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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
fliz
63 posts
 
I'm dumbfounded.

I don't understand how this little thing can make such a difference.
t_ramey
366 posts
 
I've had both the AH fuse and Red fuse in the same Preamp and definitely preferred the Red. To me with the AH fuse in the imaging and stage sounded bloated and almost smeared. Whereas the Red lit everything up with great detail without being bright or harsh. The big difference comes when after having the Red in for a month or two then take it out and put the stock in, you can't put the Red back in fast enough.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
I've decided to buy the SR Red fuse. I need 4 fuses (2 mono blocks, Line Stage and DAC). For the cost different between the AH and the SR (27.00 USD X 4 =108.00), I'll use that savings and purchase an Avatar Acoustics After burner AC wall outlet. (which is reputed to be excellent and only 75.00, less than the individual fuses!). I believe both the SR Red and AH fuses  are terrific and worthwhile. I like the bang for the buck package of four SR Red and the AC outlet(wall to my BPT balanced transformer to which all components are plugged into)..
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hi Fliz,
I can attest that the premium fuses do make a difference in my system You can remain doubtful or try some in your system and listen and decide. I no longer try to convince people (waste of time endeavor) about the merits of audio products. Each individual has to listen themselves and form their own impression.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
2,850 posts
 
With the SR RED Fuses in the Amp (ARC REF-75se) and in the Preamp (ARC REF-3) now fully broken in, the improvement is astounding.

A third SR RED Fuse will be arriving today, to be put into the phono stage (ARC PH-8). I'm doing this incrementally in order to gauge the improvement in each piece and how that improvement affects the overall sound of the system (not to mention that I love new audio "fixes.") 

So far, with just the two fuses, the system has evolved well beyond my expectations. I cannot believe what I'm hearing from the system. 

In previous posts having to do with the Newport Show ... and the best sound from that show, I referred to the Optimal Enchantment room three years ago, specifically about the three dimensionality of that soundstage and how believable it was. Well, the fuse upgrade hasn't gotten me to that point yet, but I'm getting a nice taste of it. I suspect when I install the new fuse in the phono stage today the system will be bought even closer to the edge of that great ARC/Vandersteen system in Randy Cooley's room three years ago.  

I continue to shake my head in amazement at how much information is hidden in those record grooves and digital bits. Stay tuned ... I'll report on the third fuse after listening today.

Happy listening, guyz ... 
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