I’m getting a bad feeling. Can it be that pro audio will never be able to reconcile with high end audio? Or is just that some folks are following the wrong sheep?
🐑 🚶
🐑 🚶
Synergistic Red Fuse ...
Adjusting fuses for directionality, although very likely a complete waste of time since fuses are a part of an alternating electricity flow (AC), could reveal a .000137% difference in something or other that you're not going to be able to notice unless you fool yourself into thinking you do…it's a fuse…a tiny, output irrelevant wire not actually in the signal path, and designed to melt. Don't be fooled by the unexplainable mythology of snake oil purveyors unless hey, you enjoy faith based tweaking…in which case, geoffkait is your man! (and, he claims to not use fuses except in the metaphorical sense of his "having a short fuse" as illustrated in his re-posting everything he sees fit to comment on). |
Whoa....fuses... This is a new one on me. The fuse in my Pass F5 came from a little box with 5 others for about $2.50 at AutoZone. The fuse sits right above the power cord I snagged at Good Will for one American dollar, with a return policy if I didn't like how it worked, which the clerk made sure I was aware of. I can't spend much on fuses because the amp tends to blow them if I'm not carefully about flipping it off and on. |
Hi Dave, The part that I linked to has a 75 ohm resistor built into it. And since it is intended for use in video applications (I have used it for that kind of purpose) I would expect the resistor that has been chosen to be suitable for use in terminating the RF frequencies that are present in digital audio signals. Best regards, -- Al |
Hi Al, Would one need to solder a 75 ohm resistor between the live and neutral on this BNC connector to produce a shunt? Or simply plug one of the shunt connectors tommylion refers to into this BNC plug? Looks to me like those shunt caps above could be replicated using an inexpensive RCA connector and a 75 ohm resistor... Dave |
a25105, Good question. The description says they work for inputs as well as outputs. The unused input on my DAC is BNC, so I’m unable to try it there. They also have RCA shorting plugs for unused analog inputs on a preamp or integrated. I have had similar "caps" on my passive pre for some time. Maybe I will take them off to hear again what difference they make. |
Tommylion, thanks. That's definitely a tweak that makes sense from a technical standpoint, IMO. The degree to which it may help will of course vary depending on the design of the specific component. Also, in cases where unused digital outputs on BNC connectors are involved, something like this should do the trick: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/167156-REG/Comprehensive_B_TM_B_TM_BNC_Terminator.html Regarding unused S/PDIF or AES/EBU digital inputs, those presumably already have a termination, internally within the component. Regards, -- Al |
Found an inexpensive digital tweak that made a nice difference in my system: https://highend-electronics.com/products/highend-electronics-digital-terminator-75-ohm If you have an unused S/PDIF output on your CD Player, Transport, or other digital device, it may be mucking up the sound. I use the AES/EBU output on my CEC TL-5 Transport. Plugging the digital terminator into the S/PDIF resulted in smoother, more relaxed and transparent sound. I'm sure it would be easy for someone more DIY oriented to make one for themselves. For me, it was well worth the modest price, especially with free shipping. |
Recently viewed a Youtube thing about a Japanese audio maniac who erected his own "telephone pole" for isolated electricity to keep his neighbors pesky distortions out of his gear heap. Seems to work, and fits with my idea of buying a salvaged nuclear power generator from a retired submarine to put in my backyard…just don't tell the neighbors, or bribe them for their silence with free juice. |
^^^ Allan ... Thank you for asking. Its been a rough row to hoe. I've finally turned the corner on the loss of appetite. Gained seven pounds over the past week. I look into the mirror and see a death camp survivor looking back at me. 130 lbs on a six foot frame. Not good. Its truly been a battle between the body and the mind. Thanks to many skilled specialists I feel as though I've finally turned the corner and entering back into the land of the living. In the meantime, two components of my system are at the tech. The CD player and the line stage. What an obsession this hobby is. Without the system in operation its like missing two ribs. Before the laser pickup went out in the CD player and the line stage developed noise the system was WAY beyond what I ever thought attainable in a home system. Its something that really must be heard. It doesn't play huge like a big Wilson system, but more like a Harbeth 40.2 system with better bass. Tonal correctness is the end- all as far as I'm concerned ...and those of you who are enjoying your Harbeth 40.2's know exactly what I mean. Frank |
Back on 6-30-17 I posted info re: this site: http://stores.ebay.com/Liberty-Electronics-Store/ I don’t recommend these people. They are selling cheap Chinese knock offs. The part I ordered was dead out of the box. Beware. Frank |
