2. amps-preamps
  3. 1448317474

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
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Hi gbmcleod,

Alexa6404 asked a question and we answered it...at least Al did.

Best to you,
Dave
mtseymour's avatar
mtseymour
22 posts
 
It's possible that SR fuse is affected by the turn-on sequence.  My Pass XP-15 phono stage has no on/off switch.  It's powered on once the AC cable is connected.  I blew two Red fuses before I successfully used a Red with higher amperage rating.

By comparison, my PS Audio BHK amp is less likely to blow a fuse because it uses a lengthy turn-on sequence.  I'll know for sure when my Black fuses arrive.

I also agree that some fuses are directional.  I tried an Hi Fi gold fuse in my BHK Preamp.  In a single blind test, my wife (who's a musician with better hearing) agreed that one direction was pretty good, while the other was quite harsh (almost unlistenable).  This is a surprising because I never thought that it would be so obvious.  We'll try the same test with the Black after the burn-in.  
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
"It's possible that SR fuse is affected by the turn-on sequence.  My Pass XP-15 phono stage has no on/off switch.  It's powered on once the AC cable is connected.  I blew two Red fuses before I successfully used a Red with higher amperage rating."

Exactly the same as my Ayre K-1xe phonolinepreamp/power supply where I lost two 1A Black fuses before going to a 2A.

Best to you mtseymour,
Dave

a25105
133 posts
 
mtseymour,

Have you replaced all the fuses in your BHK amp with the black fuses?  How much better is your BHK after replacing the 4 rail fuses compare to the 2 main ones?  thx.

Allan
alexa6404
5 posts
 
Thank you for your inputs about the value and margin in black fuses.  I am now experimenting with the direction of these fuses. 

I have been told that SR fuses should be oriented such that the writing on the fuse is in the direction of signal flow (ie looking at the SR label on the fuse, arrow going from S side to R side of the fuse). 

For fuses on AC power line, I am assuming that AC "signal" flows into the equipment thru Live/Line/Hot terminal and out thru the Neutral terminal.

Thus, for fuses on the Live terminal of the input IEC power connector, the S side of the SR marking on the fuse should be towards the Line terminal of the IEC connector.  

For fuses on the Neutral terminal, the R side of the SR marking is towards the Neutral terminal of the IEC Neutral connector. 

Please let me know your comments and if this theory is a proper way to orient fuses.

Alex
More to discover