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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,102 posts
 
I posted some new system pics.  There is a sr fuse in one even. 
fleschler
1,994 posts
 
I improved my system by about 20% of what the fuses have done by replacing the 6SN7 cathode follower tubes in my amps today. I had 1950s GE tubes which Andy of Vintage Tube Services stated they are mediocre at best. He told me to stick with RCA and Sylvania tubes. I purchased a pair of Sylvania 6SN7 GTB 1950s tubes. The manufacturer told me that the cathode follower tubes all sound the same.  Wrong.  The improvement was immediate. Superior ambience, greater micro-dynamics, clearer sound. Sounds a lot like the benefit of the fuses but not as dramatic (the bass, mids and macro dynamics sound about the same other than the enhanced clarity).

As to comments about audiophile designations, I am probably only a borderline audiophile based on my having mostly decades old equipment, 10 year old CD players (EAR Acute), analog gear (VPI TNT VI, Benz Ruby 3 other than a modded SME IV arm from 1989), 15 year old custom amps, preamp, phono stage, 23 year old speakers (Legacy Focus & Sig IIIs), 50 year old 2nd system with highly modded Dynaco ST70 and 18 year old highly modded CD player. The only changes I’ve made in the past 10 years are to the tweaks, Hallographs, Stillpoints, Fuses, Duplex Outlets, Wiring and a Bryston 20 amp isolation transformer. I’m more concerned with the music than the sound which is why I have 42,000 records and CDs. I spend more time listening to music than watching TV despite having a 75" 4K 1 year old Sony with all the software, channels and Android apps one could want.


charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,249 posts
 
Hi fleschler,
Andy is a very knowledgeable and reliable source. I’ve bought from him in the past and was pleased with his tubes and service. As I’ve mentioned in this thread previously, the SR Black fuses were sonically more impactful than some tube swaps that I’ve done. As with you my music listening hours exceeds my television viewing. You certainly have an  "enormous " (and I am sure wonderful sounding) library of recordings 😊.
Charles
jetter
3,032 posts
 
Hi fleschler,

If you have the time, I would love to see a picture/pictures of what it looks like to have 42,000 records and CDs.  I can't even imagine.
Thanks,
George
marqmike
839 posts
 
+5 Dlcockrum. Funny in a dignified way is not lost on me.
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