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
marqmike
676 posts
 
I like my reds and one black. Really glad I got them. I have no big desire to change. Music is scintillating as of now. Not going to worry about a tiny bit better.  If I get a different component I will put a blue in it. These fuses are such a good value for performance to me. However if someone had the right used one for sale I might get it and would have fun trying it out.
jay23
145 posts
 
In the meantime things are sounding incredible at my place. Someone mentioned the good results could be because of a reduction in high frequencies. Nope. The highs are more extended than ever .... as is the bass extension. Seamless.

Frank

That would kind of be me. The highs can still be extended in frequency, yet still be reduced in low levels.


To those talking about bypassing the fuses, or avoiding them...yes, there can be benefits in transparency and dynamics. Bypassing is obviously a risk. I only do so in a power conditioner that did not need a fuse. The one advantage to these audiophile fuses is that they use noise and vibration reducing materials, that you may not be able to (or some cases not want to) replicate when bypassing a fuse, or using a circuit breaker.
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa OP
2,850 posts
 
Years back I used an ARC CLASSIC 60 in the system. Very nice amp by the way. For about a year I used a copper plug in place of the fuse. It made me too nervous so I eventually pulled it out and put the stock fuses back in. It just wasn't worth the risk. 

Frank
Post removed 
a25105
129 posts
 
Hi Frank,

how much better is the blue fuse vs. the black?  10%?  20?  I look forward  to hear your honest opinion.  Thx. 

Allan
More to discover