My posts concern testing & evaluation, not the efficacy of fuses or other tweaks.
Fuses
I’ve read of views on whether amp fuses impart any sound quality or coloring. I had a recent experience that has made me re-think my views (fuses do not affect sound) and wondered if others had a similar experience.
I have a Line Magnetic integrated amp. After heavy regular use for over 5 years, one day it just wouldn’t power up. After checking the power supply, I assumed it must be a blown fuse. I recalled that Line Magnetic sent with the amp two replacement fuses of the same type/quality that was pre-installed. I dug out one of them from storage, replaced the fuse and the amp powered up normally.
What surprised and delighted me was the change in sound with the replacement fuse. Fuller bass, more detail and more warmth. I have rolled the tubes several times in the amp, and am attuned to the subtle changes that can make. Popping in a fresh fuse seems to have had a similar affect. And these appear to be cheap fuses, available for a few dollars at most. I don’t think I understand any of this.
I have a Line Magnetic integrated amp. After heavy regular use for over 5 years, one day it just wouldn’t power up. After checking the power supply, I assumed it must be a blown fuse. I recalled that Line Magnetic sent with the amp two replacement fuses of the same type/quality that was pre-installed. I dug out one of them from storage, replaced the fuse and the amp powered up normally.
What surprised and delighted me was the change in sound with the replacement fuse. Fuller bass, more detail and more warmth. I have rolled the tubes several times in the amp, and am attuned to the subtle changes that can make. Popping in a fresh fuse seems to have had a similar affect. And these appear to be cheap fuses, available for a few dollars at most. I don’t think I understand any of this.
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Just based on a preponderance of the testimonials the fuses may be exerting some effect. But, Millercarbon, your “test” as you describe it, is biased, and its reliability does not rise above the testimonial. For example, the FDA would never approve a drug based in a bunch of testimonials. Finally, if a consumer pays several hundred dollars for a tweak, and it has no effect, then consumer would either have to seek a refund or tolerate a noxious cognitive dissonance. The brain may take a third path, the path of least resistance, that is, to believe in the tweek. |
When you plug it in and try it out, that is a test. When the tweak works, it is proven. All the more so when it has been proven to work over and over again with hundreds and thousands of people across a wide range of systems. Fuses are tested and proven to work. An analogy: despite an apparent lack of experience some people nevertheless opine. That doesn't mean their opinions are tested or proven true. |
Mijostyn is correct to the extent that no tests of these things, to my knowledge, are ever undertaken. However, some people have fun, experience pleasure employing expensive, unproven tweaks. To each his own. An anology: despite an apparent lack of rigorous listening tests, we all know that there is a meaningful difference in SQ between tube and solid state amplification. (I know the differences in harmonic distortion can be measured.) |
Breaking news ... oldhvymec is to feature in the latest DC comics movie as ‘ Audio Man ‘ he has the ability to hear through time ... he can even identify that Queen Elizabeth the 1st wore wooden dentures. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My original got disappeared, imagine that.. As if the Queen would wear wooden dentures. BUT I could tell the difference between wooden and porcelain, choppers. Jealousy always did bring unkind words. he art of listening and I was paid for it.. 45+ years.. Heavy Duty Master Mechanic Retired. OE, Teamsters and IMA(S)W. No Regards |
Brad, it is very easy to fall for this. I think most of us have at one time or another. Many here obviously still do. You can not evaluate sound quality this way as your own internal biases can affect the outcome even when you are sure they can't. In short, you can remember what you heard but you can't remember what you heard sounded like even if you attempt to characterize it. It is impossible, none of us can because out brains are not wired to do this. People are dead certain there heard a difference which births the mythology and an industry base on psychological deception. I don't believe I've ever read where someone practically commands another to not hear something and to only believe what he tells them. Amazing. All the best, Nonoise |
The Fuse To my ears a simple fuse can make a difference , but does the difference justify the cost ? I found going from a glass fuse to a ceramic one is an improvment the I highly recommend , when I purchased a Furutech fuse ( for 1/2 price ) I did hear a slight improvment but the wallet questions $2 verse $35 . I use Bussmann fuse for the other 6 I'm the amp and 2 in my phono preamp' power supply . I am going to try 2 gold HiFi tuning in my amp because they are on sale for only $13.00 and maybe my phono preamp power supply . So open your wallet an try what you are willing to spend . |
