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
Re: SR Black break in, my experience is that they sound glorious when first installed, super punchy and robust bass, excellent dynamics, etc. This is the time to check direction and listen for the more open, focused, and dimensionally-correct soundstage. A few hours later, well, the sound turns dreadful. Wanders all over the place over the next three days (just as Frank says), still brittle and two-dimensional the whole time, but then, on the fourth morning, BAM. Gets even better after that in a more subtle way. Found the same to be true of the SR receptacles, power cords, and Powercell.

fleschler, I use Hollographs in the rear corners (behind me), and agree that they add a bit of image focus and expansiveness to the soundstage when rotated properly. They actually hurt the sound when placed behind my Thiels, as did the HFTs, the latter intolerably bright, but good results in bringing the soundstage forward with no loss of depth when placed at tweeter height behind me. Suspect this is an anomaly specific to my speakers and room.

Best to all,
Dave

My goodness what a wonderful Christmas present to read the above posts.
First I did get to spend both morning and evening time yesterday with my Mother who turned 93 in November. She recently changed her Synergistic Research Atmosphere Tuning Module from the original Red to the new Green. More detail in sounds such as solo guitar. Chet playing his guitar sounds even better now. The positive effect of a satisfying music system is clearly shown in my Mother's attitude towards aging and dealing with day to day life. She did not become an audiophile until age 88! She often comments on her pre and post audiophile life.

Nyame is absolutely correct about thinking in terms of the whole system. In fact concerning cars, do not forget that as it is important to replace tires as a set,  it is also important to routinely get those tires and wheels balanced twice a year. Very similar to periodically cleaning your stereo system's connectors. The household's new Honda Accord did not impress me at speeds above 40 mph. With 5000 miles on the car I had the wheels rebalanced. Wow! It now drives smooth as silk and quiet at 75. 

My sincere wish to all who read this thread is to have a satisfying and joyous 2017 and to start that by having a satisfying and joyous today.

David Pritchard
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