Synergistic Red Fuse ...

Mapman, thanks so much for the exceedingly nice words!

I’ll add that I always enjoy, and not infrequently learn from, your invariably balanced, knowledgeable, and level-headed posts.

Also, I don’t disagree with George’s characterization of me as a fence-sitter when it comes to some controversial tweaks. Especially in cases such as this one where the seemingly implausible magnitude of the claimed benefit is supported by testimony from several members I consider to be particularly credible.

That said, my bias, to the extent that I have one, always tends to be in the direction of focusing my investments of time and money where I believe those investments are likeliest to be most beneficial. With that judgment being made based on both my own knowledge and experiences that are reported by others, which I try to calibrate based on who is doing the reporting, and on the apparent thoroughness of their experimental methodology. My perception is that you have a similar outlook.

Thanks very much again. Best regards,
-- Al

Some evidence, Exhibit A

from long time Synergistic Research dealer’s website,

"Synergistic Research has a new, ’top of the line’ addition to their highly regarded fuse lineup: the BLACK Fuse.

For best performance, fuses should be installed one way, listened to, and then reversed the other way to determine best sonic orientation."

to recap, the RED fuse is supposedly non-directional (according to SR?) by virtue of the special RED fuse only treatment that realigns the crystal structure or some such thing. We can come back to that claim later. The BLACK fuse on the other hand IS directional, but not marked for direction, apparently not even using the S and R approach, so the user must try it BOTH WAYS to see which way sounds best. Make sense?

Exhibit B - the same dealer states for the RED fuse:

"For best performance, fuses should be installed one way, listened to, and then reversed the other way to determine best sonic orientation."

So, is that the dealer’s suggestion or SR? You be the judge.



Geoff Kait
Machina Dramatica
Advanced Audio Concerts

I am of two minds on such topics, and wouldn't have it any other way. My education is in math/statistics and I have loved the career it gave me in logic.  So I can wear that hat, and that mind can remain cautious of magic, yet respecful of the sensitivities of my other mind as it stands at the amp, swaps directions of a SR Black, and immediately senses that something is off as I turn up the volume.

I have so enjoyed logic, but equally enjoy the endless mystery and beauty of perception, artistic expression, and emotions.  To require one to be right seems to limit the human experience.

As for the sub-thread on albums, I'm no jazz expert, but I find my new Hugh Masekela album "Hope" to be extraordinary, both sonically and musically.

I'm heading down to chill to some music now.  Will pop the red fuse back in and see what happens.  

Things are sounding really good. Some Neil Young Harvest Moon, Hair original Broadway soundtrack (one of my favorite bass guitar rock performances).   Now some opera on RCA Red Seal.  Awesome.   Squeezebox touch on random play so getting a nice random sample of my music library to listen to.