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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
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I find the change in fuse direction subtle, too. However, if you have say four or five fuses in your system including fuses in speakers and you change the direction of each fuse one at a time, listening to the sound after each change, deciding whether the new direction is better or worse, then repeat the entire process to be sure you guessed right, at the end of the day, with all of the fuses in the right direction, the difference in sound will NOT be subtle. Or if you like, it will be subtle but powerful.

GK
marqmike
847 posts
 
I have had the amp fuse in for 12 days. The sound was slightly coarse sounding in the first 20 hours. After that the system started to sound noticeably more open, natural, lively. Things I am really liking. I don't know if they will continue to effect a change in sound, but if the system stays like it is, I am giddy about that. That's 'giddy', not 'giddy up'. Now for the cd transport fuse to go in. If it goes as well I will get another for my dac. I would like to try a audio horizons or audio magic. I will see how the next 50 hours go.
marqmike
847 posts
 

Davidpritchard and others

I asked synergestic research where they would recommend I first start putting fuses in my equipment. The man replied in the amp and then the cd transport, at audio horizons he said the dac. I didn't ask them why. So I thought I could follow both of their advice without problem. And maybe in those spots they recommend their fuse it would be better there. Who knows?  That really didn't matter since I would probably change all for a small improvement.  

knghifi
1,668 posts
 
I found fuse direction was very noticeable in my VAC SigmMKIIa pre.  In wrong direction, sounds out of phase with no weight, bass, rounded ...  Compared notes with several VAC owners, same results and ultimately we confirmed with Kevin Hayes.    Now I ask manufacturer for correct direction so no need to experiment.

I don't find replacing stock with any after market fuse is an improvement to be true.   I don't want a fuse to change the character of my component but enhance it.  Once I had a fuse that elevated the mid so much prefer stock.

I prefer a neutral and linear sound so SR RED is 1st choice and then HiFi Tuning Supreme.     Since RED doesn't offer a 7A slo-blo for my ARC REF250, I'm SHOCKED how well Isoclean is working out for only $49.    It's very neutral and linear.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Knghifi,
That's a good observation and I agree  regarding the SR Red fuse effect based on my results. The sonic character wasn't altered in my system. It just seems the present good attributes  were simply improved. Clarity,  openess, dynamic ebb and flow, transparency and nuances further improved. I know that  this is a cliche but it is as though a veil is removed. That's the overall effect I perceive.
Charles,
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