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
David Prichard ....

Its wonderful to see your return David.

The best to you and your Mom. She's a very fortunate woman to have a son such as yourself, David. So many children of our advanced Seniors won't expend the time, finances or energy until the time comes when its too late.  That's when one of the Universal Laws dawns on them ... and that is that discipline weighs ounces and regret weights tons. 

dlcockrum ...

On the SR Atmosphere level III PC's ... They replaced some very highly regarded PC's that were in the system for about five years or so. Initially, the SR's gave an overall improvement.  Then, just like the Black fuses, I heard the abnormalities. 

I started a thread in the A'gon cable forum regarding the SR Atmosphere PC's. Here's the link:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/synergistic-research-atmosphere-power-cords

Since adding the SR Atmosphere PC's to the system, and a few months after attending the Newport show, I acquired a pair of Von Gaylord "Return of The Legend" speaker cables and two Von Gaylord "Return of The Legend" IC's.  The combination of the two makes of cables in the system was a real match made in musical heaven. 

For those of you not familiar with Ray Leung, the designer of the Von Gaylord products, I can tell you that he's a real gentleman and a genius of a designer. I was completely blown away by the natural tonal balance and the overall sound in his demo room at the show. Here's a link to his site:

http://vongaylordaudio.com/beta/

Here's a link to Ray's cables:

http://vongaylordaudio.com/beta/cabling/

Yes, expensive stuff ... but just like the SR products, with Ray Leung's "Return of The Legend" products you definitely get what you pay for. 

Frank
I don't know if I still need to replace the remaining 2 rail fuses in my amp.  My system has never sound so good.  Like what Frank said, I just don't want to leave home and play one song after another.  It doesn't just make sound but it makes MUSIC!  Not sure if it was the copper that I stripped off from the outlet, the new SR black outlet or the 2 black fuses that I put into my amp.  I will probably take the fuses out once they are fully break in to find out how good the outlet really is.  The first day sounded really bright and loud.  The second day was worst, vocals sounded horrible.  It was like trying to sing when you have a cold.  I hate that sound.  I expected the break in period to be longer but now it sounds really good already.  I am not sure if it will get even better.  Also, I thought I was just going to get more bass and better soundstage from what you guys were saying by installing the SR black outlet.  I did not expect to get increase details, better dynamics, more 3D sound and most important of all it is more musical now.  I have a feeling this effect will get magnified as you add more fuses or other SR devices to your system.  Just my 2 cents and I want to go back to listen to music now:)

Goodness lots of the SR fuses blowing. No doubt that cost is figured into the pricing due to all the replacements going out? I have read on various threads at several sites folks blowing there $100+ SR fuses. Replacing a 5 amp fuse with 8 amp? Hope this is not an issue with your gear and design down the road when the fuse may really be needed?
I'm quoting myself from 12/22 
As to the blown main amp fuses, SR Elliott is sending 8 amp fuses because my big amps have a massive pair of capacitors each as opposed to multiple small caps like most modern amps.  He said that the big caps draw a big instant load and the fuses have to compensate (the SR fuses are rated for typical loads at 5 amps not my big loads).

I haven't blown a fuse in 15 years in my amps except when a book fell and took out 3 of the top 6 output tubes.  My amps have twin 3" wide X 7" high caps, very big for 125 watt tube amps.  SR fuses may have different melting points as it has been pointed out in a previous post, the variance in melting points for fuses range as much as 400%.  So Littlefuse and Bussman fuses may have high melting points whereas SR may have a low melting point.  There maybe even more idiosyncratic characteristics of fuses which I don't know about; however, I feel confident that an 8 amp fuse in my amps won't hurt them by not blowing if another accident occurs.
Understand and thank you very much for the explanation with your particular amps.