Aftermarket fuse to tame a bright system?


Been reading all the interesting posts here, I've recently switched over to Audioquest silver interconnects and speaker cables, the improvement is easy to hear over OCC copper - lower noise floor, more clarity, greater transient snap, larger soundstage etc.... BUT.

I would say my system still has body, but the top end is now bright/harsh.  Could an aftermarket fuse tame this, so that I can still retain the clarity and other benefits of silver? I'm concerned that this potential solution may make my system more dynamic, and potentially give it a U or V shape sound profile - which is definitely what I don't want.

gavin1977

@jasonbourne71 Maybe fuses make no difference in your system.  In all of my friends systems and mine, fuses make a substantial difference.  With Acme treated fuses, always positive.  With SR fuses, it was a mixed bag (and now 10X more expensive).  I won't touch fuses where the manufacturer specifies not to or where boutique fuses require higher ratings to perform without blowing prematurely.  

I also have some equipment that is fuseless.  Your blanket assertion is wrong just as cabling makes no difference others have stated as fact.  

I use after 25 years of being a beta tester for a cable manufacturer, Blue Jeans Belden digital and XLR cabling pending auditioning higher end cables.  My friends are also changed to Blue Jeans Belden. Inexpensive but impressively neutral and full frequency/dynamic/open and dependably uniform.  Spend the money on the equipment first, then cabling.  As to fuses, $22/$24 Acme fuses are also a huge bargain, unless one's system can't resolve those differences.

 

@jasonbourne71 What does your audio system consist of and what acoustical/electrical environment is it used in?

I tried silver years ago.  Same issue.  Tried copper.  Same issue others find with copper.  Silver plated copper has same bright edge though to a some what lesser degree and does provide more technical resolution, also to a some what lesser degree. Found solution, also years ago.  Alloys. 

Plating still has two fairly separate conductors even if next to or surrounding one another.  Alloys blend the transmission characteristics into one conductor.  All my glare, bright, irritating over time due to treble were resolved in my two channel system with Purist Audio Design Dominus Luminist cables which use a proprietary gold/silver/copper alloy.  That was years ago when I still had some decent cash flow.  I built a relationship with a Purist Audio dealer and he took good care of me, providing trade-ins and dealer demo at very friendly prices and let  me pay over time. 

Alloys gave me the technical resolution of silver, the treble sparkle without glare AND the warm musicality, natural mid range and bass timbre of copper while resolving all subtle timing issues due to having separate conductors even if bundled together.  More than once I  have been watching a movie with sound through the two channel system, when I was interrupted by someone knocking or pounding on my front door and there is no one there.  It was in the movie.  That has been somewhat reassuring.

Due to financial constraints, not upgrading two channel much in recent years so I've now also gotten into head-fi.  Got some excellent IEMs almost perfect (for me) except for treble, same issues.  Problem solved with Effect Audio Fusion 1 IEM upgrade cable.  Gold, Silver, Copper wires mixed in a very unique cable architecture, again problem solved beautifully.  If only I could have been able to afford the cables with these metals alloyed. 

I do not contend with those who do not think that wires make a difference.  We all hear differently and I am sure they can probably hear nuances I cannot hear. Though if i had the means I know exactly what I want to upgrade, I knew what i had was good enough when after a tweak to my system, I kept forgetting to listen to it because the music kept distracting me.  Let's all just enjoy what we can hear.

Purist Audio Design Dominus Luminist is a very nice suggestion - I'll look it up.

 

The problem started after changing your IC's and speaker cables.  Changing something else won't fix the situation.  A fuse change can change the overall sound but won't fix the problem.  As I see it, you have several options.  The first would be to sit tight for 200-300 hours and see what happens.  If you have a streamer or transport with the ability to play continuously, that is easy-just run it nonstop while you're home.  This is the easiest, but I suspect it won't change things to your satisfaction.  The second depends on if you still have your old cables.  Trade out either the IC's or speaker cables with your original cables. I would start with the IC's.   This will help you locate the likely culprit.  Once it has settled a bit, reverse the process.  If it is clear which cable set is producing the problem, change only that.  If you're not sure, go back to your original set up and reverse the process. Silver can be intoxicating because the upper end gets super focused and clear.  My ears can tolerate it only for about 30 mins.  I have a combo of silver and copper in my system and they balance each other out nicely. I would also work with the Cable Co.  They are very friendly and knowledgable.  Good luck.