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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,102 posts
 
Al my meter is very basic but I measured the stock arc fuse at between .2 and .3 ohm.  The sr red fuse was closer to .2. Seemingly just a tad less. 
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Knghifi, looking down on the HAPZ1 with the front closest to me, the fuses were installed with the S to the left and the R to the right.  Again, I found the directionality to be rather obvious.  The fuse in the front is labeled HDD live.  The one towards the back is labeled Mains Live.   Look off to the left and towards the back for the label.  I asked Dan Wright a number of questions, including "which fuse serves the DAC."  He didn't answer that particular question.  

It may be that the mains fuse is serving mostly uses such as the display, which would explain that fuse having little or no impact of the quality of sound. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,102 posts
 
I don't have anything more to add. 

Op thanks again for giving me the opportunity to audition.  Much appreciated. B
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
r_f_sayles:

Congratulations on installing the fuses. Your description of a freshly installed Black fuse is quite good. If your player is left on 24/7 then by next Saturday I believe you will hear a sound that has even better folw and a sense of bei
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
A better sense of flow and the music being more "alive".
 
I absolutely agree with you about life being too short. In less time than it takes to post an argument about obtaining some technical measurement,
one can order a Black fuse that has a money back guarantee. High- End Electronics does not charge shipping to the customer. So even if you send it back Insured Priority Mail in a small flat rate box, you are out a maximum of $6.80.

And please remember life is short - My Brother was diagnosed with Acute Monocytic Leukemia on Monday. Risking all of $6.80 to try a piece of equipment that multiple audiophiles have reported on favorably seems like a non issue.

Listening to my system with multiple Black fuses  has given me some real comfort this week. Mozart, Bach, and the serene lute music of John Dowland have been my close companions.

David Pritchard

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