September 2026

World Premiere Review!
Synergistic Research Holographic Fuse Review — A $249 Upgrade That Expands Soundstage, Dynamics, And Musical Flow
Transforming vacuum tube & solid-state hi-fi audio gear with greater atmosphere, emotion, and musical bliss.
Review By Rick Becker

   This is a rush job. Andy Weiderspahn, President of Synergistic Research, emailed me on June 22 to inform me that they had just finalized their new Holographic fuse and asked if I would be interested in reviewing it. It was a natural decision on his part because I had reviewed their fuses going all the way back to the Black in 2016. And knowing what I do about their fuses, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. They've been a mainstay in my rig since those early days. Andy said they would be ready in about four weeks, as they still had to source the packaging.

The fuses arrived on August 5th while I was in a Zoom class on Neuroscience at my local Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning. After class, I started installing them in my Sony CD transport, LampizatOr DAC, Backert Labs preamp, and the Coincident Turbo 845 SE integrated amp that I had pulled out of mothballs to try with the outstanding Tiglon White Tiger power cord that is currently reviewed in the August issue. I wanted to burn them in all at once to save time on my tube gear. Burn-in typically takes 100 to 200 hours, so I set it all up with the CD player on 'Repeat' 24/7 for... well, I'll get to that. I finished installing them around 11 p.m. after a break for dinner.

Six Hours To Install Four Fuses?
Having been through this before, I knew fuses are initially directional. By this, I mean they sound better when installed in one direction than another. The only way you can tell is to try them one way, listen closely to a 20 to 30 second opening to a musically simple song (female vocals are great), then reverse the fuse and listen again to that same short segment. If you got it right the first time, you will have to reverse it once again. I went through this with each of my four components and made notes on the fuse boxes for the correct insertion. All Synergistic fuses are constructed the same way, meaning the labels always read left to right, same as the directionality of the fuse. So if you replace one when the next generation appears, you will not have to go through this exercise again.

If this is too much work for you, simply insert the fuse once and be done with it. Eventually, the fuse will respond to the current passing through it and arrive at maximum sound quality. It will just take longer if you don't get the directionality right the first time. Given the short lead time of this review, I wanted to get each fuse properly oriented at the start.

Warning: Be sure to turn off the component and disconnect the power cord before changing the fuse, and it is wise to wait a few minutes to allow the capacitors to discharge if you have to go inside the unit to change the fuse. Unfortunately, I could not find a comprehensive YouTube video that covers the different types of fuse holders in common use today, so I've included photos of the ones in my rig.

Another key factor with Synergistic fuses is that the benefit is cumulative. That's why I have a Synergistic Master fuse in my phono stage—to bring that extra bit of resolution and transparency at the head of the chain so that resolution will trickle down all the way to the speakers. A $595 Master fuse roughly equates to spending $4000 on a new phono cartridge in my case, and while any phono cartridge will eventually wear out, unless your wiring is bad or you're prone to lightning strikes or power surges, your fuse will outlive your phono cartridge. The good news with the new Holographic fuse is that the price remains the same as the Pink fuse it replaces at $249. It is a small price to pay for the additional sound quality it delivers to each component, and that's why I run them in all my components that have fuses.

Synergistic Research has a wealth of videos about their products on their website, found under the "News" heading. For those who are curious, I expect a comparison of the Holographic fuse and the Master fuse will be posted in the near future.

Sony CD Player
My Sony CDP-X77ES from 1991 has been in my possession since the early 1990s. I've long since used it solely as a transport. A shielded generic power cord was hard-wired in place of the original lamp cord, and an IEC inlet was installed on the short end emerging from the chassis, allowing use of high end power cords to great advantage. ERS paper sits above the transport side of the unit to absorb RFI. The digital side of the player was disconnected, and the caps were replaced two years ago. It rides on LessLoss Giant Steps (LINIK LINK) footers, which also ameliorate atmospheric interference. The Sony transport and laser reader in the ES series is of legendary build quality, and these mods have made a huge improvement in sound quality.

The fuse is located inside the unit, requiring removal of the top plate after disconnecting the power cord and letting the caps dissipate. A small screwdriver with an insulated handle was used to pry up one end of the fuse to remove it each time. Care was taken not to touch the small gob of metamaterial on the outside of the glass fuse when inserting it. This is the stuff that supposedly affects the sound quality of the fuse.

