2. amps-preamps
  3. 1448317474

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
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
2,850 posts
 
^^^ 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
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
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.
a25105
129 posts
 
Glad to hear you are doing better buddy.
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,105 posts
 
+1. Hang in there Frank. Better days ahead.

Dave
tommylion
563 posts
 
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.
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