2. amps-preamps
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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
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dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Back to tommylion’s posts re: the use of digital 75ohm terminator caps, I tried a BNC 75ohm terminator on the unused BNC input of my Exogal DAC and could hear no audible improvement. Tried a RCA 75ohm terminator cap ($1) on my Modwright5400ES player’s unused s/pdif digital output and heard a reduction in the noise floor. I think that Al (almarg) said that the improvement from 75ohm terminators would be greatest on digital outputs vs inputs and I found that to be true.

Also tried RCA shorting caps on the unused analog inputs on my Ayre preamp and heard no effect, but using same on the unused analog inputs of my Onkyo digital processor (HT system) I did hear a reduction in glare. Likely due to the difference between the quality of input isolation of the Ayre vs the Onkyo.

Dave
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oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
hifiman ...

So ... how did you like the Chet Baker CD??
lak's avatar
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lak
4,657 posts
 
@oregonpapa after reading your post I purchased the Chet Baker CD you referred to and I like it! I also picked up the Horace Silver (12 Classic Albums 1953 - 1962) that I'm enjoying.
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hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@oregonpapa 

 Thanks for asking!  I love everything about that disc.  All of the musicians feel so relaxed and in tune with one another.  It's effortless music as if it just flowed out of them with each in perfect sync with the others.  The recording is remarkably atmospheric and open.  Chet's trumpet note decay flows naturally from the left channel decaying into the right. No showboating!  It is a perfect example of ensemble jazz with players being mutually respectful.  Democracy in music!
tommylion
874 posts
 
Just wanted to let folks here know about the latest addition to my system. It is a Core Power Technologies Equi=Core 300 balanced power cord between the wall and the Tara power strip my system is plugged into. I know some of you have, or have heard, one of the CPT units. If not, I highly recommend looking into them.

Of course, I couldn’t leave things there. I had to try and up the ante by putting a Bybee iQSE inside it. Wow! A very synergistic combo! I am hearing a dramatically lowered noise floor. This brings out a wealth of unheard detail, naturally integrated into a wonderful musical whole. It is much easier to follow the various lines in complex music. The sense of life and "realness" of all types of music has jumped to another level.
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