The Holographic fuse made an immediately noticeable difference, though I've often wondered whether a Master fuse in the transport would extract even greater resolution.

LampizatOr Amber 4 Vacuum Tube DAC
LampizatOr uses a combination IEC inlet with a built-in fuse holder that requires the power cord to be removed to gain access to the fuse. I use a small flat-blade screwdriver inserted into the small slot on the AC inlet side of the fuse drawer to pry it out.

A scrap of leather can be useful in protecting the chassis or inlet from being disfigured in this process. Having a tube output stage, the Lampizator became even more holographic with the new fuse.

Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme 1.4
Like the LampizatOr DAC, the Backert Labs preamp has its fuse holder combined with the AC inlet, requiring removal of the power cord. Same technique, same story. The smooth, neutral presentation of this preamp presented an enhanced soundstage and greater sense of the recording venue with the Holographic fuse.

Coincident Turbo 845 SE Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier
The Turbo 845 SE is fitted with a separate fuse holder with a screw-on cap on the back of the chassis. The fuse is inserted, end first, and the cap is re-attached. Be sure to turn the amp off, disconnect the power cord, and wait a few minutes before changing the fuse, or tiny sparks will fly when you remove the cap. The photo above shows my Coincident phono stage with a Master fuse in the same type of fuse holder.

While I barely got past two days with the burn-in, early listening indicated this amp was greatly improved with the Holographic fuse. The 28 Watts per channel of Class A SET power easily drove the 92.5dB/W/m Acora speakers, presenting a huge, detailed soundstage that rivaled any soundstage I've heard with monoblocks in my home.

AGD Audion Monoblocks
The early models of The Audion monoblocks were equipped with a laboratory-grade fuse holder that also required the power cord to be removed to gain access to the fuse. There is a top side and a bottom side for either 115V or 220V fuses, so it takes a little concentration to get it right. Current production has the more common combination of AC-inlet with built-in fuse holder as seen in the LampizatOr and Backert Labs units above.

The Holographic fuse brought a greater sense of space and liquidity to The Audion, but it remained a neutral, highly resolved image. My tube amps with the Holographic fuse impressed me more than my AGD amp with the Holographic fuse, possibly because the new fuse plays to the strength of tube amps with its more liquid and holographic sound signature. But remember, I'm basically a tube guy to begin with. And the addition of the Holographic fuse to the AGD amp was certainly a welcome one. No matter what amp you own, it is likely to have a slightly different response to the addition of a Holographic fuse. The purpose of this review is simply to point you in the direction of what is likely to be a very positive experience.

Manley Labs Mahi Monoblocks
My Mahi is an early model, and it has two accessible fuses. On top is a screw-down cap for the B+ rail 0.4A fuse. This is the kind of fuse holder on the Coincident Turbo 845 SE amp. There is also a pry-to-release, pull-out fuse holder unlike any other I've seen on the back of the chassis, as shown above. Be sure to turn off the unit and pull out the AC power cord when accessing either of these fuses. I only replaced the fuse by the AC inlet on the back of the chassis.

The Holographic fuse replaced a generic fuse in the Mahi that I had coated with what I called Blue Tube Goop back in the day. It was a synthetic polymer that increased resolution when painted on the fuses and solder joints, especially the AC inlet inside the chassis. I had forgotten all about that over the years. It was an impressive and very cost-effective product, but it had a shelf life of about 6 months before it would harden in the bottle. This may be why I was so impressed with the Mahi when I pulled it out of mothballs. I was even more impressed with the new fuse—and that was in the 20-Watt triode mode with minimum negative feedback, not the 40-Watt ultralinear mode (which I haven't even thought to try since I've always loved triode).

I'm sure there are other types of fuse holders yet to be discovered, but that's what I had on hand for this review. The important things to remember are to shut off your component, disconnect your power cords, and be careful not to scrape off the magic metamaterial on the outside of the fuse.

Early Impression
As I worked my way from the CD transport to the power amp, it became easier to discern the proper direction of the fuse, with resolution improving at every step and an ever greater sense of space emerging. Even at the installation of the first fuse in the CD transport, it was clear why this generation of fuses was named Holographic, rather than another color like previous generations. In the first few hours, maybe even the first day, you will get a pretty good idea of what the outcome will be, but experience has shown me that ups and downs are to be expected, so I let it roll 24/7 with a CD of ocean waves to burn it in, turning the volume down at night.

