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Quantum Science Audio light blue fuse; $71, what a bargain!

I wanted to start a new thread about the more affordable versions of these fuses. I don’t doubt that the higher end versions are amazing, but most of us aren’t very likely to be able to hear them for ourselves. Fortunately, pretty much anyone who is serious about building a musically enjoyable and engaging system can get a good taste of what they’re all about.


I’ve had the light blue QSA fuses ($71) in my CD transport and DAC for over two weeks, now. They replaced SR blue fuses, at around twice the price, and easily bettered them. I am expecting one more light blue tomorrow, to replace an SR orange in my amp. I’ll give an update on that, once I get it installed and listen.


Meanwhile, here are a couple quotes from my posts on the other thread:


“What I am hearing is; voices & instruments are more solid and lifelike, with increased natural detail and sense of space, better dynamics, and a more relaxed overall sound.”


“Just got in a second light blue fuse for my DAC. So far, more of the same improvements I got in my CD transport. Very nice!😃 One thing I appreciate is the break in seems to be pretty quick, without any of the nasties you get with some other stuff. Pop it in, and you’ll hear improvements in short order, at least that’s been my experience.”


I am continuing to greatly enjoy what these fuses bring to my system, and am really looking forward to getting the last one in my amp.


tommylion
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
Further evaluations on the Yellow Fuse vs the SR Orange fuse:

A friend, a very experienced listener, record collector, and audiophile came over this morning. We spent the time doing A/B comparisons. It is very easy and quick to do on the ARC REF-3 line stage. Here’s what we came up with:

New Yellow Fuse: Much deeper and more articulate bass. Purer highs, more overall clarity, and faster. There is a more well-defined front-to-back and side-to-side soundstage. Quite remarkable, indeed.

The SR Orange fuse: So far it loses out on all of the above areas, BUT .. it has a more liquid midrange. It is more tube-like in a very good way. From a musically involving standpoint, the SR Orange fuse still wins the day.

At this point, both fuses have their strengths. Ultimately, I’m hoping that things will improve with the Yellow fuse’s midrange as it breaks in more, as I’m only about ten hours in on it. If it can eventually match the beautiful midrange of the SR Orange fuses, then indeed, we have a true Allstar.

I recall, the SR Orange fuses needed about 50 hours of break-in to sound their best.

All of this is system-dependent of course. In the meantime, I’ll be holding off on my second Yellow fuse purchase until the current one is fully broken in.

Stay tuned ...

Frank

PS: The Orange fuse has been treated with PPT Total Contact, and the Yellow fuse has not.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 



I believe that some of the improvements that others claim to hear could just as well be a matter of making a new clean connection.
So correct

 To those "non technical" members that are interested, do not listen to fusers, listen to the techs of this industry that design the audio products you have.AND YOU WON"T SEE THEM ON THREADS LIKE THIS AGREEING WITH THESE FUSERS, EVER!!!
Just clean and tighten your fuse holder and re-new your fuse (if old) with a good quality 50cent Bussman, Littlefuse or similar.
As with "many switch-on surges" they do deteriorate, bend, stretch and get crusty with electrolysis formations on their fusible wire elements before they give out, as these pics show of a fuse wire element ageing over time show. https://ibb.co/9NbTwqK
(even the $$$ boutique ones will age just as much also)



millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The Blue in my Blackhawk is awesome. The very best components improve detail and dynamics while also somehow managing to be more liquid smooth. The Blue does this better than any component or tweak I have ever heard. It was good right out of the box, and now is so good it is like its not even there. By which I mean zero artifacts or evidence it is doing anything. Everything just sounds so much more real and "there". Thinking of using their 90 day option to upgrade to Violet, and maybe Yellow in the Herron. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


Einstein says your
https://youtu.be/YTY26k0CA0I?t=4
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,882 posts
 
This is georgie before he uses the translator to post here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI8S_gEG2Qo

And by the way, Einstein always spoke proper English.
He would never use your for you're.
 

All the best,
Nonoise
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