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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
audiolover718
132 posts
 
Cymbop, what you are describing very much sounds like the fuse is in the wrong direction. I wouldn't wait. I would change direction now, and decide tje right polarity, then reinstall and let it continue to break in and settle back down.  The differences in direction are very apparent.  I agree with the system being less bright, and it may initially feel less resolving, but ultimately I feel that was artificial brightness from the stock fuses. I am more interested now in listening than before. My imaging has not gone flat. IT WILL NOT SOUND RIGHT IF ITS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR A GIVEN COMPONENT.

Even  my factory fresh ARC  amplifier, which came with a factory ceramic fuse was pencil marked from the factory indicating proper orientation of the fuse. Obviously done during its factory sound check. So, it is obviously a real,variable.

let us know when you change direction if your feelings change. I think they will. 
electroslacker
375 posts
 
Just to confuse matters a bit, I saw some conflicting specifications for fuse size on a Pass Aleph P preamp, so I asked Pass, who provided the correct value, but added, "If you are using after market or fast blow fuses, you will have to go up in value."  Seems the answer is the onerous blurry "depends" since the SR Blacks at manufacturers rated fuse values worked fine in a DAC and tube amp. SR should be generous in trade if you played by the rules and they blew.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Thankyou Almarg,  I  value and appreciate your response,  cheers. 
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
For anyone interested, I made a new post on the SR power cords in the cable forum. All I can say at this point is ... WOW!
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
gbmcleod:

I did not make myself clear in discussing A/C wall outlets. Synergistic Research allows the most music thru of the outlets I have evaluated. The Furutech GTX-R gives a bigger soundstage. In my three systems I am using a total 14 Synergistic Research Teslaplex outlets and three Furutech GTX-r outlets.

I agree there is a much bigger improvement going from the SR-20 fuse  to Black than going to Red, and a bigger improvement going from RED to BLACK. Black is clearly a better sound than SR-20 or RED.

David Pritchard
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