After two days, I came into the room to find silence. The Coincident Turbo 845 SE had died. This was my amp with the least amount of time on it, since it runs quite warm. It was a huge disappointment because it was sounding so good and throwing as large a soundstage as any of my monoblocks—tube or solid state. The Holographic fuse was fine, and the high-voltage capacitors were loading, but there was no voltage going to the plate of the 845 tubes. I spoke with Israel Bloom at Coincident and learned that he has moved final assembly of his speaker and amplifier operation from Toronto to Sarasota, Florida. He later informed me he no longer had the schematic for that amp and referred me to a shop in Brantford, Ontario, that is familiar with Coincident amps. With the U.S. in a Customs war with Canada, it looks like a road trip, or two, is in my future.

Being left hanging, I pulled my trusty AGD Audion monoblocks into service and loaded Holographic fuses into them. It was not like starting from Square One again, as the other components had more than 50 hours on them, but the ups and downs were more noticeable with the AGD amps. The 'downs' were manifest in a flatter soundstage and a grainier presentation that made the music less interesting and less inviting. But the Holographic fuses also made a very favorable first impression with this GaNFET Class D design, rendering it smoother, more palpable, and even more dynamic when they were first installed. It was just a matter of waiting it out for the sound to mature and settle down.

After listening for several days once the AGD monoblocks had settled in, I began to reminisce about those first two days with the Coincident amp that really excited me. I really felt I should give you some feedback about the Holographic fuse in a tube amp. So I pulled out my Manley Mahi monoblocks, on which I had written the world premiere review back in 2003. I had pulled them out of storage a year or two ago with the intention of selling them and fired them up to be sure they still worked. This was one of the first products I reviewed, and as you can imagine, my rig was now significantly higher in cost and sound quality. Much to my surprise, so were the Manley Mahis, driving my Acora speakers with aplomb even in triode mode with only 20 Watts per channel. After taking a critical listen to establish a baseline, I loaded them with another pair of Holographic fuses and let them run 24/7. I had initially felt guilty about asking Andy for so many review samples, but circumstances were proving the request to be fortuitous.

Listening Perspectives
While I would have liked more listening time before writing this review, the fuses will remain here and consequently impact my future reviews. On that note, I should alert you that my rig has made very substantial gains over the past twelve months. Among the products that remained in my stable and were considered for Blue Note Awards were Audience Front Row Reserve power cords, the Nirvana Audio Chronos environmental tweak, IsoAcoustics GAIA Neo footers, Heartsong Audio Holostage environmental tweak, Bayz Audio Time Corrector, and Tiglon cables. Please note that there were no five- or six-figure components or speakers added to achieve what feels like a very lofty level.

The music that most impressed me with the addition of the Holographic fuses was classical music—both orchestral and chamber music. I'm not a classical music fan, but this music is typically recorded in large venues or intimate spaces, and this is exactly what the Holographic fuses enhance. I don't normally find myself toe-tapping along with classical music, but the revelation of the venue enhanced by the Holographic fuses did just that.

Organ music is another standout, as I discovered on Pipedreams.org on NPR. Not every recording is embedded with that reverberant atmosphere, as I learned from John Marks' Pipes Rhode Island, with intimate recordings made in eleven early churches in Rhode Island, but those that do made my rig sound holier than thou.

Hearts of Space on NPR with its "slow music for fast times" is another huge beneficiary of the Holographic fuse, whether the music is electronically generated or created with conventional instruments. In the latter vein, aRT, the eponymous CD from akLaff, Robinson, Thayer with traditional and non-traditional instruments, was suspended in my large listening room as ethereal as any electronically produced music.

Mickey Hart's Planet Drum transformed my room from pebbled beaches to jungle clearings, finding me reaching for my spear for protection from wild animals. Likewise, John Huling's compositions for native American flute on Canyon Spirit took me back to Arizona, where I drove through the night along the Canyon de Chelly on a dirt road in a 300ZX all the way to New Mexico.

Vincent Belanger's most personal compositions, found on his Songe CD, felt as real as when I sat four feet in front of his cello in the Audio Note room at the Montreal Audiofest.

Aberrations in tonal color from live recordings such as Live Rust by Neil Young & Crazy Horse become even more vivid, making you feel either more present or less present at the concert, depending on your personal mood. Dylan's live recordings are another example.