^^^ Thank you tommylion ... Since starting this thread, my system has improved by leaps and bounds. And to think, it all started with taking a chance on just one of SR's RED Fuses. I'm indebted to the guys at SR Their tweaks truly work and are transformative. This has led me into other area of tweaks, many of which, came at the suggestion of members here. I'm indebted to those members as well. On the "mystery tweak," It looks like the reveal date may be sometime toward the end of August. At least that's the latest info I have from the genius, who now has become a personal friend, that came up with the idea. I hope so anyway ... its just too good not to share it with all of you. As I said before, it addresses a major problem that has gone unaddressed before. It brings audio systems into the realm of true realism. I think even the mid-fi guys will benefit. Those with high resolution systems will be completely bowled over. Nuff for now ... Frank |
Just wanted to thank oregonpapa for starting this this thread, and many others for participating and contributing. It has pointed me to many ways to improve my system, and increased my enjoyment of it greatly. I am truly amazed at how far it has come in a relatively short time, and this thread has played a significant part in that. Really looking forward to hearing about the "mystery tweak" that oregonpapa is currently testing. |
As fate would have it the arrows on HiFi fuses don’t indicate direction the fuse should go. In fact HiFi Tuning advises customers to try each fuse both ways to determine direction. It is an old wives’ tale that the arrow points in the direction of the signal flow or electricity flow. It’s also an old wives’ tale that the fuse should go in the opposite direction from the direction of writing on the fuse. The little diode logo or arrow is simply a way to help you remember which way the fuse went just before you flip it. This feature is especially useful if you accidentally drop the fuse with clumsy fingers whilst flipping it or forget which way you had it. This means HiFi Tuning doesn’t "pre-set" each fuse for direction. But HiFi Tuning IS AWARE fuses are directional, we know that for sure. All fuses. Even fuses in AC circuits. So the probability is 50% that a given fuse was inserted in the correct direction. Therefore the only way to procee when one has multiple fuses is to flip each fuse one at a time rather than all at once. Happy 4th! Will there be fireworks here? 😀 |
I thought I'd never post this but after almost two years after installing HiFi Silver Tuning fuses in my amp and SACD player, I thought I'd try out reversing the fuses in my SACD player. I was never in the camp of "correct orientation" of fuses but knew that simply using a better made fuse could improve the sound. Replacing them gave me a leg up on what was possible but I never could get the results I wanted. The highs were a bit subdued. Still I resisted changing the direction of the fuses. Fast forward to the present: I've been on the lookout for a new pair of speakers that could satisfy my yearnings for what I'd heard with my ribbon super tweeter on my old Tonian Labs speakers. Eagerly I waited for the chance to hear the Elac Adante monitors and they almost had me. Reading up on the Tekton line of speakers got me interested in their monitors which used the patented design of the Double Impacts. It was after consulting Elliot Midwood of Acoustic Image and picking his brain that I came to the conclusion that it had to be my amp or SACD player since he felt that the Marantz had to be complicit in all of this as he's heard the very same drivers sound better, so it had to be in the application. He's been at my place and heard them and likes them very much but the highs were always a tad recessed. Thinking it through, I drew down on the only possibility and finally took out and opened up the SACD player. Unlike the integrated, which had a fuse only in line with the AC, the SACD player had four fuses. Looking at the circuit board, I seemed that at least one of them was in the signal path: maybe two. I knew that there were dedicated power traces to the different DACs and clock. but having all four serving some kind of AC distribution didn't make any sense. I had originally oriented all of them to face the same way, using the logo as orientation. What I did was to flip the fuses the other way and give it a listen. Case closed. I'm not interested in getting a new pair of speakers anymore. The highs are back, in spades. The soundstage is now permanently wider than my speakers. The center stage is now up, where it used to sag. The upper mid bass emphasis is reduced and tighter. I no longer use the treble boost as it adds too much. Flat is where it's at. Over two days I've spent about 12 hours listening to familiar recordings and all I can do is shake my leg and head in disbelief to the music. I could care less to those naysayers who've yet to hear it for themselves. I care not to respond to them as well so go ahead and troll all you want. I am content. Now I can splurge on that new LG OLED on Black Friday for the same money as a new set of speakers. God, I love this hobby. All the best, Nonoise |
Hi, Guys ... After many years of enjoyment, and tons of hours on the unit, the optical pickup lens in my ARC CD-7 -SE is finally giving up the ghost. I found a brand new replacement part here: http://stores.ebay.com/Liberty-Electronics-Store/ A fair price at $29.00 including shipping. With the advent of digital downloads, and red book CD's falling out of favor, if you have a CD player that fills your musical needs, it may be prudent to buy a new lens now and just keep it for that inevitable day. Frank |
