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FUSES, Finally!?

     I have been adamant about avoiding special fuses, because of the lack of empirical studies.  Here is my question:  What would be something not too expensive that would be a good start.  I use three dual mono Audire amps (for Woofs, Mids and Tweets, and Subs, each of the six channel having four fuses.  I would not not want to spend thousands, even if I could, just to experiment.  My heat sinks do unplug, along with the outputs, and I could try just one channel or one amp.  Paul of PS mentioned what they use, and that might eventually be a possibility, but what do you guys (and gals?) think I should do, to just to convince this ageing skeptic?  Also, each channel of my amps has one single, dedicated computer chip that regulates the filling of the 4 26,000 mf caps (per channel), which might make any difference less than a design that allows a flood of electrons into the tank, presuming that might matter.  DanV
128x128danvignau

Showing 3 responses by mrdecibel

mrdecibel
2,937 posts
 
@danvignau , Speakers or no speakers, amp chassis' have vibration and resonance, Do as I suggested, and live with it a while. You ears will tell you the truth. Do all of the fuses....I have my predictions......
mrdecibel
2,937 posts
 
I believe in fuses, but because you have a lot to change, this is what I recommend. Better fuses have superior electrical characteristics as well as superior mechanical characteristics ( ime ). Before spending any money, do this : Remove each fuse, 1 by 1, and wrap a bit of painters tape around the center glass ( no need to cover all of the glass, but be consistent with the amount of turns of the tape, for each fuse. Clean the glass of the fuse 1st with a dry lint free cloth before applying the tape. After application, wipe the ends of the fuses with a dry lint free cloth and re-insert them. If you hear a difference, two things are happening. I : the fuse is less resonant in it’s holder and 2 : the electrical connection between the fuse and the holder is now cleaner, just by the removal and the re-insertion. This is not a joke, I promise you. Enjoy !, and be well.
mrdecibel
2,937 posts
 
The truth is folks, fuses in general, are bad for sound. They limit current, and are a band aid for the purpose of the protection of gear. This is the fact. As theaudiotweak pointed out with transformers, they produce mechanical vibration ( and other things ). Take any amplifier design, and isolate the power transformer ( s ) from the chassis ( cork and rubber, a simple mouse pad ) can do wonders. I use sheets of Dynamat, if I have the room within the chassis, and it is incredible the cleanliness of the sound, with this one tweak. Of course, I dampen the entire chassis, including those horrible heat sinks, which ring like hell ( they all do ). Everything makes for sonic improvements, as I have done for myself, and many others. Doing and listening, is the only way to know. And back in the day, when components did not have IEC inlets, I replaced the cords ( soldered ) to better, heavier gauge cords by the big cable manufacturers ( Belden, Southwire, as examples ), and incredible sonic improvements, every time. If anyone opens their gear ( inclusive of fuse replacement ), I recommend to be careful, and hope you know what you are doing. I take zero responsibility ( if anything bad or dangerous is to happen ) for recommending these things to anyone who wants to tackle them. I have nothing more to say, at this point, on the fuse topic. Enjoy, and be well.
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