I pasted the end caps of my yellow fuse with PPT Total Contact this afternoon.
I played my reference recordings for a couple of hours after doing the pasting. I’m hearing micro details in recordings I’ve played hundreds of times over the years like never before. The low-level articulation in the female voice is stunning.
As TC users know, it takes time, even weeks to sound its best. I’m going to order another Yellow fuse ... this time for the ARC REF-75se.
Frank
PS: Mucho Kudos to the lovely lady in the Northeast. :=)) |
The above post that was removed was posted by Georgie. Maybe he's catching on that he's overstayed his welcome. We can only hope.
Frank |
One of the dominant personality traits of engineers is their fear of criticism. As long as we continue telling Georgie that he's wrong, he will continue coming back in an effort to prove that he's right.
Georgie ... You're right. These fuses are no better than stock fuses. In spite of what our lying ears have been telling us, there is no benefit to them at all. They are nothing but a ruse. Now go away and play with the Emus and the Roos.
Frank
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The Yellow fuse is phenomenal. The improved bass extension on its own is worth the price of the fuse.
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docknow >>>
- what did you think of the midrange now, as compared to the SR Orange?
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around just how good this fuse is. As it has continued breaking in, the midrange is coming into its own very nicely. There is a concrete realism that was not there before. The human voice is amazing. While the SR Orange fuse was the benchmark in all of the fuses I've tried over the years, the QSA Yellow fuse has it beat hands down. No contest. How one little fuse can make such a significant improvement is way beyond me. When paying $213 for a fuse, which to most, seems like a ridiculous sum, one has to measure the cost by the results. I've used ICs and PCs costing ten times as much that haven't given the results this little yellow bugger is giving. At this point, I'm thinking that other fuse manufacturers will have to go back to the drawing board in order to stay competitive. That's honest to God's truth. In fact, I'm ordering another one that will go into the ARC-REF 75se. Frank |
In the meantime, there are glorious sounds emanating from my audio system thanks to aftermarket fuses and other tweaks. Tonight's session was a wall-to-wall Cinerama of performing artists dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments to their heart's content.
Frank |
thecarpathian <<< I used the manufacturer's suggested value ratings on both the SR Orange and the QSA fuse. Frank |
If you can't hear the difference between a stock fuse and an SR Orange fuse, I'd suggest seeking out a different hobby.
Frank |
This has gone on long enough. Being a devout believer in free speech, I’ve never reported another poster to the moderators no matter how offensive the personal attacks. Georgehifi has become a true pain in the butt by hijacking every thread he enters into with his inane insults. From now on, I will report every one of his offensive, stupid threads to management until he either stops or is banned from the site. I hope others will do the same.
Frank |
cerberus79 ... I think I was the one who said you may be in the wrong hobby. I meant it as a joke. In retrospect, I see how it could have been taken as insulting. I apologize for that. My intent here has always been to find ways to improve my system through the experiences of others and to help others to improve their systems through my experiences as well. Take care ... Frank |
I’m starting to notice an unnerving artificial recess in the midrange on closely miked instruments and voices using the new QSA Yellow fuse, compared to the SR Orange fuse. Anyone else noticing the same?
Frank |
millercarbon ... I had a friend over this morning for a listening session. We did an a/b/a/b comparison between the two fuses. There are richer midrange tones with the SR fuse compared with the Yellow fuse. I like the expanded sound stage, improved bass, and extended highs with the Yellow fuse, but it is definitely lacking in midrange tonality compared with the SR fuse. It may be a break-in issue, and I will continue working with it. I have another Yellow fuse coming at the end of the month that will go into the amp. Stay tuned. Frank |
jafant ...
Yes, all of that and more clarity too.
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^^^ As of last night, I'm preferring the SA Orange fuse in the line stage. I'm going to move the Yellow QSA fuse over to the phono stage where it will replace the existing SR Orange fuse. We'll see what happens there. I'll report back on the results.
Frank |
SR Level III power cords here. Prior to the SR cords, I was using cords built by David Magan. The SR's were a substantial upgrade.
Frank |
I replaced the SR Orange fuse and installed the QSA Yellow fuse in the phono stage for the last listening session. This is the same QSA Yellow fuse that I was using in the line stage. Still some trade-offs. I’m beginning to think that the QSA yellow fuses take a long time to fully break in.
Another QSA yellow fuse has been shipped. It will go into the amp, replacing the SR Orange fuse currently in use there. At this point, I’m thinking there’s more detail and perceived clarity from the yellow fuse, but more midrange magic from the SR Orange fuses. Overall, from a musical standpoint, I’m preferring the SR Orange fuse. I’m going to keep a/b/a/b testing. Stay tuned.
