Fuses that matter.

Wow. 512 posts and counting and this is one of several "fuse" threads on a'gon. I installed my Hifi Supreme's in everything more than a year ago and have never looked back. Having too much fun to worry whether it's crazy. Maybe some day I'll get off my lazy butt and try the Quantum chips or the SR's.

I just replaced my Classe' 2200 with a CA-2300. I was using a Hifi Supreme in the 2200 to excellent effect, but the 2300 has a completely different topology and requires the following fuse type:

IEC time lag, high breaking capacity 12A 250V

I cannot find this type listed among the Supremes' offerings, nor from Synergistic Research. Does any audiophile company make an upgraded fuse to replace this? Any suggestions welcome.

Tbg,

That's good advice, but I remain a bit skeptical about sales people's expertise in this rather small niche of audiophilia. If anyone owns the new range of Classe amps and has installed a fuse upgrade, I'd love to hear about it. Classe has always discouraged fuse upgrades for reasons I have never fully understood.

Tbg, I had just learned the 12.5 was available...but the Time Lag terminology was throwing me off, Rodman99999.

Many thanks to both of you! This is great news.

I'll post the results of adding the Synergistic fuse once I install it and burn it in.

Houston...we have a problem. I was just told by the person in charge of tech support at Classe that he believes only one or two manufacturers inthe workd mae a fuse with the specs required by the CA-2300. He said it wasn't enough to just get a 12 amp small, slow blow fuse....that it had to be particular type of "breaking capacity." He said he was only aware of one manufacturer of this type of fuse: an outfit called "Littlefuse. " He predicted that I'd regularly blow my amps' fuse unless it were able to handle the amplifier's massive current intake. When the 2300 is fired up, it is known to dim house lights because of the rush of current. Think I may sit this round out...unless someone has tried this on their own 2300.

Sorry about the typographical errors.

Tbg,

The 2300 and the rest of the new line have received universally stellar reviews and are actually innovative in their design. It's quite possible that Hifi Tuning or Synergistic may one day create an upgrade of this type of fuse. They are continually expanding their selection.

Al,

I am no engineer, so I'm certain I poorly paraphrased the fellow at Classe' but he was quite concerned with the safety of using anything other than the Littelfuse fuse because of the extensively described measurements in the data sheet to which you are referring. I plan on forwarding the data sheet for the fuse in question to both Synergistic and Hifi Tuning. I agree that the response should be interesting. For anyone interested, the fuse is a 215 series 012 Littelfuse...12 amp slo blo 5x 22mm.

Al,

I really should refrain from posting after 11pm. My attention to detail declines markedly. Yes, I meant 5x20mm.

I'm just curious as to whether you think one should generally be concerned with the specs of after market fuses produced by reputable companies like Synergistic and Hifi Tuning? The Littelfuse for my amp costs a mere $1.67. Surely, we can't be talking about a product that is beyond Hifi and Synergistic's ability to re-produce, assuming there would be any profit in it for them.

Does the data sheet reveal anything to you that would indicate how it is "special" or "out of the ordinary?" I ask because you clearly know more about this technological data than I do.

Regards,

V.

Al,

That's quite a can of worms you just opened. ;-)

I have sent an email to the owner of Hifi Tuning. I'll post if I get a response.

V.

Turboglo,

I can't think of a single audio component I've ever owned or listened to that didn't sound better after a few days of continuous use. Witness how reviewers at shows who return to rooms usually notice improvements.

I agree that it may be counter intuitive to some and that the Hifi Tuning fuses require significant break in time. Too many audiophiles try out equipment like they choose their beer; quickly. However, the ears aren't the tongue and properly converting electricity into music is still a mysterious process.