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
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
"At the risk of alienating anyone I will repeat for the umpty umpth time" that fuses are NOT part of the signal path and have zero…and I mean zero…effect on the signal when performing properly.

Thanks so much for reassuring me. Your wisdom means the world to me.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The only direction of current in an AC circuit we should be worried about is the direction pointing towards the system. You can forget about the direction pointing toward the power plant. Hel-loo!

wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
I do think power cords are important as without them there is no power getting to the gear. Use power cords…they're a good thing.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,464 posts
 
Gary, sorry but really? Just like filter caps, chokes, and diodes all these power supply parts impact the resulting sound. The fuse is part of the power supply. If you doubt it, then build the exact same tube amp with common cheap electrolytic caps the the other with Clarity TC film caps. Listen to both. Yes  indeed in one sense all power supply parts are indeed in the signal path. 

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,249 posts
 
Bill,
Gary is actually making the same point as you.  Unquestionably the power supply affects the audio signal and significantly impacts sound quality.  Each part in a power supply has an effect as you've pointed out with your examples.  All who aspire to build a high quality audio component put much attention and effort toward the power supply. 
Charles 
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