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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
barbapapa
192 posts
 
Fuse amps are SR Black  6x32 mm 10A.  AM Beeswax 1,6 A for the Pre, that will be replaced soon by the new AM Beeswax SHD ordered with another SHD to come for the TT's PSU
SR Black in the DAC.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
Sunfire OEM AC Line Fuse is 10 amp / 32 V fast blow. I replaced with SR 10 amp, 250 V fast blow.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
Lowrider, is the amp a Sunfire 300, as I was recalling? And does it say "MDA-10" for the mains fuse on the rear panel? Also, of course, a mains fuse would not be rated at 32 volts.

Best regards,
-- Al
 
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
Also, of course, a mains fuse would not be rated at 32 volts.
P.S: Unless perhaps a previous owner replaced the original fuse with a 32 volt automotive fuse, which might also explain why the fuse that was in there was a fast blow, rather than a slow blow which is what I’m pretty certain an MDA-10 is.

And if a previous owner had indeed replaced an MDA-10 250 volt slow blow fuse with a 32 volt automotive fast blow fuse, I would certainly not find it surprising that changing to a more properly rated fuse would make a transformative difference. And perhaps changing from the SR fast blow you went with to a slow blow would reduce the sonic downsides that you indicated resulted from the change.  As well as minimizing the risk that this expensive fuse will blow prematurely.

Best regards,
-- Al


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
Yes, Al, it's the Sunfire 300. On the back the Mains fuse says...
Line AC 12VAC, 50/60 Hz. The manual says 10 amp fast blow fuse.
It's quite possible the previous owner or a repair shop installed a 32 volt fuse.

I no longer use the Current Output since I bought Gallo floorstanders which only have one pair of inputs. (The Current fuse is a 5 amp Slow-blo MDL/Q). You have a great memory, as I did previously use a double-run to the speaker's upper and lower drivers.

I now use the Voltage Out since this is the standard output. As you know, the Current Output is for electrostats and tweeters. Due to the higher output resistance, there is less "body" or "slam" to the sound when used as a main output.

My impression is that the Gallo tweeters may be too revealing when using this fuse. It's the same result as when I tried the SR Black PC.
(I have even checked for correct speaker phase and polarity).
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