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
I am with charles and grannyring on this one power supply and transformer quality being critically important on any tube amp. Never heard any of the Inspire amps but I will say I was very impressed with a Cary PP 2a3 integrated Vu lent me for few days. Incredibly transparent amp though the boss said it was too bright and I couldn't keep it. They do say women have better hearing but man I was in love with that amp!
From what I’ve gleaned looking around for reviews, the "Inspire" amps from Dennis Had have been pretty well accepted. I’d be interested to read otherwise since I’m considering a lower powered SE amp in my rig. Jmcgrogan2…feel free to suggest some reviews that helped you form your opinion as I’ll read ’em.

I don’t read reviews, I find them to be a waste of time. Too many times I’ve read rave reviews, only to be disappointed.
I provide my own reviews. I either like something, or I do not.

A few years back I was using a Cary SLP-98P preamp which I liked quite a bit. I found out about Dennis’ Inspire line through threads on a website. I really wanted it to work, as did Dennis Had. He was very helpful, sending different tubes to try, and everything else.
In the end, the sound was not good at all. The sound-stage was congested, it never opened up, and the highs and lows were rolled off.
Dennis was great to work with all along the way. He even refunded all of my money when I returned the amp after 3 weeks of trying different tube combinations trying to bring it to life.
My speakers may have had something to do with it, rated at 90 dB, 8 ohm load (Soliloquy). Certainly not HIGHLY efficient.
However, many who raved about this amp had less efficient speakers.....so.....

I still have the utmost respect for Dennis Had. The work he did at Cary was first rate. He is also a first class human being, and a LOT of fun to talk with.
His Inspire amp did not work for me, but he certainly tried his best.
On the amp for wolf-garcia ....

If it were me, I'd have A'goner Grover Huffman build a Dyna Stereo 70 EXACTLY like the one A'goner Steve Fleschler has driving his Legacy Signature III's.  The Legacy's are 94db, easy to drive, and Grover's amp is simply amazing.

Frank  
 
Frank,
I’m sure the Huffman is a fine push pull amplifier (I trust your judgement). If Wolf however is interested in entering the world of lower power single ended I suggest that Canadian Coincident Dynamo MK II from Israel Blume. It is a SEP (el 34 Pentode wired for triode duty). It has very high quality transformers and robust power supply. Just another option to consider. It weighs 30 lbs,very solid chassis and has significant grunt yet very refined sound quality.
Good luck Wolf.
Charles
John,
You gave the Had Inspire a honest chance.  One thing I have observed,  tube rolling won't rescue an inherently "too" compromised amplifier. It must have a solid foundation to begin with. 
Charles