Synergistic Red Fuse ...

Not directed towards anyone, just a general comment.

I'm still old school and believe that when someone has the need to repeatedly (emphasized) change interconnects, speaker cables, power cables, fuses, power outlets, power supplies, etc. its not refinement they need, but a major change in the overall sound of their system.  A change that can only be achieved by changing components.  At a certain point saying how much you love your sound and then doing anything to change it under the guise of refinement seems disingenuous and bound to fail. IMHO

In response to request by georgelofi for SR statement on fuse directionality. From somewhere in cyberspace,

Valerio,
In my experience nearly all fuses are directional including SR Quantum Fuses. I recommend you try them in one component at at time and experiment with directionality. You should immediately notice a preference for one direction or the other. If a component has more than one fuse use a DVM (Digital Volt Meter) to determine direction of current in the circuit. Once you know the direction of current in each fuse holder place all fuses in like direction paying attention to have the letters on the SR Quantum Fuses all in the same direction either reading in the direction of signal flow, or against. Next switch direction and the correct match to your component should be readily apparent. There are just too many variables for me to make a blanket recommendation for all components when such a simple and definitive test is available.

As to having to take a reviewers word for it (or not,) regarding which fuse to try / buy you have the option to audition SR Quantum Fuses for 30 days in your system with a full refund of the cost of the fuse should you elect to go a different way. Our 30-day no risk audition policy takes the guess work out of trying SR Quantum Fuses and is offered because I am certain we make the best sounding fuses in the world.

Yours in music,
Ted Denney III
Lead Designer, Synergistic Research Inc.

Nyame 1-23-2017
It is very difficult to respond rationally to to this type of convoluted nonsense. The only way to determine whether a fuse make a difference is to listen to it. No "measured data" can make this determination. This is why final evaluation of high quality audio products has to pass a listening test before approved for sale.

I agree, aside from the first sentence. My statement to which you were responding did not say or imply anything to the contrary.

The only question is whether the resolution of the playback system is is good enough to allow the difference to be heard. Not all playback systems have the benefits of tuned acoustics, absence from vibrations, optimized loudspeaker placement, good grounding etc

The sound quality and musical resolution of a component or system does not **necessarily** go hand in hand with the sensitivity of a component design to fuse differences, or its sensitivity to any other differences in hardware or tweaks for that matter. Conflating musical resolution and the sensitivity of a design to hardware differences is a common audiophile misconception, IMO, as I have said in a number of past threads. Although there will often tend to be at least a loose degree of correlation between the two, of course.

To cite just one example illustrating that point, among countless others that could be cited, a speaker having low impedance and highly capacitive impedance phase angles, and/or an impedance that varies widely as a function of frequency, will tend to be more revealing of amplifier and speaker cable differences than one that is easy to drive and has a relatively flat impedance curve. Even though that says nothing about which speaker will provide better sound quality or superior resolution of musical detail.

It is THE POWER SUPPLY that is reponsible for the improvements. The fuse allow the power supply to perform more effectively and this, not the fuse, is responsible for the improved performance.

This is a meaningless distinction, IMO.

I DID NOT CONCLUDE THAT THE FUSE ITSELF IS INHERENTLY DIRECTIONAL.

Thank you for the clarifications you provided on this in response to comments by the others. FWIW, I did not say that **you** concluded that a fuse is inherently directional.

Does any one on this forum really believe that Oregonpapa (The OP of this thread ) is delusional. Can all the many positive reviews of the Synergistic Research fuses on this thread, and in other forums, explained away by saying they are being misled by "perceived effects of the wrong variable?

I have considerable respect for Frank’s system, sonic perceptiveness, and sincerity. My statement certainly did not imply that extraneous variables are responsible for all or even most of the reported differences. However I would feel safe in assuming that they were a factor in **some** of the reports. Especially when it comes to claims of inherent directionality.

In any event, as things stand now it seems clear that the thread has encompassed a plethora of reported experiences, opinions, and technical considerations covering all sides of the issue. Those reading the thread can and will form their own conclusions as to whom and what to believe, and as to how and if to proceed with any fuse upgrades that may be considered.

Regards,
-- Al

P.S: My thanks are extended to those who expressed favorable reactions to the summary in my previous post, "believers" and "non-believers" alike.

Al from my perspective, your summary is the one presented here that best accounts for most all actual experiences related here with the fuses. That’s an indicator of a sound argument. Not to mention your large and sterling track record of providing valuable unbiased posts based on sound technical facts and reason here over many years.

Arguments based on defects with other peoples hearing or systems are totally unsubstantiated since the system in question have never been heard in support of the argument. Its not even an opinion rather a conclusion based on no actual fact or information other than a belief or assertion that the fuses must always make a difference which of course can never be proven, only that they can or may in certain cases.

Attempts to discredit or even chase away those with different or unpopular findings in my mind in fact discredits the accuser, not the intended victim. Its a reaction based purely on emotion or some other agenda and holds no water whatsoever. Pure bully tactics.

My issues or reservations are with Synergistic Research and their products discussed here specifically. I have not observed the value as a pricey (as fuses go) upgrade over the fuse provided in my Audio Research pre-amp in my particular case. That’s it.

Also I would tend to not buy products from Synergistic Research specifically based on my experience to date and assessment of information provided by SR on their products to date. That’s my judgement call based on my experience. Others obviously love their stuff.

jetter sez:

"At a certain point saying how much you love your sound and then doing anything to change it under the guise of refinement seems disingenuous and bound to fail."   

It seems to me, Jetter,  that people come to this hobby in two flavors. There are equipment freaks and then there are music lovers. As for me, any improvement I make to the system that gets me closer to the music, I'm all in.

While I do "love" the sound currently offered up by the system, if the installation of a new tweak, Herbie's tube dampeners for example (highly recommended), allows for more realism, especially in the area of correct tonal balance, I'm on it. 

I agree with you to a point Jetter ... most seasoned audiophiles have met the type who spend an ungodly amount on their equipment and have a paltry music collection consisting of mostly "audiophile" type of recordings. These are the equipment freaks who are just chasing their tails.

 On the other hand, there are those who have thousands of recordings in their collections who listen through modified Dyna 70's and Dyna Pas-3's and enjoy every second of it.  I wouldn't fault this guy for upgrading to a nice ARC Classic 60 and an ARC SP-14.  Or for that matter, fault him/her for just sticking  SR Black fuses in his Dyna equipment.   Same thing applies all the way up the line. 

When ever I'm invited to hear a system in a home for the first time, I always check the music collection out first. It says all one needs to know. 

Its the music first ... always. :-)

Frank