The New Synergistic Research Purple Fuses

@nutty The SY has an internal fuse, which can be changed.

@-wolff- I have exactly the same feeling as you. I don't think the direction is wrong in my case.Just want to ask how the situation is now. Is the Purple better than before?

@weisi The Purple has improved. I had 3 of them in different components. 2x Farad Super3 LPS and a Auralic Altair G1 streamer.

I’ve been switching the 3 Purple’s too smooth, smeared, veiled the details and bloated the bass in my setup and preferred the 3 originals, which I couldn’t believe. I had faith in the sound signature of the Purple’s, it’s warmer midrange and bigger soundstage and fuller voices, and switched them up a bit. Eventually I ended up with a original fuse in 1 LPS, 1 Purple in the other LPS and a original in the streamer.

Changing fuses awoke my interest and I was curious about other brands and looked into the QSA Yellow fuse. It’s description of sound should benefit my setup and it did. It made the soundstage bigger and had more dynamic, had tighter bass, and was more reveiling the details with more resolution. After trying all possible combinations and to be sure even went back to stock, the ideal combination to my ears was 1 QSA in my streamer and 1 Purple and 1 stock.

@-wolff- Thanks for your reply! "too smooth, smeared, veiled the details "This is how I feel right now. The smoothness gives me the feeling that the "contrast" of the sound has gone. Nevertheless, indeed, the soundstage space is better. I used Hifituning Supreme copper, which conquered the drawbacks of the Purple. But it did not offer as much information as Purple and was a bit stuttered in the mid-bass range. I am now doubting whether I should change the fuse back or just give it more time or change direction. Have you ever changed the direction?

I did and had them right all along. The current flow is from the S to R, which I measured. The other way around sounded not right. Thin and bright with no ease of flow. But you can always give it a try. 

Adding to this thread about the SR Purple fuse to relate my experience and say, "Thanks" to a couple of people.

First to Audiogon member, Nutty, who sent me a Purple fuse to try. I was completely skeptical that replacing a stock fuse could make a sonic difference justifying the $200 fuse price. In the distant past, experience with a HiFi Tuning fuse in different gear found it might have made a difference but, if real and not imagined, it was subtle. I didn’t really even want the SR Purple fuse that Nutty was offering or the bother fr installing it - but eventually I did. It went into an Auralic Aries G1 music server.

I was not expecting to hear any difference (especially given the reported long break in time) but immediately noticed a change in the sound. It was not subtle. The presentation seemed to come forward a bit and bass got a little stronger; there was more fullness to the sound. Separation of layered instruments increased. There was a slight bit more treble energy though not harsh or overly bright. Ultimately, however, the biggest change was that music became more engaging and enjoyable. I thought this would fade as the effect of "the new" wore off. So far, this hasn’t been the case. The length of listening sessions has increased.

I thought enough of the benefits from the one SR Purple fuse that after a month or so I ordered two more fuses: a Purple for a Hegel H390 integrated and an (old stock) Orange for a TEAC CD-3000. Both were purchased from VH Audio. Chris VenHaus is pleasure to do business with - knowledgable, honest, responsive and with reasonable prices. Placed the order yesterday. Chris sent shipping confirmation an hour or two later...amazingly fast.

Thanks again to both Nutty and Chris V.

ghosthouse - I'm glad to hear the SR Purple is working out!  Looking forward to your update on the addition of two more fuses in your system. 

N

Recently purchased the Jay's Audio CDT2-MK3 Transport and I have approximately 120 hours of continuous signal running throught the unit. I'm considering the Synergistic Research Master Fuse for the Jay's. 

N

@nutty : what a coincidence, I paid a few days ago for a brand spanking new Jay’s Audio CDT3 MK3. It will likely take some time to arrive from China. However, I already inquired and obtained the fuse specifics for it, which as you know, is owner replaceable. I have used SR fuses with good results in the past, with other equipment, Blue, then Orange, then Purple. However, this time around, I will get the Swiss Fuse Box instead, which is in a whole different level with my Innuos ZENith MK3. https://verafiaudiollc.com/products/best-audio-products/swiss-digital-fuse-box-52299809
 

Just as an alternative. But of course, you will be happy with the SR fuses too

@thyname The Swiss Digital Fuse Box looks very impressive,  and reasonably priced. Thanks for recommendation! 

N

@nutty : you are welcome. There a couple of threads here on the Swiss Digital Fuse Box, the longest of which, with a detailed excellent review by its OP is in the link below:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/swiss-digital-fuse-box-what-headroom-sounds-like