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
plutos
224 posts
 
Thanks Jond!

Frank,

Thanks!
I`m in Europe so shipping and customs are bit too much for a fuse.
May I ask what fuses you suggest to change first? Amp, preamp or digital player?
Can you please explain briefly the theory behind the aftermarket fuses and their benefits?

Thanks in advance and Happy listening!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
"The fuse element is made of zinc, copper, silver, aluminium, or alloys to provide stable and predictable characteristics. The fuse ideally would carry its rated current indefinitely, and melt quickly on a small excess. The element must not be damaged by minor harmless surges of current, and must not oxidise or change its behaviour after possibly years of service."

Re-read that last sentence:
A fuse can age with inrush currents ect, I believe the fuse mongers are praying on that.

Just change your old fuse for the same 10c new one, instead of paying >$100 for a voodoo fuse, that can be a danger if overrated .

Cheers George
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
georgehifi

Someone wrote: "The fuse element is made of zinc, copper, silver, aluminium, or alloys to provide stable and predictable characteristics. The fuse ideally would carry its rated current indefinitely, and melt quickly on a small excess. The element must not be damaged by minor harmless surges of current, and must not oxidise or change its behaviour after possibly years of service."

to which George responded,

'Re-read that last sentence:
A fuse can age with inrush currents ect, I believe the fuse mongers are praying on that.

Nice Freudian slip. Let us pray.

Then George wrote,

Just change your old fuse for the same 10c new one, instead of paying >$100 for a voodoo fuse, that can be a danger if overrated .

Not bad advice but you forgot to mention trying the fuse both ways to see way sounds better.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,239 posts
 
Jond,
I notice we seem to agree with each other often on these forums .
Here we go once again 😊 As with you I have no problem with the anti upgrade fuse brigade. All opinions and experiences should be presented. At the end of the day it’s audio which means that you listen and make  a determination. Jond I’m not sure if you have tried the Black fuses or not. They are terrific in my system but don’the know how they may workout for you. Common sense dictates that not everyone will find them beneficial.
Charles
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I came to the conclusion a VERY long time ago that in threads like this there can be no "winner"
I have found a lot of very good information here and a lot of sensible posts and answers
However as in most walks of life there will always be the doom and nay sayers, trolls and downright argumentative mentalities that tend to ruin the good intent of these forums for everybody.
It appears there are a few persistent offenders who skip from the same type of deeply personal point of view thread to another trotting out the same old trite as if constant repetition will make believers out of everybody!
And please...do not make the mistake of equating my low post count with a low IQ count......
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