As a side note, I’ve a/b/a tested for two of my audiophile friends. One is of the opinion that the QSA fuse really messes up the midrange. The other friend is like me ... he hears the advantages of both fuses.
Frank |
georgehifi >>> Be assured that I have only one membership. Also, be assured that I will be reporting every one of your offensive posts. Personally, I'm sick of you insulting the members on this site with your nonsense.
I'm sure others are following suit.
As long as you present positive inputs, all will be just fine. Frank |
MC ... Looking forward to your impressions of the stones.
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So, two nights ago, I moved the Yellow fuse from the line stage and put it into the phono stage. It seems to be a better match there in my system.
In playing my go-to demo LPs, I’m hearing more inner detail than before. I was concentrating on female vocals and noticed that the ending of words was a lot clearer, enhancing the organic sound of the human voice. The leading edge of guitars, the fading off of notes, and the three-dimensionality of the presentation were enhanced, along with a quieter background. So far, a winner.
The midrange still had that artifact that I didn’t like in the line stage, but not to such a degree. I think what this fuse is doing, is moving the midrange more to a solid-state-like presentation. Don’t get me wrong here, this fuse is really good, but my electronics are already fairly neutral, and I like a touch of tube warmth, so I think it is a matter of taste.
Comparing the QSA Yellow fuse with the SR Orange fuse is a tradeoff. For transparency, lower noise floor, and inner detail, I’d take the QSA Yellow. For midrange warmth and emotional impact, the SR Orange comes out ahead.
A few things to keep in mind here are, first, it is a matter of taste. Second, it is system-dependent. Third, I believe the QSA Yellow fuse still needs more break-in time. At this point, I think it is fair to say that neither fuse will disappoint.
Another QSA Yellow fuse will be arriving any day now. It will go into the amp. Stay tuned.
Frank |
senza ... Thanks for the input. I'm continuing to work with it.
tslushima1 ... Anything positive to add to the discussion? Anything??
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^^^ ... Carp, don't bother.
Pity the man. What we are observing here is the manifestation of psychosis due to living in what is now a police state.
Frank |
senza ... The new thread is up and running. Frank |
ozzy ... That's when the war of the breaker switches will begin. :-) Frank |
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ozzy ... - "First listen, definitely a sharper image than the yellow."
That was my first impression when I replaced the SR Orange fuses with the QSA Yellow fuses. There definitely was more detail because of a perceived improvement in transparency. However, eventually, I went back to the SR Orange fuses in order to enjoy the music. I’m looking forward to your assessment of the red fuse as it breaks in, Ozzy. There are a couple of A’goners getting ready to receive the QSA Violet fuses, and I’m looking forward to their assessments as well. I’m very curious at this point how far up the QSA fuse line one would have to go in order to outperform the prototype fuses (price to be determined) I’m using now. The QSA Yellows certainly don’t do it at $213. Maybe the QSA Violet fuse at $711 might be the ticket. Or ... maybe the QSA Red fuse at $1422 will do the trick. We’ll see down the road. At any rate, the improvements made by these aftermarket fuses boggles the mind, as do the prices. :-) Frank |
benzman ... Which fuse allows you to get more involved with the music? |
benzman ... I had the SR Orange fuses throughout the system. I went with the QSA Yellow fuses. My experience was the same as you had with the LIght Blue fuses. I went back to the SR Orange fuses and all was okay again. Maybe not as detailed, but more musically satisfying. Frank |
willgolf ... - "For the people with experience with the SR orange, is there a direction that you would start with or know that it works?"
With SR fuses it seem to be hit and miss on directionality. Do you have a friend that can help you? Frank |
It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood, except for the deletion of posts for no apparent reason. Thin skin, anyone?
Frank |
Ozzy ...
I don't get it. Why was my prototype thread completely deleted? I've asked for an explanation, and have gotten nothing but silence. And the post that was deleted here, was exactly like the one above to willgolf. Go figure.
Mods ... if you're reading this, how about putting the prototype fuse thread back up? Thanks ...
Frank |
leicachamp ... Okay, your point is taken. I'll open a new thread once the SR Purple fuse is released and others can share their thoughts as they receive them, and try them out in their own systems. Sorry if my enthusiasm for a new product was found to be offensive. Frank |
leicachamp ... I have no problems with what was said. You made some valid points. I appreciate tyray’s positive comments as well. When the SR Purple fuses are released, I’ll start a new thread. They are way too good not to share information about them with other hobbyists. In the meantime, enjoy the music. Frank |
@glory
"Sound application outlet."
I'm using the Sound Application Power Conditioner. Did you just change out one outlet?
By the way, I pasted the entire inside of the unit with Total Contact. It took an entire tube to do the job. Super improvement in SQ.
Frank
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