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Synergistic research RED SR Quantum fuses. Gotta try them!

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Posted on July 20, 2014 at 20:36:59
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 Ordered one when I bought my arc amp off of audiogon. Figured it would be nice to have as a "cheap" tweak. EXPENSIVE, yes. But a steal as far as what they do to improve your system.

I listened to the amp with the stock glass busman fuse for a couple of days, and kept the s.r. Fuse to establish a baseline.

Inserted the s.r. About 6 days ago, and I've only put about 30 hours on it. I was listening to the system just now, and commented to myself how great it sounded. I saw the stock fuse on the shelf looking at me, and decided to throw it back in, observing original polarity it had before, and was shocked at the collapse of music. I finally heard what "smear" sounds like. I never knew what it was, and Was able to identify it tonight for the first time. The s.r. Fuse makes sense where there is chaos. It enhances over all resolution. Everything just snaps into focus.

Funny thing is, you'll never realize something is wrong in your system, until, it is corrected. I would have been happy with the original fuse, and lived in ignorant bliss, but decided to take a chance on this expensive fuse, and it payed off big time.

Very easy to detect the improvements. I just don't understand why so many deny some tweaks without even experiencing them first hand. It kinda defeats the hobby, I think. Anyway- huge two thumbs up!

 

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For what it's worth., posted on July 20, 2014 at 21:44:12
jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6797
Joined: January 5, 2005
 I only use the fuses ARC installed in the amp.

I had a 6550 tube short a couple of years ago. Thank God the fuse blew. Nothing else was damaged.....

Are the Synergistic research RED SR Quantum fuses UL Listed?

Best regards,
Jim

 

RE: For what it's worth., posted on July 20, 2014 at 23:48:13
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 I don't believe they are UL listed.

 

RE: For what it's worth., posted on July 21, 2014 at 02:10:42
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
 Then why use it if there's no protection guarantee?

 

RE: Synergistic research RED SR Quantum fuses. Gotta try them!, posted on July 21, 2014 at 07:15:17
hawkmoon
Audiophile

Posts: 918
Location: cleveland
Joined: July 11, 2003
 Tried any other fuses? I use the hi-fi tuning in my amp and CD player, and they are much better than stock.

 

RE: For what it's worth., posted on July 21, 2014 at 07:33:36
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 To be honest, it never crossed my mind to check for a UL listing. :-( this fuse sounds so much better than the stock one, it's hard to give up.

 

RE: Synergistic research RED SR Quantum fuses. Gotta try them!, posted on July 21, 2014 at 09:56:45
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 I have furutech fuses in my preamp and CD player. They also sound great. I tried the sr red fuse because I bought a new component, and after experiencing what the furutech did for those units, I took a chance with this s.r. one, and man what a difference, took a layer of mud out I didn't realize was there.

 

so......, posted on July 21, 2014 at 13:34:51
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 When your UL rated device fails and causes catastrophic damage, will UL pay replacement costs?In fact will they issue any kind of guarantee?

Just curious.....

 

RE: so......, posted on July 21, 2014 at 14:28:03
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
 Oh dear! Have you heard of a case of an approved fuse not doing what it's supposed to do? Are you suspicious of UL ratings? Are you condoning non-UL rated fuses? If you don't trust UL approved fuses, just short out the fuse holder. Is this what you do?

 

RE: Synergistic research RED SR Quantum fuses. Gotta try them!, posted on July 21, 2014 at 16:17:03
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1961
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
 Audiolover718,

Thanks for sharing your report on the SR Quantum Red Fuse, as I took delivery of one of these and an Audio Magic Nano earlier today, after posing the question about the various different flavors of fuses here not lying ago, unfortunately as my Gout has caused my knee to flare you something hellava, I wouldn't have a chance to play with the two possibility until this weekend, as I'd much rather play it safe and rest my body, then rush out into the listening room, and have to crawl back.

Next up, Audio Horizon Platinum Reference.

But it's great to know that some others think outside the box as well, and see these as a means of enhancing ones system ever further - and for those clowns crying about UL Ratings..........., damn, could you give it a f_ _ king break already!, have you had the wiring in your circuit breakers tested to make certain they're up to code, because while something's are relevant - some shit is just basic common sense, ii it not?.

I'm sorry about that Audiolover718 and fellow members, but some of these olde cats need to really get a pet or something and maybe avoid reading this shit, as it seems to get under their skin, and I'm not down with the crying shit, not today.

Regards,
O_oh

 

Why not bypass the fuse altogether? Your system will sound even better., posted on July 21, 2014 at 17:29:30
jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6797
Joined: January 5, 2005
 Grouchy old fart.

 

you place, posted on July 21, 2014 at 18:48:22
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 Sooo much emphasis on UL approval but what stereo components do you own carrying the UL seal? My guess if its a truly high end piece, nothing.....
Does Chevy carry UL approval? Obviously not since they are recalling all their ignition switches.... Do all your light recepticles have the UL stiamp? How bout your alarm clocks, or cell phones, or ipads, etc.?p

 

RE: you place, posted on July 21, 2014 at 21:34:51
rick_m
Audiophile

Posts: 6230
Location: Oregon
Joined: August 11, 2005
 "How bout your alarm clocks, or cell phones, or ipads, etc.?"

