Synergistic Red Fuse ...

OregonPapa, I almost feel obligated, as I'm so stoked, to say thanks for starting this thread as well as everyone else who have shared their enthusiasm. I would have never considered spending so much on a fuse if it weren't for your guys willingness to call it like you hear it. As illogical as the prospects for improvement seemed with the return policy there was no reason not to try it for myself. Bottom line, I've spent far more for far far less. I went from a RadioShack to the Black. Back to the music. No need to think about that phono stage upgrade anymore for anyone that might recall my semi-recent thread. 

I hope no one has asked this question already so all apologies, but has anyone tried using an sr fuse in their power conditioner?  I have a black in my preamp that was a worthy investment.  Id try some in my mono's but that is a pricier layout and since everything runs from the conditioner it makes sense that this could effect the sound as well. Have a great day.

Awhile back I asked if anyone had put an SR fuse in their conditioner OregonPapa responded,

Fourwnds ...

So far, no one has reported trying an SR fuse in their power conditioner. Why not be the first, then report the results here? I'd certainly be interested in the results.

I recently took advantage of the sale on the SR20 fuses and put one in the conditioner and one in each mono block replacing standard glass fuses.  It was a little over 100 bucks with shipping. So less than the price of one Black. I figured it was a good way to go and establish a baseline. It was. Except I didnt have the patience to put fuses in a step at a time evaluating the incremental changes. I just went for it, time is precious. Anyway, down to the nitty gritty, or more aptly to the lack thereof. The bass is so clean and full now is the biggest improvement. Before it could be on the ripe side. Now it's so distinct I can follow it with no extra attention. Overall it's a similar across the board improvement but to a lesser degre, with faster cleaner notes, keys sound purer and cymbal shimmer has more texture, there are more little noticible details bringing you in but with no etch. In fact this has been tamed on a few hot recordings where a violin could be shrill or a horn could have a little to much bite.  Spatial layering is better to.
Interestingly, I knew I wasn't sending these puppies back and it was gonna be awesome from the second the needle dropped as the gentlemen introduced the band it was as if it was a live direct patch from his mouth to my ears. I could hear his lips and I could tell they were wet like he licked them or he just took a sip from a drink.  
But, this little artifact aside it's like these fuses take what you have and make it better, changing the overall gestalt positively. It's not an additive thing like putting a little salt on something but more like the ol cliche of a cleaner window. Also, It is Not an improvement that is something of a compromise either where I lost something to get something else. 

I can't imagine the difference the Blacks would make. From what understand the highs are what get an improvement. 

Cheers all

Got ya. I'm not sure what to make of it. All I can say is it went away after. 

I haven't followed this thread too closely so I'm unaware of any consensus regarding position of fuses other than my own experiences regarding such. I found reverse, meaning lettering and wording, numbering to be backwords when I put in my SR Black into my Quicksilver full function preamp. A recent experience regarding the SR 20's in my Wright Mono 8's has me wanting to relay it to any who may find it helpful. 

I recently recapped my phono stage with Mundorf's SIO, to most excellent results btw, and after letting them settling in for at least a couple hundred hours I was getting, along with more detail,  a grunge, or grainyness at times when things get cooking with a lot of instruments at once. I was questioning this thinking more break-in perhaps, alignment/set up, or this that and the other, even my soldering perhaps and after addressing all the above and really dialing it all in to the nitty picky utmost, I thought fuses. So I pulled out the SR 20's in my Wright Mono 8's and I discovered they were in like normal left to right lettering and it was then I remembered reversing them for shite and giggles. I totally forgot I did that getting caught up in the excitement of the Mundorf cap tweak. After reversing, congestion grainy type thing all but gone. This is my story and I'm sticking to it. 

After Geofkkait chimed in I decided to call Alfred and ended up speaking with his lovely wife Betty who confirmed after a 5 minute hold, she needed to look it up on SR literature, that the SR 20's are indeed directional with the the "0" end being inserted into the fuse holder. She also said the Blacks are less so and try it and see it which way sounds better to you. I know, wishy washy. But experience with these fuses bear it out.  I also found this but may be may be nothing new to you old hands,


In my experience nearly all fuses are directional including SR Quantum Fuses. I recommend you try them in one component at at time and experiment with directionality. You should immediately notice a preference for one direction or the other. If a component has more than one fuse use a DVM (Digital Volt Meter) to determine direction of current in the circuit. Once you know the direction of current in each fuse holder place all fuses in like direction paying attention to have the letters on the SR Quantum Fuses all in the same direction either reading in the direction of signal flow, or against. Next switch direction and the correct match to your component should be readily apparent. There are just too many variables for me to make a blanket recommendation for all components when such a simple and definitive test is available.
As to having to take a reviewers word for it (or not,) regarding which fuse to try / buy you have the option to audition SR Quantum Fuses for 30 days in your system with a full refund of the cost of the fuse should you elect to go a different way. Our 30-day no risk audition policy takes the guess work out of trying SR Quantum Fuses and is offered because I am certain we make the best sounding fuses in the world.
Yours in music,
Ted Denney III
Lead Designer, Synergistic Research Inc.