Aftermarket Fuses

wolf_garcia Consider this: others objecting to what you call the hard sell of what you insist is nonsensical and inexplicable pseudo tweaks is tough on people like you who believe the industry suffers hyperbole fueled sales scams and fraudulent claims. I get that, and my sympathies go out to those who insist on telling others how they should hear things, because those fragile butterflies remain frightened of criticism by those who’ve actually had positive experiences with tweaks that allow them to hear new things. Regarding oregonpapa’s "10,000 to 1" comment, I understand you claim it’s a fact that MOST rational hifi geeks are too smart to explore the tweak world, and the ratio of those who insist their stock fuses work as well as what they imagine are premium "magic" junk (including the vast majority of brilliant audio component designers) is likely 1,000,000 to 1, so I'm not sure why you are so upset over what you call "junk." Clearly you need the attention.

oregonpapa ...

The AR Ref 6 IS an amazing piece, and quite a bargain at around $15K, and a steal if found used. I probably would have had no complaints about the Ref 6 had I not been able to drive my amp directly with my Berkeley processor. Especially on close-miked piano, the highs rang crystal clear like bells when driven directly. With the Ref 6, the same highs took on an ever so slightly tinny quality. So, I took on the project of trying to improve the highs of the Ref 6. A Sain Line Systems power cord did a lot. Genuine Reflektor tubes helped a bit. And the highs with the Synergistic Black fuse took on a more crystal clear character. The Black fuse was better than the Blue, in this regard. But the Blue may have been better, overall.

Then I got offered the VTL TL 7.5 III at a Could Not Refuse price. I could have easily sold it and made some money had I not loved it. I Love It. The VTL has a clarity and purity in the highs I could never quite achieve with the AR.

Otherwise, their presentation is different. Not better. Not worse. The Ref 6 has a more dynamic, forward image, like Row E.  The VTL has a more laid-back organic presentation, more like Row J.

So much depends on system matching. The Ref 6 was a fantastic mate to the D'Agostino. The VTL, at best, sounded mediocre. However, I greatly prefer the VTL with a pair of Lamm M 1.2 Reference monos. They just meld better. Ultimately, I chose the VTL/Lamm combo over the Audio Research/D'Agostino. But both combos were Highly Musical.

The VTL offers one more thing the Audio Research really can't, and that's tube rolling. I can pretty much make the VTL sound however I want based upon the 12AU7 tubes I have installed. And, yes, I tried Telefunken, Siemens, Amperex, Mullard, JJ, Cifte, you name it. And get this- my choice in preamp tubes? Mid 60s long plate Toshiba Japan 12AU7s.

Now, somebody out there tell me that all tubes sound the same. ;)

So, I guess the $64K question is did you try the fuses in both directions? 😳