fuses - the $39 ones or the 85 cent ones

The best advice so far is to get the cheapo fuses first to make there are no problems with amp. Then if you insert the uber fuse let us know the results.
What kind of fuses does the amp use? Doesn't Radio Shack carry them?

So Dave, are you saying the change was dramatic?

Personally I am more skeptical than most but if Dave_b is happy with his fuse experiment it sure as hell doesn't bother me. Does he believe he hears a difference? Yes.
Do I believe there is a difference? No.
Who's opinion matters? Pretty simple really.
Enjoy your $39 fuses Dave.
I'm happy with my system and am not ever going to spend my time trying to improve it with $39 fuses. The amount of time it would take to conduct the experiment is more than I care to invest. If I want to improve it I'll look elsewhere... new amp, new source, tweak the room treatments maybe.

I had T Rex "Electric Warrior" on 8-track. Unbelievable how many times that one looped.

Don't mention double blind tests as they are invalid tests for audio.

Tbg, wow, where did that come from? To paraphrase you, certainly you saying DBTs are invalid don't make it so. As Magfan asserts, conducting DBTs would be difficult with hifi but not impossible. Of the actual DBTs I've read about only ten percent or so have shown people hear a difference between the items under test. Those people who statistically show the ability to discern differences are usually practiced listeners. Which you probably are. But again the items under test were items that are accepted, even by most skeptics to have a difference.
IMO many of those people in the audio world who are dead set against DBT have something to lose. For instance, if I sold an item such as a battery operated clock and claimed that by placing the clock in your home your audio system would sound better I wouldn't want that subjected to a DBT.

My audio philosophy in a nut shell. Components sound different. Room treatments are the most significant tweak. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. We don't all have the same level of audio awareness. Audio DBT does not prove audible differences are there or not. They only prove the differences could or could not be detected under the test conditions.
Ok, so here's my problem with tweaks. If I set a can of Coca Cola on the table next to my listening chair it DOES affect the sound waves in the room. In some way it has to. Agree? Can I hear the difference? No I can't. Can you hear the difference? Maybe. Your sonic awareness may be that good. Can you prove it? I don't really care unless there is a wager involved. Guess which bet I'd take.
Ok so here's where I draw the line. There are people who not only claim they can hear a difference with that can of coke, they also claim they whether it was a can of coke or Pepsi! Not only do they hear a difference, they have a definite preference!!

I think many are really insincere in advocating it, in that they would not pay any attention unless it supported their belief that there are no differences.

Tbg, probably true in some cases, although I can't think what benefit there is to that way of thinking. How about if we turn it around like this; I think many are really insincere in advocating it is USELESS, in that they would not pay any attention unless it supported their belief that there ARE differences. For this line of thinking I can see benefits.

I'm not here to tell you your ears are wrong. I'm not here asking for proof of something that isn't provable either.

What I have a problem with are words such as "substantial" when describing different tweaks. If I were to hear a substantial difference I expect I could identify that difference. I have two pairs of speakers that are sometimes set up at the same time. I can tell from another room which speakers are playing because the difference in their sound is substantial.

As for your last sentence, if I responded sincerely this post would not get through.

Well I do prefer Coke to Pepsi. Remember the Pepsi challenge from years ago? Even though I have always preferred Coke when I took the challenge I thought the Pepsi was better.

Kind of like listening to a set of super detailed speakers recommended by Stereophile at a dealer. They sound wonderful in the shop. When you get them home you are amazed at how much more you're hearing. After running them in for a few months you realize they're driving you out of the room with harsh treble. Pretty soon you notice you are spending less time listening and don't miss it. Time to list them on Audiogon. Seriously, been there done that.

As far as DBT: What knowledge do have that either of the persons involved have any experience with live music, or any experience/training with regards to critical listening?

Rodman, the DBT was in reference to how fuses affect an amp's sonics. Please explain what live music listening experience has to do with noting a difference in amps with or without these fuses. I can understand where that experience would benefit if we were talking about comparing a jazz trio in the room with a recorded version of that jazz trio. Just not sure what relevance it has to do with the fuse discussion. Please enlighten me.

Rodman, I caught the part that it was only important to YOU. Just looking for some logic behind the concept. You may say listening to and feeling music is not logical and I would agree. But the reproduction of music through electronic media is entirely logical.
Coke and Pepsi was an analogy you seemed to miss.
BTW, look through your feedback. Do you remember me?

Dave_b, what do you mean when you say you elevated your sub? Did you place them on a pedestal/slab? If so what was the result. I'm considering placing mine on a pedestal to get it decoupled from the floor.

Thanks Dave, a project for this weekend.