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

Okay jazz lovers ... especially lovers of West Coast jazz. Here's a must have CD or LP. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conte-Candoli-All-Stars-LITTLE-BAND-BIG-JAZZ-/252807781998?hash=item3adc849e...

I'm only listing the CD here. I have several copies of the album on vinyl, including one on red vinyl (the best sounding one) and one copy on CD. The vinyl records have excellent sound ... but the CD is just as good in the sound department. This is West Coast jazz at its best.

Frank
fleschler
2,029 posts
 
Robert and I use this CD which he introduced me to, for testing equipment and changes in our audio system.   If it doesn't sound great, there is something wrong with the system.  I found out that my mid range drivers on my Focus speakers were lacking in polyester batting due to the hard and blurry/blurry horns.   Upon remedying the problem, horns sounded rich and smooth.  These were not due to factory error but the guy who rewired my speakers prior to purchase didn't replace the batting which they needed plenty of.   Great CD!


oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
^^^ Thanks, fleschler. I'll bet it sounds terrific on your system.

I listened to it all the way through during last night's listening session. The band was in the room. How can you go wrong on this CD with this caliber of musicians ready to jump out at you?  

Here's another one that I dug out of the vault last night. If you have it, play cut #14 and crank up the volume. Its a good test of a system's dynamics and the ability to "hold together" while blowing the walls down ... not to mention that its great music a well. :-)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antal-Dor-ti-Stravinsky-The-Firebird-etc-Antal-Dorati-CD-5LVG-/302233218987?...

Frank
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I understand the Mercury Living Presence CDs are out of absolute polarity. Can you do me a solid and reverse speaker connections on both speakers to see if one way sounds better than the other? when the CD is in correct polarity it should sound much more dynamic and coherent with huge soundstage. thanks in advance.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
^^^ geoffkait ...

I have a polarity switch on my pre-amp. I'll check it out and get back to you, although what this disc was doing last night was uncanny. Huge sound stage,  instruments all separated and tonally correct. The brass was incredible and the kettle and bass drums were spectacular.  And no matter how loud I played it, short of my neighbors running after me with torches, it all held together. 

As a side note, two days before this listening session, I switched the amp (ARC REF-75se) from the 8 ohm taps to the 4 ohm taps.  I'm getting a lot more slam and bass response now. Slightly better overall clarity too. 

Frank
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