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
I've said it before and I'll say it again.  If fuses can make such a big difference imagine for a moment of the industry suddenly got smart and manufactured all wire like that.  All wire, all cables, all internal wiring of components and speakers, the transformers, capacitors, everything?  Hel-looo!
Companies such as ARC and CAT have been limiting the number of fuses in their components for superior SQ.    You do need to solder instead of just replacing a fuse if something blows.   No free lunch!
My compliments to all of you here who have provided one of the most informative empirical discussions on the effects of different fuse brands on your listening enjoyment.  These reports help anyone who is looking to reach that next plateau of sound from the gear they now have rather than buying new, costly pieces.  After so many cable, cord, isolation, room acoustic, fuse tweaks with much of the same set up I have had for over ten year now, I have forestalled a major overhaul/upgrade up until now--very satisfying.   
So, my friend Mr. Golden Ears (Robert) came over last night for an extended listening session. The last time he was over, I had a broken in RED fuse in the preamp, and a brand new one in the amp. Last night, all three fuses were at work ... amp, preamp and phono, with all three fuses broken in at this point. 

We played a variety of music, all of which sounded better than ever. The most striking was a Pacific Jazz stereo recording, recorded in 1956, that I have of the Chico Hamilton Quintet (STEREO-1005). Now here we had that realism similar to the Optimal Enchantment room at the Newport show three years ago that I alluded to earlier. Fred Katz's cello was particularly good with correct tonal balance, woodiness, resin and all in three dimensional relief.  Robert called me again this morning raving about Katz's cello that he heard last night. That's saying alot considering Robert's second nickname is "Mr. Cynic." 

This Chico Hamilton record is one of my favorites in the entire collection and I know every groove in it. With the simple exchange of three fuses ... $300 bucks total plus tax and shipping .. and walla! an entirely new record collection.

No joke guys ... this was as good as going from my ARC Classic 60 to the ARC REF-75 ... and that's saying a ton.  Put another way, better than going from the REF-75 to the REF-75SE ... and that's saying another ton. 

So now, instead of sitting just outside that wonderful soundstage reproduced in the Optimal Enchantment room of three years ago, the system now allows one to sit at least on the inside edge of that soundstage.

Delightful, to say the least. 
I have an important question. Let's say you are using one of these aftermarket fuses and it blows and causes damage to your equipment. Are the manufacturers still going to honor your warranty?
Hey taters, would you like to start another thread with your question? I can start if for if you like.