New SR Orange fuse ...

jafreeman ...

Ted does a nice job of explaining things on his website:

https://www.synergisticresearch.com/fuses/orange-fuse/

His description of the improvements attained is exactly what I'm experiencing. 

The break-in time seems to be about that of the Blue fuses. They really come into their own at about 20 hours. Quite unlike the Black fuses that seemed to take forever. 

Frank

^^^ Interesting, jaybe ... 

I've gone through complete sets of SR Reds, Blacks, Blues and now the Orange fuses. I've always used the values recommended in the ARC owner's manuals. That's at least six years of having them in the system. So far, no failures. 

Frank

• "How much better is O than B and to what degree?"

Significantly better. Did you happen to go from an SR Black fuse to the Blue fuse?   If so, the improvement is better than that.

Frank

^^^

Once they are broken in, you guys are going to love these new fuses. I know I keep using the same terminology in my descriptions here, but please bear with me ... I barely made it through high school. :-)

The Orange fuse is like putting the Blue fuse on steroids. After replacing the four Blue fuses with the Orange fuses the system has taken on a very enjoyable and lovely organic density to the overall sound. At this point, I just shake my head in disbelief. Super transparent with no HiFi effects at all. Just another big step toward realism.

With all of the tweaks and changes that have been made over the past couple of years, the superiority of this new fuse from SR can readily be heard and enjoyed. Here’s another cliche’ ... except it is for real ... it is like having a brand new record collection. No bull.

During the last listening session two nights ago, I put on a CD of the Newport Folk Festival. It’s a compilation of various folk singers. When Joan Baez took the stage, it was like she was actually TAKING the stage. The audience was right there. I was in the middle of it. Baez’s voice was the best example of her work sound-wise that I’ve heard yet. That’s saying a lot, because this is a standard, run-of-the-mill red-book CD. Of course, these recordings are transfers from the Vanguard tapes ... and for you guys who know your recordings, you already know how good the old Vanguard’s can be. On classical music, the Vanguard strings can’t be beat.

Release date for the Orange fuses is supposed to be in about a week.

Here’s the Newport Folk Festival CD:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VARIOUS-ARTISTS-THE-NEWPORT-FOLK-FESTIVAL-1963-THE-EVENING-CONCERTS-VOL-1/292188938548?epid=3120350&hash=item4407d16134:g:feQAAOSwMQ1b4zkV

Happy listening ...

Frank

^^^ I'll pass the word along.

Ozzy ...

You really should jump on these Orange fuses. Once broken in they are miles ahead of the SR fuses that came before them ... even the Blues. 

Frank

yoby sez ...

• Hi Frank: Do you treat your fuses (whatever brand ) with the Perfect Path paste?

Thanks for the question.

Yes, all of my Blue fuses were treated resulting in the expected improvement. I did not treat the new Orange fuses because I wanted to hear exactly what the fuses do and report my findings accurately. I will treat them at a later date though because I suspect that it will be another step up in SQ.

Frank

^^^ ... Yes, you have to buy the Reds, the Blacks and the Blues. This allows you to pass Go, and only then are you eligible to buy the Orange fuses. :-)

I suspect that the masking tape reduces micro-vibrations in the fuse. 

Frank 

As the SR Orange fuses have been breaking in, I’ve been taking notes. Here’s some of my observations:

Compared to the SR Blue fuses ... 

1. A further relaxation in the presentation. Less HiFi and more realism.

2. Clarity - less grain. I thought I had this one whipped, but who knew?

3. Expanded soundstage. Instruments and performers are more well placed within the stage.

4. More articulation in vocals. More organically human. The great song stylists have me hanging on every word, and really getting into the lyrics.

5. Improved dynamics. Drums of every stripe have more impact and realism.

6. More body to everything. More meat on the bones.

7. Improved tonal accuracy. Violins, cellos, guitars, and pianos get five stars for sure.

8. The volume level can be set lower while getting the same loudness level as before making the switch from the SR Blue fuses to the SR Orange fuses.

9. There is an added warmth in the mid-bass that is very attractive and involving. Not overly done ... but just right. Everything is system dependent of course, and in my system, using ARC gear, this little bit of added warmth is a real improvement.

Highly recommended.

Frank