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The new Synergistic Research BLUE fuses ....

New SR BLUE fuse thread ...

I’ve replaced all 5 of the SR BLACK fuses in my system with the new SR BLUE fuses. Cold, out of the box, the BLUE fuses stomped the fully broken-in SR BLACKS in a big way. As good as the SR BLACK fuses were/are, especially in comparison with the SR RED fuses, SR has found another break-through in fuses.

1. Musicality ... The system is totally seamless at this point. Its as if there is no system in the room, only a wall to wall, front to back and floor to ceiling music presentation with true to life tonality from the various instruments.

2. Extension ... I’ve seemed to gain about an octave in low bass response. This has the effect of putting more meat on the bones of the instruments. Highs are very extended, breathing new life into my magic percussion recordings. Vibes, chimes, bells, and triangles positioned in the rear of the orchestra all have improved. I’ve experienced no roll-off of the highs what so ever with the new BLUE fuses. Just a more relaxed natural presentation.

3. Dynamics ... This is a huge improvement over the BLACK fuses. Piano and vibes fans ... this is fantastic.

I have a Japanese audiophile CD of Flamenco music ... the foot stomps on the stage, the hand clapping and the castanets are present like never before. Want to hear natural sounding castanets? Get the BLUE fuses.

4. Mid range ... Ha! Put on your favorite Ben Webster album ... and a pair of adult diapers. Play Chris Connor singing "All About Ronnie," its to die for.

Quick .... someone here HAS to buy this double album. Its a bargain at this price. Audiophile sound, excellent performance by the one and only Chris Connor. Yes, its mono ... but so what? Its so good you won’t miss the stereo effects. If you’re the lucky person who scores this album, please post your results here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ULTRASONIC-CLEAN-The-Finest-Of-CHRIS-CONNOR-Bethlehem-Jazz-1975-NM-UNPLAYED-...

Overall impressions:

Where the RED fuses took about 20 hours to sound their best, and the BLACK fuses took upwards of 200 hours of total break-in, the BLUE fuses sounded really good right out of the box ... and that’s without doing anything about proper directional positioning. Not that the BLUE fuses don’t need breaking in, they do. The improvement continues through week three. Its a gradual break-in thing where each listening session is better than the last.

Everything I described above continues to break new ground in my system as the fuses continue breaking in. Quite honestly, I find it difficult to tear myself away from the system in order to get things done. Its truly been transformed into a magical music machine. With the expenditure of $150.00 and a 30 day return policy there’s really nothing to lose. In my system, its like upgrading to a better pre amp, amp, CD player or phono stage. Highly recommended.

Kudos to Ted Denney and the entire staff at SR. Amazing stuff, guys. :-)

Frank

PS: If you try the SR BLUE fuses, please post your results here. Seems the naysayers, the Debbie Downers and Negative Nellie’s have hijacked the original RED fuse thread. A pox on their houses and their Pioneer receivers.

Frank



128x128oregonpapa
tommylion
872 posts
 
A couple days ago I told a friend that what my system has excelled at lately is projecting a life, energy and feel that is very similar to what I experience with live music. Switching out the black fuse in my amp for a blue one today, it has taken a big leap further in that direction.

Unless the sound takes an unexpected turn for the worse over the next week or two, I'll be getting two more blues for my CD Transport and DAC.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
For those of you who feel "ripped off" keep in mind these two things: first, the BLACK fuses have been on the market for around two years. Second, we live in a country that enjoys a free market economy where competition is fierce. It behooves the producers to continue with R&D, improving their products. This is how a producer stays ahead of their competition. It’s no different for SR and Ted Denney. The positive side is the consumer continues to benefit with the improved products. If you truly feel ripped off, get your head wrapped around the concept that you are involved in a hobby that is continually in the upgrade mode. If you can’t deal with it, either don’t buy the upgrades or find a new hobby.

For the rest of us, we'll gladly pay the price to get closer to the Holy Grail. .. i.e., reproducing live music in our homes. 

Frank
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
4,867 posts
 
In the meantime my magic music machine is sounding better than ever. Kudos to SR.

jay23
210 posts
 
For those of you who feel "ripped off" keep in mind these two things: first, the BLACK fuses have been on the market for around two years. Second, we live in a country that enjoys a free market economy where competition is fierce. It behooves the producers to continue with R&D, improving their products. This is how a producer stays ahead of their competition. It’s no different for SR and Ted Denney. The positive side is the consumer continues to benefit with the improved products. If you truly feel ripped off, get your head wrapped around the concept that you are involved in a hobby that is continually in the upgrade mode. If you can’t deal with it, either don’t buy the upgrades or find a new hobby.

While I mostly agree, I feel sorry for those that jumped at the last sale, if they’re out of the 30 day return window and they want to upgrade. It’s slightly disingenuous to host a sale to reduce stock - then release a new product, and discount the Large Black - without mentioning the new product.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,795 posts
 
@jay23,
I kind of agree with your feelings about the last sale that SR had but if one followed the threads here, it was highly probable that SR was coming out with a new fuse, hence the discount. And, that is how SR has done it for the last few versions: discount and then, new product. Some who jumped on it needed the discount and most likely knew it beforehand. With the SR Black fuses, they'll still enjoy the benefits.

All the best,
Nonoise
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