. Weather they work or dont.. You yourself will have to judge and only you will then decide for yourself.. Look it aint that expensive to try one. If it works great, if it dont oh well no big loss. Just sell it or use it for a spare. I myself am going to buy one for my ARC Ref 6 but will not put it in my 6 is until it is broken in so i can see if there is a difference in sonics. |
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 |
SR fuses lack proper ratings so you simply have to hope they don't fail, and they really don't do anything to a signal anyway since they're FUSES...claiming otherwise is silly, and no explanation of how or why they can improve the sound of anything is part of the lame uber hype contained in the shameful infomercial like hard sell of these ridiculous fuses. Otherwise, enjoy! |
