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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
knghifi
1,667 posts
 
Most amp manufacturers don't believe in after market fuse, and in lesser extend -power cords. I have had several well known brands (ARC, Krell, CJ to name a few) and they all HAVE to say that it does not matter from a corporate point of view.
Actually Kal at ARC concedes after market fuses are superior quality but timing is different so MIGHT not fully protect the component when it blows.

From my experience only ARC doesn't recommend after market fuses.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
2,850 posts
 
This was the end of the first listening session with the SR RED fuses all the way down the chain ... phono, preamp and amp. The addition of the third fuse to the phono stage today was a nice improvement in the beginning. After a few hours of burn-in, the rear of the stage opened up like never before. Wow! Everything sounds so pristine. Way more inner detail. Records that I know by heart are a new experience. The experience I'm having tells me that the fuses really come into their own after about 10 to 20 hours. So ... tomorrow should be a banner day for playing records at my house. Best bank for the buck ever. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Fliz,
Yes I did misinterpret your comment, my aplogies.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Oregonpapa,
Your reported results are very impressive! I hope the level of my improvement with the SR Reds  comes close to what you have described. Those fuses cost a fraction of your  components yet look (listen) at their positive effect, very encouraging.
Charles. 
t_ramey
366 posts
 
These SR Reds are pretty amazing at what they can do. I have two monoblock amps that have not only a fuse at the inlet but 4 on the board inside. I had changed two at a time over the course of a couple months but when I placed the last two Red fuses in each amp everything really opened up and took the performance to another level. It was rather shocking. 

I've changed nothing but cabling and fuses in my system over the past year and certain songs that used to sound shrill and harsh are now naturally detailed and enjoyable to listen to. Same speakers, amps, pre, dac, and source but just different cabling and fuses did this.
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