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21 May 2026
FutureShop is an authorised dealer for Merlin Cables and Quantum Science Audio (QSA). The Merlin Tarantula MK6 power cable is supplied by FutureShop fitted with a QSA Black fuse as standard. This review was conducted on a Roksan Kandy integrated amplifier, Monitor Audio Gold 100 speakers, and Furutech DAC.
Our Verdict
The Merlin Tarantula MK6 with QSA Black fuse is a strong all-round power cable at its price, offering inviting dynamics and top-end sweetness that matches the PS Audio AC3 at half the cost. Its lightweight, flexible construction is a practical advantage over stiffer competitors. If depth and body are your priorities, the AudioQuest Z3 leads that conversation, but on dynamics and top-end quality per pound, the Tarantula/QSA combination is hard to beat.
Quick Take
- FutureShop supplies the Merlin Tarantula MK6 fitted with a QSA Black fuse as standard. The two are reviewed here as the combination as sold, not as separate upgrades.
- The Tarantula MK6 features ECG (Energy Control Ground) technology, Ali/Mylar shielding, natural cotton fillers for noise reduction, and XLPE insulation. It is hand-assembled in South England.
- Compared against AudioQuest Y3, Z3, Wireworld Stratus 7, and PS Audio AC3: the Tarantula/QSA wins on top-end sweetness and dynamics for the money. The Z3 wins on depth and body. The Wireworld wins on clarity and top-end sparkle.
- The Tarantula's lightweight, flexible construction makes it notably easier to route behind equipment than the stiffer Wireworld or heavier AudioQuest cables. Practical advantage in tight racks.
- The QSA fuse alone is a meaningful upgrade: it sweetens the top end in a way that places the Tarantula/QSA combination above the PS Audio AC3 at twice the AC3's cost on that specific quality.
- The Tarantula MK6 QSA Edition is also available with a QSA Blue fuse for a further step in fuse performance. See the upgrade guide below.
Introduction to the Fuse Dilemma
Fuse Curious? If you're reading this, you'll either be fuse-curious or fuse-cautious. Either way, from an electrical standpoint, the humble fuse is a bottleneck at the origin of your audio – power. This is why FutureShop now supplies the Merlin Tarantula power cords fitted with Quantum Science Audio Black fuses as standard, taking entry-level performance to the next level.
All the power that runs into your system passes through your power cables via that hair-width inch of conductive material. Fidelity is preserved by keeping the path as pure and unaffected as possible – from the wall socket to our ears.
Comparative Performance Analysis
We compared performance against offerings from AudioQuest: the Y3 and Z3, Wireworld Stratus 7, and even the mighty PS Audio AC3 power cables.
Test System and Recording Selections
Playback of two excellent recordings: Christine and the Queen's, Tilted and George Michael's, Different Corner (Symphonica Live) on our modest test system comprising the popular Roksan Kandy amplifier, Monitor Audio Gold 100 through a Furutech DAC, told us everything we needed to know about these outstanding cables.
Achieving Clean Power: The Tarantula's Enhanced Listening Experience
The Award-winning Merlin Tarantula – now with the QSA Black fuse – was found to take the test system a significant first step toward the benefits of clean power. The cable, on its own, delivers a stronger sound over stock power cords and dispels the harshness we unknowingly accept from our systems. The addition of the QSA Black fuse adds excitement with smoother top-end performance and a dynamic, delicate touch, making this combination a pleasant listening experience against alternatives. George's voice floats upon the rich underpinning of the accompaniment in the Royal Albert Hall while the electronic accents of Tilted had space to breathe.
Comparative Dynamics: Merlin Tarantula vs. AudioQuest, Wireworld & PS Audio AC3 Power Cables
Compared with AudioQuest's offerings, the Merlin may be leaner but compensates with its inviting dynamics although AudioQuest's Z3 cable surpasses the Merlin/QSA combination in depth and body, providing George and Christine's tracks the scale needed. The Wireworld Status 7's talent lies in its impressive clarity and top-end sparkle, focusing the sonority of Christine's smoothly recorded voice.
