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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
bondmanp
1,824 posts
 

Well, plunge taken. I ordered a SR Black fuse for my preamp today from local retailer Bravo AV (Tom, the owner, is a great guy; I’ve known him a few years). I did call SR prior to placing the order for some reassurance (especially after my preamp manufacturer "de-recommended" aftermarket fuses) and to find out if the SR 5mm size would fit as a replacement for what I measured as 4mm in diameter and 2 cm in length. Of course, if it won’t fit, I can return it.

Also found out from SR that their fuses are UL listed, which I find comforting.

I will post my impressions once I have a chance to install, break in, and do some critical listening.

Thanks to everyone here for their posts. They were helpful in enabling me to make this purchase.

aolmrd1241
1,042 posts
 
Could the varying opinions in concern of the SR fuse sound have anything to do with a quality control issue? How and why these fuses can be so "hit or miss" would lead me to believe so. Maybe an SR rep could chime in here,adding some technical merit to the convo. At least it could clear up some thoughts on the matter of why there is such a sound discrepancy,especially when the fuses are being used in some same exact components.
p59teitel
314 posts
 
The "quality control" issue here is the human ear and how different people perceive things differently.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,460 posts
 
I'd put my money on what p59 said.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
Its not exactly "hit or miss."  I one were to read through all 21 pages of this thread, one would find that the vast majority of posters have had a positive experience from these SR fuses. 
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