2. amps-preamps
  3. 1448317474

Synergistic Red Fuse ...

I installed a SR RED Quantum fuse in my ARC REF-3 preamp a few days ago, replacing an older high end fuse. Uhh ... for a hundred bucks, this little baby is well worth the cost. There was an immediate improvement upon installation, but now that its broken in (yes, no kidding), its quite remarkable. A tightening of the focus, a more solid image, and most important of all for my tastes, a deeper appreciation for the organic sound of the instruments. Damn! ... cellos sound great! Much improved attack on pianos. More humanistic on vocals. Bowed bass goes down forever. Next move? .... I'm doing the entire system with these fuses. One at a time though just to gauge the improvement in each piece of equipment. The REF-75se comes next. I'll report the results as the progression takes place. Stay tuned ...

Any comments from anyone else who has tried these fuses?
128x128oregonpapa
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
^^^ You're welcome Charles. I knew you'd like it. That bass solo has become my reference to measure how far into the basement these SR Black fuses have driven my bass to. With the addition of the SR power cords, Ray Brown's bass goes right through my chest and vibrates off of my spinal column. :-)
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Bill,
That good to know, it seems you just needed the required burn-in hours. If you haven't done so yet, be sure to reverse the fuse direction. It may not result in a "dramatic" (the degree of effect appears to vary with component/system) difference but one direction will be preferable to the other. I look forward to your upcoming comparison.
Charles,
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Charles, I reversed the direction last week and the difference was quite obvious.  I had the correct direction from the beginning.  I am eager to do the A/B tonight, and based on the results, will make a decision on buying additional fuses.
jwm
918 posts
 
I finally received my black SR fuses today. I replaced the stock fuse in my DAC to the black and the difference was eye opening as most people here already know. Pace and rhythm to another level, organic mids increased, relaxation and less harshness a big plus. I would say at least 40 to 50% improvement. I then replaced the red SR fuse in my preamp to the black and could not believe how much better the black is to a well broken in red fuse. The combo of preamp and dac together was something else. I was so involved in the music. I am not getting any harshness or brightness that other people are observing with the early break in stages of the black fuses. My next change will be the fuses in my amplifiers. The direction on the black fuse in my preamp was not the same as the direction of the red fuse. I am wondering if anyone else had this happen. I am wondering if SR applies their treatment to any direction and the lettering on the fuse really does not serve as a direction at all. Thanks Papa for this thread you have brought pleasure to my system that I can't thank you enough. It would be nice to meet you, but I don't think you are going to Axpona. Will you be going to Rocky Mountain this year?
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
^^^ jwm ...

Glad you're getting the results from the SR Black fuse. Its a terrific tweak for a very modest outlay in cash. 

I only go to one show a year now ... and that's the Newport show. I used to go to CES in Vegas every year, but I've grown to really detest that place. It takes a week to get the tobacco smoke out of my sinuses after attending the CES.

The listening session last night was the best ever.  I have two more SR Red fuses to swap out for the Blacks. One in the phono and another one in the amp. Look out ... more improvements to come. 
More to discover