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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
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
Geoff if you know just be nice and share and stop teasing the audiophiles.
macdude
96 posts
 
Both Red and Black fuses in my DAC blew last night.

Will have to try going up a value.
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mapman
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A fuse is perhaps the least complicated part in electronics.   Except for wires maybe, at least the normal kind.

Fuses conduct electricity normally and blow out at certain designed current levels .  Thats pretty much it.   No two things ever perform exactly alike.   If two fuses perform differently under normal operation, most likely there is a measurable difference in conductivity based on the design and construction.   Or just a better seating and contact with its holder can make a big difference here as mentioned.   

Regarding what makes a fuse directional, I have no clue.  So I would not worry about it at all in the grand scale of things until there is a reason.  Especially with AC current.   There could be differences that can only be determined by trial and error case by case.   If it matters to someone, then by all means have at it.

aolmrd1241
759 posts
 
"Anyone wish to take a stab at other things aftermarket fuses do better than stock fuses? Thimk, thimk!"

I’m thimking, I’m thimking...Umm!!! Drain your wallet... Just had to say it...8^)



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mapman
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macdad, every device is designed to use a particular value fuse in terms of how much current will pass before blowing out.

The risk with audiophiles is forgetting what the primary purpose of a fuse is: to protect the equipment from accidental damage. Its a safety device first, an audiophile tweak second. I’m not sure how much attention teh companies selling fuses based on how they sound pay attention to making sure they work properly to-spec, which is the first most important thing.

If a device requires a certain rating fuse and it blows consistently, then either there is a problem with the device or the fuse. You want to change to a different fuse of the correct rating. Going to a higher rated fuse that passes more current is the wrong thing to do. It could result in damage to your expensive gear. All for a freaking hifi fuse!!!!!
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