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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
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
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...


charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
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 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Frank,
Good point about Sarah maintaining her voice late into her career,  I feel the same about Mel Torme's  voice longevity. 
Charles 
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
I recently saw Brad Mehldau do a solo show doing Bach and Bach-ish improv on an unamplified Steinway. The sound was amazing (Sanders Theater near Harvard), and Brad is a friggin' genius (a step up from regular genius). I have a lot of his recordings and sonically they're  generally balanced and great sounding things, avoiding the "30 foot wide drum kit" sound and obvious digital effects…highly recommended.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Wolf,
Mehldau, is someone I’m only vaguely aware of. Are there any generally "straight ahead " jazz genre recordings you’d recommend as an introduction to him? I’m glad the 30 foot wide drum kit is excluded.
Thanks,
Charles
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