On Bukka White recordings from the '30s and '40s, his steel guitar comes alive, and his lyrics are distinct, though I still need a translator. And on a Town and Country Blues sampler from the Bluesville Record Archives, Jimmy Witherspoon reminds us of why we need inexpensive audiophile tweaks like Holographic fuses with his "Money's Gettin' Cheaper." These old recordings typically come across like black-and-white photos, but the Holographic fuse adds a dimension that makes them almost feel like the photo has been hand-colored.

From my compilation CD, Lyle Lovett's "Church" stands out for the greater depth of soundstage and the placement of backup singers that are so integral to the recording. The lyrics from the back of the stage were more intelligible than ever.

Rock music fares well, too. Sustained notes from Buddy Guy's electric guitar, James Taylor's live rendition of "Steamroller Blues", Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", and BB King & Eric Clapton doing "Three O'Clock Blues" all present with Technicolor presence and a boost in dynamics that is a fresh invitation to listen to songs I've heard hundreds of times over the years. Meaning, I've just inherited a new music collection.

The Holographic fuse will make your system more holographic. It is aptly named, and it is, by definition, a coloration. Your system will sound different. It is not so much a change of wet or dry, but rather it enhances the flow of the music, bringing out not just a greater sense of space, but also rhythm. There was an increase in resolution that clarifies the music, but it is not analytical. Rather, it invites you into the music by lowering the effort it takes your brain to interpret it. Lyrics come more naturally, almost making you beg for another verse. For those who seek an absolute sound, consider what your music would sound like if it were recorded in a different studio, mixed by a different engineer, played live in a different venue, or outdoors in a different arena. It's hard for me to imagine how much better a fuse could make my music sound. I probably said that about the Pink fuse before it. The takeaway is never underestimate Ted Denny.

Value
On Thursday, August 13th, I got a 'Last Call' for Blue Note Awards from my editor, Steve Rochlin. It was clear from my initial listening that the Holographic was special and deserving of a Blue Note, so I took personal responsibility to bump two other reviews that are nearing completion to squeeze this one into the September issue to qualify for this year's award cycle.

My reasoning derives from the Robin Hood School of Economics. Even casual surveillance at various luxury high-fidelity audio shows reveals a major trend in the high end toward ultra-expensive statement components that are far beyond even aspirational for the vast majority of enthusiasts. While there is also an influx of new companies offering entry-level or somewhat above (here's looking at you, Asia), there are lots of younger folks as well as older folks facing an uncertain economic future. The K-shaped economy is a global phenomenon, not limited to the U.S., yet the thirst for higher-quality playback equipment can be found at all economic levels. Furthermore, attendance at audio shows is rising. The Synergistic Holographic fuse offers an affordable upward pathway for sound quality from equipment you already own. A $249 fuse can turn your modest preamp into one that sounds as good (or better) than one you simply cannot afford.

The folks who own Boardwalk and Park Place can also play this same game. The Holographic fuse is a win for audiophiles at all economic levels, whether you start with a single fuse or fit them to your entire rig. And should you not care for the sound they impart on your gear, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. Andy tells me it rarely happens, but it certainly lowers the resistance to exploring the benefit.

Summary
Synergistic Research is no misnomer. Ted Denney has come up with yet another twist in his evolutionary series of audiophile fuses. I've been fortunate to review most of them. Each named color has exceeded the previous, and the Holographic brings to your music exactly what its name suggests, along with some additional transparency and resolution above and beyond the Pink fuse it replaces. While I'm not a fan of classical music, I found it especially inviting whether it was orchestral or chamber music. Organ music, electronica, and Gregorian chants also excelled, as did live recordings of virtually any genre. DIY'ers have long known the benefits of tweaking a component, and the Holographic fuse brings that capability to audiophiles who lean toward plug-and-play. That I've rushed this review to completion to qualify for this year's Blue Note Awards tells you how much I enjoy its accomplishments and respect its contribution to high-end audio.

In memory of Frank Beard, drummer for ZZ Top for over 50 years, who passed away as I was completing this review, I'd like to share a live version of one of their songs that is never far from my turntable. It will be played again and again.

Specifications
Type: High-performance fuse
Available in 5 x 20mm and 6.3 x 32mm sizes
Available in both Slo-Blow and Fast-Blow types
Available in a wide variety of amperages, depending on size and type
Price: $249.00 each

Company Information
Synergistic Research Inc.
11208 Young River Ave.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Voice: (949) 476-0000
Website: Synergisticresearch.com