Frank, Sorry to hear that you have to go through hell on your recovery:( Really hope you can get well soon. Take care and eat well. You should try something like this even though you don't feel like eating. http://www.expressmed.com/product/nutritional-drinks/73959-53344/abbott-nutrition-ensure-original-25... Allan |
Allen ... No price has been determined at this point, but it will be relatively inexpensive, especially considering the results attained. There is nothing else like it. As I said, it addresses a previously unthought of detriment to sound reproduction. And no, I haven't tried the iQSE's in the system. I've been concentrating on recovering from complications surrounding the recent heart surgery. I've been to Hell and back due to a complete shut-down of the urinary system and then a total lack of any desire for food. 6 feet tall tipping the scale at a whopping 130 pounds. Not good. I look like a kid's stick person. As soon as I feel better I'll order a couple of the iQSE's. I'm especially interested to see what effect they have by putting them inside the fuse box. Frank |
tommylion Yes the older version, maybe the new one is different, sticky tape, and a fourth letter to the name IMO that's the upgrade. The reason I say that is the active ingredient is carbon 13, and from what I have read from others experimenting with it is the right amount is critical. The older version works well in gear as well. Regardless its a great product, I am sure anyone who tries one will end up with at least a few more. Happy your enjoying it! |
perfectpathtech, I gather you are talking about the original Quantum Signal Enhancer, which is intended for external use in one’s system? The iQSE came out pretty recently, and is intended for use inside components. It has double-sided tape on one side to fix it to an internal service. I was planning on putting it inside my DAC, but found it worked great placed on top of my Tara Labs Powerscreen power strip. Apparently, the iQSE has a greater effect than the the QSE: http://tweekgeek.blogspot.com/2017/03/new-tweak-alert-bybee-internal-quantum.html I don’t know for sure, as I haven’t compared them. All I know is that I love what the iQSE does. |
tommilion I tried one when they first came out, I think it was 3 years ago, with in a couple of months, I went to 15 of them. There is a old thread about these which I found helpful. Consensus was the best placement was across terminals in the back of gear. I found that to be the case as well. I also have the room neutralizers as well, and they are a even bigger effect. |
Hi, guys. I'm one who doesn't care how something works, only that it does. With that said, earlier on in this thread I mentioned that I'm a "tester" for a product that in my opinion will be a real game changer in the Audio industry. I can't say much at this point other than we can forget all of the usual catch words like clarity, focus, tonal balance and replace them all with one word .... REAL. It addresses a previously unthought of detriment to sound reproduction. That's about all I can say at this point, other than when you hear what it does you're going to have to have it. Even the naysayers will be left in awe. No joke.. Frank |
I've never tried or heard any of these fuses. The analytical part of my brain questions why they would work, and is attracted by those who would say it's all expectation bias, voodoo, etc. However, I also recognize that there are plenty of things in this world I can't explain and that even small changes in the signal effect sound. For instance I wouldn't have thought a preamp bypass switch on the ATLP120 turntable would color the sound. However this video shows that the small change to the signal path from the preamp bypass (if I remember correctly it went through an extra capacitor for some strange reason) changed the waveform and the high frequency outputs. When he took out the preamp section the waveform is visibly different, and the sound changes perceptibly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NT67ii04uQ I wish someone with the equipment would do this for these fuses on a pre-amp to see if it does change the waveform. Since this occurs before the speaker path it seems like this would be easy to measure. That would be convincing. For now I have plenty of other items that I think would make a bigger difference to my sound (room, etc.) to even consider a fuse. |
I continue to be amazed at what the Bybee iQSE has brought to my system. There is such a "rightness" to voices and instruments, that pulls me into the music. Subtle vocal inflections and other musical details are easily heard, without strain. Micro and macro dynamics are also nicely improved. Like the black fuses, it does it's thing without altering tonal balance; which I really appreciate. I hope to get a couple more soon. Has anyone else had the opportunity to try one (or more) in their system? |
shadorne @geoffkait Why a supermassive black hole in the centre of our galaxy? Because the supreme creator speaks to us through music! We may be made in the creators image but the galaxy is made in the image of a giant turntable with a black hole at the center and Earth being in the grooviest place. >>>>>Whoa! What!! Steve Jobs speaks to us through music on the iPad? Get outta here! |
a25105 Geoffkait, You have the right to do what you want in life and I respect that. Please update us here if you ever find the answer. For me, I will continue to enjoy my music that brings me joy and happiness. Life is just too short. Allan That's mighty decent of you, Allan. Enjoy the music. Sorry for the interruption. |