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FUSES??? Just when I just replaced all my PC cords.

So I come across what I think is the next magic pill. "FUSES" Synergistic Research RED Quantum Fuse to be specific. Guaranteed to make a significant improvement in overall sound quality. Or a full refund. Gotta love that, total satisfaction. So, it's got my interest. Let's say one would like to challenge the promise. I have a Jolida tube amp (801) a Jolida JD9II phono pre and a Jolida glass tube DAC III. And I would like to try one fuse to start with. Which of the three components of my system would you recommend trying first?

Thanks in advance for any opinons.  
markeetaux
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 

Kenny:

Synergistic Research applies 2 million volts to the fuse at a certain frequency and time. They call this process Quantum Tunneling. A descriptive marketing term,in the likes of the Motorola "Quasar" televisions. I have tried several of the aftermarket (but not all ) fuses. I have heard small changes (Isoclean) to large sonic changes( Synergistic Research Black ). SR sells three fuses each with a different sonic change at three price points. I especially like the way my system sounds with SR Black fuses in place. Because the amount and direction of change a fuse can make, I buy from a company that offers a money back policy. I have also experimented with tube rolling in my amps but I know of no tube vendors that have an audition with return policy. That certainly would be welcomed when considering the expensive Elrog, Psvane , KR, or EML tubes.

From an engineering standpoint I do not understand exactly how different brands of tubes, capacitors, and fuses change the sound. But they do.

I have enjoyed taking a considerable amount of time auditioning various fuses and I believe my system sounds better for the time and effort spent.


David Pritchard

 

kenny928's avatar
kenny928
47 posts
 
I understand what you are saying David, but what annoys me is when they use terminologies such as "Quantum Tunneling" which is a quantum mechanics phenomenon, something I am familiar with and why they chose a term if it has nothing to do with their claimed process annoys me to no end.  Did you see the newest beeswax fuses at 149 bucks?  As an audiophile, I just want products that will produce quality sound without the claims that defy the principles of engineering and physics.  I too have tube rolled and tried different fuses.  The issue there is why in the heck did the manufacturer not go with quality parts to begin with?  A 5K and above amp or audio equipment with substandard fuses and power cords???  Explain that one to me! 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,308 posts
 
I will never understand people's tolerance for being lied to.   
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
kenny928:

I certainly can understand your annoyance with using a quantum physics term to describe basically a manufacturing process. I am faced with the same situation when reading about "health products and treatments" as I am an Anesthesiologists when not listening to my music.

So I audition products that can be returned so I only have to decide if the product improves my system. I do not study reviews, nor as I did in the 70's and 80's pore over spec sheets. Does the change in the system improve my enjoyment of the music. That is my gold standard- nothing else.

I have not tried the Audio Magic Beeswax fuse. They have a no return policy. That precludes me from evaluating their product without a pre hearing bias. It is also not clear to me when they sonically stabilize. However,they do have their proponents.

My amplifiers are all made by well respected boutique manufacturers. I have talked with them on the subject of fuses and power cords. Not one has an interest in trying or supplying an audio grade fuse or power cord with their products. They all think the audiophile will be happy with average vanilla or will tube, fuse, and power cord roll no matter what they put in their product. Bobby P of Merlin speakers was one of the few manufacturers who made very specific statements as to which amps and wires to use with his speakers. And then of course there would be all these threads here on Audiogonas to which amp and wire really worked better than what Bobby said !

David Pritchard

kenny928's avatar
kenny928
47 posts
 
David - I enjoy your responses!
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