They are class 2 devices Stu unless the alarm clock plugs directly in, so they don't need approval... Only the thing that changes the power line into a class 2, power limited circuit does. Usually that means the wall wart.

It's actually the local codes of one's cascade of governmental bodies that determine what's required. Things like the NEC are just suggestions unless referenced by local law, which is usually the case. In my state stuff that uses more juice than class 2 has to be "recognized". But they don't care by whom. UL is but one recognizing body.

Remember, governments are lawyers...

Rick

 

Actually, what I've found is that..., posted on July 22, 2014 at 07:47:24
Joe Appierto
Audiophile

Posts: 1068
Location: Central NJ
Joined: January 3, 2004
 HiFi-Tuning and AMR fuses at least, the only two I've tried, have a tendency to blow more often than stock fuses. When I questioned John at The Cable Company about this, he said that HiFi-Tuning fuses are built to tighter tolerances than stock fuses (the latter of which have about a +10% tolerance) and as a result, will actually blow more quickly than the much vaunted "UL approved" fuses.


Joe

 

RE: Actually, what I've found is that..., posted on July 22, 2014 at 09:48:41
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
 And did these fuses blow for a reason?

 

Yes, posted on July 22, 2014 at 10:01:03
Joe Appierto
Audiophile

Posts: 1068
Location: Central NJ
Joined: January 3, 2004
 In two cases I was using old stock tubes that I probably shouldn't have and were twitchy -- so the fuses blew rather than melting a resistor if the fuses had held. In the other case I had/have an integrated that was sensitive to the initial power-on in-rush.

The latter problem was solved with going from a slow-blow to an extra slow-blow designed for exactly that situation. I had even sent the integrated in and was told that except for a slightly higher DC offset than ideal, there was nothing wrong with it.

I continue to use aftermarket fuses in my speakers and integrated and had previously used them in a CD player and a couple of amps. In no case did the equipment ever suffer any damage due to using properly rated aftermarket fuses.


Joe

 

RE: Yes, posted on July 22, 2014 at 10:35:14
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
 You're one of the lucky ones. Check out Roger Modjesky at another site and see what he thinks of these kinds of fuses.

 

RE: Yes, posted on July 22, 2014 at 15:17:59
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14381
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 That was an excellent read! There was even something in it for the yea-sayers who don't want all their hard earned money to go to the fuse makers(soldering in silver wire). I haven't mad a decision on all of this. but I like to see all the opinions.

Dave

 

You ought, posted on July 22, 2014 at 23:19:34
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 to check UL standards: Batteries, watches, portable tools, lots of stuff you wouldn't really believe

 

RE: Synergistic research RED SR Quantum fuses. Gotta try them!, posted on July 23, 2014 at 08:27:51
el34eh@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1961
Location: Michigan
Joined: September 6, 2003
Audiolover718,

I'd like to thank you again for bringing up the SR Quantum Red Fuse, as it was one of tge ones I auditioned this morning with my findings shown in the second post here:

www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=tweaks&m=194635

To my mind - all of this stuff counts in audio, and whether it's approved by gumpy olde guys or not, it's all about

" Mi-Fi ".

Regards,
O_o scar

 

Would Like to, but...., posted on July 23, 2014 at 12:49:36
KONA
Audiophile

Posts: 84
Joined: March 31, 2002
 I've been using AMR fuses in a number of components in my home theater and music only system. They're relatively inexpensive and make a nice improvement over the stock fuses in all the applications that I've tried. I've had a problem however when I've used them in my ARC VS 55 amplifier. The supplied Buss fuse is a 5 amp slo-blo. The same value AMR fuse blew on startup, two in fact. I went to a 6.3 amp fuse and that worked fine for a couple of months until it too blew on startup. I put the Buss fuse back in and it continues to work fine as it has for many years. I'd love to try Synergistic's Red fuse in this application but I would have to try either a 5 amp or 8 amp value. I'd be afraid that the 5 amp would instantly fail and be a waste of $100 and the 8 amp would be an improper value to properly protect my amplifier. I wrote Synergistic a message inquiring about this but the gist of their reply was they didn't know and if I did try it to let them know how it turned out. Apparently some of these audiophile fuses do behave differently than the same value Buss fuses during the startup surge in a tube amp.

 

RE: so......, posted on July 24, 2014 at 02:43:51
benie
Audiophile

Posts: 1851
Location: Alberta, Canada
Joined: October 24, 2004
 Yep, when a Maggie ribbon blows and not the fuse

 

RE: Would Like to, but...., posted on July 24, 2014 at 09:45:12
Ubiquitous Biscuit
Audiophile

Posts: 141
Joined: November 2, 2013
 " ..... but the gist of their reply was they didn't know". Of course they wouldn't know because they are not schooled in electrical theory. And like Roger Modjesky says, they send these fuses to reviewers (who have even less knowledge about electrical theory), get the desired glowing review, and then you buy them.

