fuses - the $39 ones or the 85 cent ones

I agree with Rocc1007

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/isoclean.htm

I just got confirmation that my 24 HiFi Tuning Fuses have been shipped.

I already have Isoclean fuses in my front end components and got a nice upgrade. It will be interesting to hear the effect of 24 HiFi Tuning brand going into my amps all at one time.

Pubul57

Of course, I have no idea of fuses making a difference in sound is or isn't grounded in sound engineering.

There is no free ride, a fuse represents a bottle neck in the otherwise fairly substantial network of electron flow that's necessary for the circuit to work.

Replacing the fuse with a solid piece of copper would be best, but I doubt your insurance provider would pay when you burned down the house.

Bottom line, if you can improve the "weakest link" by even a tiny amount, it can make a nice difference. The stock fuses work fine, provide equal protection as the expensive ones and are easy obtainable as well as being cheap.

Whatever the construction of ANY fuse, it contributes ever so slightly to the end sound. In some components and some systems the change will be small or inaudible. In other systems it can be enough that the end result is a very nice upgrade.

No, it's not like swapping speakers or even speaker cables. Even small improvements are hard won when a system has evolved over a long period of time, to the point that tiny tweaks become important to end result.

I'm making these statements based on experiences with Isoclean fuses, which I like very much. From what I've read, the Hi Fi Tuning Fuses should contribute equally to end results.

Jdec, I read your comments too. If this thread is still alive and kicking, I'll post results after I try them.

Ken Stevens is a quality and resolution freak, and his CAT gear proves he knows what he's doing.

I've owned amps that had only resistors and breakers (no fuses) but no way to compare to identical design with and without.

I've done my share of flipping over big amps and soldering resistors after a tube went bad, probably a better design than fuses but with my VTL's, there is no choice but replace fuses and I love the way they work with my speakers :^).

You're funny Dave_b but accurate about the 39 bucks.

I think the last time my wife and I grabbed Pizza and a couple of glasses of red wine it was closer to 50 bucks.

The next day the Pizza and wine were in a place no one wants to go, but the fuse would still be delivering (assuming) better sound.

I say grab a sandwich in the kitchen instead of your next meal out and go for the upgrade :^).

If one is going to replace their power cord and buy gold fuses, it seems that this is all for naught without replacing the Romex from the outlet to the panel.

By that logic, there should be no need for high quality copper wire and good parts when the utility company uses common aluminum for the high tension lines in the alley that supply our system.

You need to think about the fuse as the weak link in the AC chain rather than picking at the Romex or AC cable.

Yes, changing the Romex to 6, 9's large gauge copper would probably benefit the system but so does the AC cord and fuse, with or without the Romex swap.

When I raced cars there were people who argued that this cam and gear combo would not work and then got their ass beat at the end of the track. Sometimes you just have to get your hands dirty and try things to prove it works.

By the way, the word "Romex" is a brand name, like "Kleenex".

Everyone likes to talk about double blind audio, compared to clinical drug testing. The big difference, the drug effect is tested long term, not one pill one day and another pill the next.

Perhaps the reason Tbg and I are so against DBT is because humans don't work well in an environment of continually changing equipment. That's a poor way to decide about long term enjoyment and it's certainly no way to music.

What if you spent 10 minutes in your local classical music hall in a front row seat, then were moved to dress circle for 10 minutes then to the back of the hall for 10 minutes. How do you think you would describe the content of the performance that day?

Lets forget about this silly DBT stuff, it's outlawed over at Audio Asylum because it's invalid for deciding about music. That's one area where they are clearly superior to Audiogon.

So Timrhu, do I discern from your post that your a Coke fiend?

So Theaudiotweak, are you saying magnet non fuses are for the birds?

What about the bird's reaction to magnet fuses?

Dave_b, Did the rich Corinthian leather save your life?

Dave_b, if you don't mind, please comment on time required for burn in and where in your equipment chain the fuse went (CD, amp, etc).

Pubul57, I don't know about a $10.00 fuse, but for a it more than the regular glass ones you can go ceramic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fuses.jpg

Image does not necessarily relate to audio, just a way to show what the two types look like.

Tom, do the non fuse magnets provide protection?

ILS? Not understood.

I've had good results removing ferrous material near my equipment but it depends on the equipment and the situation.

What I'm saying, I don't doubt you got good results.

I hope you don't think I'm picking on you, I honestly do not know what the "non fuse magnets' are, or even how they work. Asking if they provide protection was because the description is "non fuse."

If it works for you and you're happy, it does not matter what anyone else thinks. Most of my equipment needs fuses because I run all tube. If a tube shorts out and there is no fuse, then something gets burned.

I suppose the next step will be radioactive fuses.

Excellent idea. Buy an old broken radio and install the radioactive fuse.

BINGO, the radio becomes active again and picks up everything.