Synergistic Red Fuse ...

Fleschler
"I know this could lead to another round of controversy, but multiple pressings of CDs can have variable audio quality from the same pressing plant, in other words, they don’t sound necessarily alike. There is no electrical or physical reason that I’ve found or my friend Robert has found, but the proof in the pudding, listening to one after another. One CD can sound brighter/duller/tonally richer/thinner, etc. than another or they may sound alike. I have two complete sets of the classical Mercury Living Presence CDs (as well as the boxed versions) in which many of them have tonally different sound, one set is generally brighter and more forward sounding and the other more rounded and less forward sounding. It’s a mystery as to why it is that way."

In the case of Mercury Living Presence CDs, I can think of several things that affect their sound, the single CDs or the box sets. One is that the Mercury Living Presence CDs are apparently in reverse absolute polarity. At least according to George Louis, the Polarity Pundit. I tend to agree with that assessment generally, given the lack of low bass performance compared to LP versions, for example, and a tendency to sound rather unfocused and whimpy and tonality incorrect. Also, the area around the spindle hole is usually solid metal, which degrades the sound, rather than clear plastic. A CD with clear center will sound better than the same CD with a metal center, all things being equal. A Drexel tool can be used to remove the offending thin metal disc around the spindle hole. Third, the iconic Black and White label is bad for the sound. Coloring the outer edge red and the inner edge black improves the sound of any Mercury Living Presence CD quite noticeably.

Low bass performance on the Mercury CDs are not lacking at all in any of the 3 pressings. They sound veryI focused, dynamic and tonally correct. I also have about 50 RFR and FR Lps and most of the Golden Presence(?) reissues. The early LPs vary in sound quality much more than the CDs. I highly recommend the CDs and reissues. My primary CD playback equipment consists of an EAR Acute player with early large O getter Amperex output tubes, Stillpoint ultra SS and custom wiring. Even on my Kyocera 310 CD player, the CDs sound great and analog like.

I have 1st 50 cd MLP box set and all ripped at original resolution to music server.   It's a wonderful sounding set with top notch sound quality overall.  The sound quality  MLP is renowned for is there in spades.  Gk once again is spouting nonsense. 

highstreamFleschler, not here! George, if you think that those of us who claim that fuses can make a difference are just gullible, why are spending your time here? In any case, you've made your point, so please move on.

You need to read my post again, it's not you I'm calling gullible, but the non fuser's that are easily led down the garden path, by the voodoo fuser's that state things like.
" I find that the SR black fuses increase the color and certainly the texture of instruments. The added detail and ambience give more life to the music, not just leading edge transients."

Still no manufactures links that state improved sound from these fuses.

Cheers George

Mapman,
With your 50 CD box set of MLP recordings you own far more than I do. I have a few MLP CDs of Janos Starker accompanied by pianist Gyorgy Sebok and both the music and recording sound quality are fabulous.

Al, I know you are an aficionado of the classical music genre. My classical music collection and knowledge is miniscule compared to jazz music. Gyorgy Sebok was a complete unknown to me up until 2 weeks ago. I spent hours a couple of weekends ago listening to him accompanying cellist Janos Starker, it was beautiful.

Al,
Are you familiar with Sebok?
Do you enjoy his playing?
What is his stature amongst the hierarchy of classical pianist (yes I know, purely subjective)?
Do you have any recordings of him and/or any suggested recommendations? As a classical music novice I really like him playing along with Starker.
Thanks,
Charles