 

Just a thought,, posted on July 24, 2014 at 10:01:49
jea48
Audiophile

Posts: 6797
Joined: January 5, 2005
 Call equipment manufactures and ask them about aftermarket fuses. Most importantly if the equipment warranty is still good if the fuses are used in their equipment.

 

Warning! Clean up your act., posted on July 24, 2014 at 19:54:03
Jon Risch
Bored Member

Posts: 6662
Joined: April 4, 2000
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 el34eh,

Your language in several posts in Tweakers' has been unacceptable, and they have been deleted.

One post remains, as a public warning.

If you continue to violate the Asylum Rules, then you could be banned.

Please, there is no need to use such language, if you can't control yourself, then we will be forced to do so.

Moderator Tweakers',
Jon Risch
Jon Risch

 

I can not remember where I read , posted on July 27, 2014 at 13:46:40
unclestu
Dealer

Posts: 5851
Joined: April 13, 2010
 the following but IIRC, it was from a manufacturers' brochure on fuses. Suffice to say not all fuses are the same, sonically as well as in other performance aspects.

Tube gear demands a slow blow fuse , primarily because the heater elements of a tube are pretty much a dead short when cold and first turned on. Turn on surges are very high.

Being a collector of vintage tube gear I have noticed that the older tube gear use an MDL type fuse with a spring loaded element. The thicker fusible link is under tension with a spring which can absorb the turn on surges associated with tube gear.

Modern slow blo fuses typically have a thin wire wound about a fiberglass or ceramic core. The winding itself acts as a spring to absorb the surges. If you closely examine such a fuse you can literally see the fusible link move with powering up. Such fuses will break after a number of power on cycles as the fusible element will mechanically fatigue.

The older dual element fuses are capable of higher current overload and more suitable for tube gear, particularly amplifiers with the large current draw needed for power tubes.

A quick google search shows some interesting specs for fuses.
All fuses should carry rated current for a minimum of 4 hours. At 200% of rated value, they should blow in 5 seconds but can take as long as 30 seconds (BEL ceramic fuses).

FOr EI fuses the blow time for a slo blo fuse is even shorter: at 200% of rating the blow time is 200mS.

For fast blo fuses, Sun specs their fuses at blowing at 1 hour when run at 150% of rated current.

It is apparent though all of these fuses meet UL, CSA, Semko, VDE, CE and IEC requirements there is quite a range in performance.

 

Ordered one. Should be here tomorrow., posted on July 31, 2014 at 08:06:17
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 10335
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 I bought a new preamp two weeks ago, new to me anyway, and have wanted to upgrade the stock ceramic fuse since I got it home. I've been a HiFi Tuning users for years. Have some of their original grade fuses and one of their supreme. This preamp is the current version of my old pre, and that unit had/has one of the original HiFi fuses in it. The new pre is a considerable step up from its predecessor and it should be an interesting test for the SR Red to see if it can add some icing to an already sweet cake. Expecting good things ...

 

RE: Synergistic research RED SR Quantum fuses. Gotta try them!, posted on September 15, 2014 at 22:13:47
Audiolover718
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Joined: February 27, 2011
 Just wanted to add that I replaced the Furutech fuse that was in my preamp with another SR quantum RED fuse. The furutech is good, and indeed an upgrade over the stock fuse, but not to the degree of the Synergistic Research. The SR has more resolve, a quieter background, and just sounds more right. The furutech by comparison sounds like really good hifi, the SR sounds more like a live event.

 

RE: For what it's worth., posted on November 7, 2014 at 08:52:52
expatcortona@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: Tuscany
Joined: March 4, 2013
 I have been in touch with Joseph Chow who sells the Audio Horizons Platinum Reference fuses. He used to be both a dealer of and also the the overseas support for Bussman. With respect to what fuses are supposed to do to protect components he know what he is talking about. He assures me that the design and construction of his AH fuses are rigorously tested and controlled and meet existing standards.

 

RE: so......, posted on November 7, 2014 at 12:03:23
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 2460
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
 "When your UL rated device fails and causes catastrophic damage, will UL pay replacement costs?In fact will they issue any kind of guarantee?"

That's an interesting question because as we all know UL stands for Underwriters' Laboratory which was set up by the insurance companies (underwriters) to ensure that electrical products sold for the home are safe. The reason is obvious: if they are going to pay damages for a fire (for instance) they want to ensure that electrical products in the home can not start a fire.

So the answer to your question is YES the insurance compay (obviously not UL) will pay to repair the damages. If there is an electrical fire in your home the underwriter (insurance company) WILL PAY. That is unless the insurance examiner decides that the owner of the home was negligent in installing UNAPPROVED electrical equipement in the home.

What are the chances that the insurance adjuster is going to check the fuses in your amp? Slim to none; so even if the fire that burns down your home was a result of a faulty fuse, the insurance company will pay. No doubt, the next fuse you buy after the fire will be UL approved.

 

RE: so......, posted on November 7, 2014 at 13:52:29
expatcortona@yahoo.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: Tuscany
Joined: March 4, 2013
 Thanks Palustris... now I know what UL stands for.

 

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