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
Wolf, I found this on another thread and it may (or may not) answer your question:
auxinput
309 posts
11-17-2016 12:31pm
The idea that fuses and power supply components are not part of the signal chain is not entirely correct. Anything coming in from the A/C, power cables, fuses, rectifiers, regulators, or power supplies can all become part of the output signal.

An operational amplifier circuit (whether discrete or monolithic op amp) will only pass through the actual signal if the signal is coming in on the inverting input of the op amp AND the negative feedback gain is unity gain (0 gain) or less than unity gain (i.e. it’s forcing op amp to de-amplify the signal). In this case, the waveform signal will actually route itself around the op amp using the negative feedback line as a pathway. That being said, even with unity gain, the type of op amp or power supply elements will still influence the character or sonic signature of the audio.

If the negative feedback circuit is set to create a "gain" (or amplify), it increases the voltage of the waveform by using voltage from the positive/negative rails from the power supply (i.e. +/-15V). This additional voltage is sent through the output pin of the op amp. It this case, the fuse, power cord, A/C elements will contribute to the character of the waveform (in the sense of affecting how the op amp slews in relating to the input waveform, how far/fast it slews, character of the DC noise, etc.).

In a power amp circuit, the output transistors have to create massive gain (turning a 1V input into something like 15-100 watts or more). It has to use the A/C power coming in to create this voltage, so your signal is actually something like 98% A/C voltage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FYHt5XviKc

I’ve posted that link before, but it’s an excellent lecture on how op amps actually work.

It may explain why some hear improvements and some do not. It's all over my head but it shows causality of sorts.

All the best,
Nonoise



An interesting comment:
"Oregonpapa, continuing to promote these things with silly nonsense is like continuing to try to ride a dead horse"
Or,should one say "a dead parrot"???  
Jason,
Wolf did try the Black fuses in his system and said it offered no improvement compared to his stock fuses. Very different experience from mine but I certainly accept his result. Different ears, room, components etc. We can only report what we hear.
Charles
Thanks, Charles.  I envy wolf.  He is saving a lot of money :)

Mac, you ever visit LA, shoot me a line.  I make a mean burger, and have plenty of beer on tap.

Anyway, thanks to all of you.  As I said before, this thread has been of immense help.  Even if these fuses didn't work for me, I'm glad to see so many like minded people sharing their opinions.  It's been entertaining, informative, amusing, and made me feel connected to this hobby even more.

Thanks again,
Jason



 Wolfie ...

I'll say it again for the umpteenth time ... I am a salesman and not an engineer. I do not care how the fuses work, only that they do. Its a mystery to me why you continue doubting in the face of all of the positive comments in this thread ... all 74 pages of it at this point.  I suggest that you call Ted Denny at SR and ask him how they work. He's the designer and the engineer and most likely has all of the technical jargon to satisfy your curiosity. 

Frank