Despite Merlin's straightforward design, it's remarkably easy to work with for a high-quality power cable. In contrast, the Wireworld owes much of its top-end sparkle to its impressively stiff, flat design. AudioQuest owes its robust sound to reassuringly heavier built construction; however, you'll appreciate space and cable length to help manipulate these behind your equipment stand.
For its part against the PS Audio AC3, a firm Future Shop favourite, at twice the cost – the QSA fuse upgrades in Tarantula cables manage to sweeten the top in that way that QSA has earned their popularity.
| Cable | Strength in this review | Limitation noted | Practicality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merlin Tarantula MK6 + QSA Black | Inviting dynamics, top-end sweetness. Beats PS Audio AC3 on top-end quality at half the cost. | Leaner than Z3 in depth and body | Lightweight, flexible, easy to route. Best practical score in the group. |
| AudioQuest Y3 | Entry-level AudioQuest character: solid LGC conductors, noise-dissipation technology | Surpassed by the Z3 at the next tier up | Heavier construction than the Tarantula |
| AudioQuest Z3 | Wins on depth and body. Best for listeners who want scale and physical presence in the sound. | Higher cost than the Tarantula/QSA combination | Heavier, needs more space behind equipment stands |
| Wireworld Stratus 7 | Wins on clarity and top-end sparkle. Best for those who want vocal focus and detail at the high end. | Stiff flat design limits routing options | Impressive construction but inflexible. Needs planning. |
| PS Audio AC3 | A FutureShop favourite. Strong all-rounder at a higher price. | At twice the Tarantula/QSA cost, the top-end sweetness of the QSA combination is competitive | Standard flexibility for the price tier |
QSA Fuse Upgrade Path: Black, Blue, and Beyond
FutureShop supplies the Tarantula MK6 with a QSA Black fuse fitted as standard. But QSA produces a range of fuses at ascending performance levels, and the Tarantula/QSA combination is also available with the next tier up. Here is what the QSA fuse range looks like and how it maps to your system.
| QSA fuse tier | Character | Available with Tarantula MK6 | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | QSA's entry-level fuse. Focuses on improving audio clarity and reducing noise. Smoother top-end, more dynamic presentation over a standard fuse. Reviewed here. | Yes. Supplied as standard with every Tarantula MK6 from FutureShop. | Mid-level systems where the fuse is an untreated bottleneck. The strongest value entry point into QSA. |
| Blue | A step above Black. Greater resolution and refinement, building on the Black's character. | Yes. The Tarantula MK6 QSA Blue Edition is available as a factory-fitted upgrade. | Systems where the Black has already been tried and a further step is warranted. The next logical upgrade. |
| Higher tiers | QSA produces fuses above the Blue tier. Each offers greater noise reduction and resolution on systems that can reveal the difference. | Standalone QSA fuses can be fitted to other power cables in your system by our team. | High-end systems where every component and cable is already at a high level. Contact our team to discuss. |
Important compatibility note: QSA fuses are not recommended for use with AudioQuest Niagara, Furman, or Torus Power conditioners. If you are using one of these units in your power chain, contact our team before ordering.
The Verdict
With a QSA fuse upgrade, the Merlin Tarantula matches and, in certain attributes, surpasses competing products. At a glance, it's easy to overlook the Merlin's practical design, but if looks are deceiving, the sound is not.
Whichever power cable you choose, the tested collection offers something for everyone. If further guidance is needed, we invite you to contact one of our experienced, industry-leading technical support team to help you make a lasting choice of power cable to complement your hi-fi setup.
For a comparison of how a quality power cable performs inside a dedicated power distribution block, our Chord PowerHAUS S6 review covers the AudioQuest Monsoon in exactly that context on a reference system. And for readers considering Nordost power cords as an alternative at a higher price tier, the Nordost Leif 3 review covers a full power cord evaluation on our Ayre/B&W reference system.
The Merlin Tarantula MK6 QSA Black Edition and QSA Blue Edition are available now at FutureShop, alongside the standard Tarantula MK6 and the heavier-gauge Merlin Black Widow MK6, all backed by our 60-day money-back guarantee on cables. Not sure which cable or fuse tier suits your system? Get in touch with our team for free expert advice.
