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In Reply to: RE: Just for fun,... posted by David Pritchard on January 20, 2016 at 13:57:14
you wrote, "Put the original fuse back in- soundstage smaller and more shallow, less grain heard, more of a sense of live music. A significant improvement."
By this do you really mean to say that despite the smaller and more shallow soundstage with the stock fuse, you on balance preferred the stock fuse to the Synergistic Red? Perhaps you miswrote or I misread, but that's the way it reads to me.
Follow Ups:
Lew:
Thank you for seeing that I left out key words. I will try again.
Original fuse was replaced with Synergistic Research RED fuse - a big improvement.
After a week of playing using the RED fuse, I changed its direction- a small change. One direction slightly better than the other.
Put the original fuse back in. The sound was noticeably worse using the stock fuse. I tried the stock fuse in both directions.
Synergistic Research RED fuse put back in and sound again improved. The sonic changes were better detail, better imaging, less grain to the sound, and the music conveyed more emotion.
The Synergistic Research RED fuse stayed in the system.
I guess you've done about as well as one can do, working alone, to remove bias from your judgement of the fuse. I am beginning to believe the hoopla, but not entirely until I try it myself.
I'm with you, Lew.
Part of what causes me to balk is paying $130 (Synergistic Research Quantum Black) for something as "disposable" as a fuse.
Some of my doubt comes from tweaks posted here some years ago, where several posters suggested wrapping the glass body of a fuse with Teflon plumbers tape. The theory was that this would reduce vibration. It was cheap and easy, so I tried it, but didn't hear any of the improvement that the posters suggested.
My questions would be:
(1) What could be happening in the fuse to make it sound any different from a "normal" fuse, and does the mechanism violate UL standards for the function of a fuse.
(2) If this has something to do with conductance, then placing an expensive fuse into a standard fuseholder would seem to negate at least some of the improvement one might expect (but that doesn't mean that one couldn't hear the fuse at all, I admit).
It should cause some pause for thought that a manufacturer with a devoted following keeps upping the ante, e.g., Red was great, but now Black is even better. However, I have heard some unexpected results from changes I make to my own audio system, so I am by no means about to dismiss this fuse stuff out of hand. As mentioned elsewhere, I do use Acme silver cryo fuses (because the last time I needed some, they cost only $16 each), and I install them in Acme cryo silver fuseholders which replace the stock fuseholders in my gear, where I think a boutique fuse is appropriate.
I wouldn't call it contempt, but more like skepticism prior to investigation in my case.
I will admit to having had the same healthy dose of skepticism regarding power cords. Then I bought one on a thirty day trial, fulling expecting to send it back. I figured the cost of postage would be worth it to prove to myself that power cords can't make a difference. I'm sure you've already figured out that I kept the power cord.
My main concern is in regards to the level of protection these fuses offer. Perhaps, because they're made in small batches, their QC might actually exceed that of Buss, Littlefuse, etc. or maybe not. I'm hesitant to risk a $2000 amp in the quest for better sound.
You're a step ahead of me in that you're using the Acme fuses. Have you switched back to a generic type fuse and listened for any differences?
Lew:
I certainly hope you will try one of the Synergistic Research fuses. I do like the fact you get a 30 trial evaluation period. Synergistic Research is very good about this and their dealers understand this policy.
I found it to be an educational and fun project. Quote from a Synergistic Research dealer at this years Rocky Mountain Audiofest
" This stuff is expensive. If you do not hear a significant change send it back."
I use three tube amps and I wish I could tube roll with a 30 day tube return policy !
Good music listening to all.
David Pritchard
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