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
Hi Frank,
Regarding Jay Hoggard I haven’t heard "Solar Power " but I’ll seek it out. Vibe with the Hammond B3 is usually a winning combination. His "Overview " recording is beautiful music that also recorded well, I believe that you’ll enjoy this one quite a bit.

Steve Nelson is really a fine player and is on a label that records him well. I suggest "Sound Effect " and "Full Nelson ".

Stefon Harris, I recommend "African Tarantella " he’s a terrific vibraphonist. Some of his recordings do have a bit of the "modern artifact " character but he’s a first rate musician. Nelson and Hoggard are on labels that typically have a more natural sound.

Yes in regard to Patricia Barber overkill at shows for demonstration (D. Krall fits this category as well). In a sense I understand it, these two vocalists are extremely popular with the target audiophile crowd attending the audio shows. They will play what they believe people want to hear. Just as you mentioned, I take recordings I’m very familiar with and enjoy. This does help me in assessing various systems and components. It's interesting to listen and realize that some highly regarded and expensive components/speakers fall short on musical emotion and natural tone and timbre.  Just an observation. 

Admittedly it’s a matter of taste. I don’t think they’re bad, but I’m spoiled by the greats such as Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. Simply pure subjectivity of course. Among the current crop of female vocalists I really like Roberta Garbarini, her "You Are There " recording with the late great pianist Hank Jones is wonderful both musically and recording quality. Frank I believe that you’ll enjoy and appreciate this effort.
Charles

Frank/Charles - firstly thanks for your contributions to these forums, I find your thread input valuable. This AT ART-9 cartridge is really twirling my propeller.

Before you give up on Patrica Barber, try her 'Modern Cool' album, it's the only recording of hers where I like the compositions, although all her stuff is well recorded.  try 'touch of trash' or 'you the night and the music' on  youtube.

all the best.  

richmon ...

Try just one of Charles' suggestions .... some EARLY Carmen McRae or Sarah Vaughn in her later years when she was actually in her prime.

Sarah Vaughn had this enormous voice, not unlike a voluminous tenor saxophone player such as Ben Webster or Lester Young.  Unlike Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn never lost her voice and maintained perfect pitch to the very end. 

Try the last two cuts on this album ("I've got a crush on you," and "A Foggy Day in London Town") to see what I mean about Sarah Vaughn. Your Art-9 will bring out the best in her voice. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SARAH-VAUGHAN-MICHAEL-TILSON-THOMAS-Gershwin-Live-JAPAN-Orig-VG-OBI-LP-/1723...

Here's my favorite Carmen McRae CD. She's at her finest here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CARMEN-McRAE-SINGS-GREAT-AMERICAN-SONGWRITERS-COMPLETE-CD-1993-MCA-/32246852...


Hi Richmon, 
Thanks for the kind comments.  I do not dislike Barber and I am familiar with her music.  That’s why I acknowledged these preferences are nothing but personal.  Don't know if you are familiar with or listen to Sarah Vaughan but here are a few examples of her marvelous talent. 

"Sarah Vaughan +2" Early 1960s recording. 
"After Hours " another excellent early 1960s studio recording. 
"How Long Has This Been Going On " 1978. Features Oscar Peterson  and Joe Pass, need I say more? 😊

Carmen McRae "The Great American Songbook " which  Frank suggested is an excellent live jazz venue recording from the early 1970s. Joe Pass is featured. 
"Bittersweet " 1964 studio. 
"Velvet Soul"  Early 1970s. 
All  of these are terrific in my opinion. 
Charles 
Frank,
Good point about Sarah maintaining her voice late into her career,  I feel the same about Mel Torme's  voice longevity. 
Charles