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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
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Ozzy, you're correct, only one is active.   From PS Audio Forum:

Be aware that although there are two fuse holders in the Direct Stream, only one fuse is active.

The second fuse was used for the analog supply in the PWD. The DS does not have this extra supply.

I had a PWDMKII and it uses 2 fuses.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
holydio ... 

I haven't tried the WA chips on the SR Black fuses. I only tried them on the SR Red fuses. According to SR, the Black fuses have a coating on the exterior of the fuse and if the WA chips are used on them they will degrade the sound of the fuses. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,406 posts
 
Oregonpapa,

Red quantum fuse just arrived. Nice looking fuse, nicely packaged in original box. Seems to have some weight to it compared to most fuses as I remember. Thanks!

I will take it home with me today and see what happens. Might get to try it out tonight in my Audio Research sp16 pre-amp if all goes well.

Hang on to your hats.....
audiolover718
132 posts
 
Oh by the way- for those of you really want to take the fuses to the next level-
if you are using them in a barrel type connector with a spring loaded mechanism, you will notice that there is play inside the connector. Wrap the fuse in Teflon plumbers tape  to make it snug (not too snug to keep the spring from compressing). Don't cover the black dot on the black fuse.  Reinsert and behold even greater clarity and focus. This tweak works on any fuse. Try it and report back. You should like what you hear!!!  IEC's respond well too to this. Minimizing vibrations goes a long way. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,406 posts
 
Hmm, Ok issue # 1 for me with this fuse may be a show stopper in that it appears to not match my ARC pre-amp fuse specs.

ARC sp 16 manual indicates it takes a 3A, 230V  slo blow fuse.

Syn. Red fuse is T 3.15A, 500V.

T indicates slo blow I believe (check), 3.15 A is close enough, but 500V rating means this fuse will take slightly more than twice as many amps/power to blow as it should with properly rated 230V equivalent fuse.

Unless I'm missing something I cannot put this into my ARC sp16 without risking damage.


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