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

OK, try this one for an experiment only, definitely not for long term for safety sake.

Make sure all is working fine and you grown used to how it sounds. Then remove the "red fuse" and bridge out he the fuse holder with some copper wire, you can even tack solder it on the outside of the fuse holder. It should sound the best, if anything at all.


Cheers George   

" Are you noticing while listening to your Ohm 5 system that instruments have a more tactile organic presentation?"

If there is a difference it is very subtle but this is as good a term for what I think I might be hearing different as any.   The thing is I am not really hearing a clear difference with recordings I am most familiar with.

 Are you finding yourself more immersed into the music than is usually the case?
I was immersed last night but usually am when I am relaxed and able to focus on the music and not other things.

Are you finding yourself listening to entire recordings/CD/vinyl/high-rez downloads, instead of jumping around from recording to recording and/or cut to cut? 

Not enough listening yet to say.   In general, sound quality hardly ever prevents me from listening to particular recordings.  I find most to be involving even if technically limited.  As long as no clear unintended distortion is there.   That was a big goal for me putting together my setup, to be able to listen to and enjoy all music.

jafree, I need to pick up more of the Hayward mixes.     I think I have his version of In Search Of the Lost Chord and maybe Octave but that's it.
OP,

One thing I should say is that I am not one to continually pick apart how my stuff sounds.   I've managed to get past all that with the setup I've assembled currently.   The fuse is there and sounding good.    It may be  providing some change in the sound.   It sounds really good fuse in or out.  If there are differences, they are subtle so either way works.   I dabbled with a/b compares the other day and am done with that.   The fuse will likely stay in now that its there.   If it blows would I replace it?   Dunno yet.  I'll wait to cross that bridge.  I am not likely to be running out and replacing all my fuses with these though.
Georgelofi,

I have no doubt that no fuse is likely the best fuse for performance but I’ll pass on that. It is what it is. If I need better sound I’ll figure out some other way to get it beside eliminating the fuse that the designers deemed wise to put in there..