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Breaking news ... oldhvymec is to feature in the latest DC comics movie as ‘ Audio Man ‘ he has the ability to hear through time ... he can even identify that Queen Elizabeth the 1st wore wooden dentures. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The difference is tomorrow I'll wake up a nice guy with a good memory. Unlike YOU who will still be an A$$HOLE and continue to be one. Insulting others is not a very nice thing to do.. Seems to be the way things are with you. How many littles pearls of wisdom did you offer up other than the normal insults, along with a good supply of just plain stupid.. Mind your own business. Let me make it real plain to YOU, You're not welcome, learn some manners using my name in reference to anything.. Rude MF |
Whatever you do, do not ever trust your own ears. Your ears and your brain are liars. Our auditory memory is so horribly awful that no one can ever remember how music sounds. I honestly don’t understand how professional musicians can play or sing the same songs perfectly from memory every single time. It must be voodoo. |
Also if you have a HiFi Supreme copper fuse, you can drill a small hole into one of the end caps, and fill it with the oil mix as well, and solder the end cap to seal it. The Supreme copper, has zero dampening inside the fuse, unlike the Supreme SilverGold. Copper is just a bare wire soldered on both ends, the tube is empty. SilverGold has a plastic tube around the filament. I found this out the hard way, sometimes you have to tear open things to find out how they work....chalk it up to experience. |
well technically not my own, like from scratch. Aucharm fuses from China are 2 dollars a pop. I use them for my amp... The easiest thing to do is buy double than what you need, break half of them, and save the end caps. Take the other half, and carefully use wire strippers or another cutting instrument and remove the caps off the end. They are not very thick... Ditch the cut caps, fill the cylinder with the sio2/oil mixture, a syringe works best. Let cap on one side dry and harden before filling with oil, and sealing the other cap. The aucharm fuses have snap holders on each end, so the wire is not soldered, the caps press down on these inserts and make a connection with the fuse wire. The wire on these fuses is a Silver Alloy, and sounds fantastic. Caps are pure copper, Gold plated. For my DAC I bought a Gustard fuse (5x20) from aliexpress, and after the oil treatment, it sounds better than an SR Orange/ All the Hifi Supremes, and on par with Audiomagic wax fuses. I think materials definitely play a part in the sound fuses impart on playback, but the biggest change comes from thermal management, and filament dampening. The SIO2/Mineral oil mixture provides both . It’s worth a try, you might be surprised how well it works. |
And how do you connect the fuse wire to the end cap? Make your own? <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You can not evaluate sound quality this way as your own internal biases can affect the outcome even when you are sure they can’t. In short, you can remember what you heard but you can’t remember what you heard sounded like even if you attempt to characterize it. It is impossible, none of us can because out brains are not wired to do this. People are dead certain there heard a difference which births the mythology and an industry base on psychological deception. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not only can I remember, I can remember over years and years. I just contacted a buddy of mine I hadn’t spoke to in 35 years. He new exactly who I was and I knew his voice and the change in his voice from wearing dentures as well.. How’s that for being able to remember sound. People who are trained in the art of listening have to remember sounds and how to identify sound when there is all kinds of other noises also.. You have to listen through the noise to get to the sound grasshopper.. Regards |
I make my own fuses, that compete with all the 250 dollar ones,
with exotic
waxes and stuff. if you remove the caps off a fuse, pour out the sand in the cylinders.... and then fill the fuses with a a Silicon Dioxide/Mineral Oil mix, lab grade sio2 is a fine powder and it make a liquid paste when mixed with the oil. Seal it back up with an oil resistant epoxy. Distortion with a fuse like this is practically nonexistent. Excellent clarity/resolution. Really nice liquid highs, and expressive voices that sound live. Cost me about 4 dollars a fuse to make my batches. so about 40 dollars for 10 of them. |
A QSA fuse review link: Quantum Science Audio series Fuses QRA website: https://quantum-science-audio.com/ |
“…it is very easy to fall for this. I think most of us have at one time or another. Many here obviously still do. You can not evaluate sound quality this way as your own internal biases can affect the outcome even when you are sure they can’t. In short, you can remember what you heard but you can’t remember what you heard sounded like even if you attempt to characterize it. It is impossible, none of us can because out brains are not wired to do this. People are dead certain there heard a difference which births the mythology and an industry base on psychological deception.” And you “know” this how? What a load of manure. You’re basically saying that everyone who evaluates the sonic impact of something in a different way than you do is delusional and/or being deceived. |
bmcbrad, nice bike! Brad, it is very easy to fall for this. I think most of us have at one time or another. Many here obviously still do. You can not evaluate sound quality this way as your own internal biases can affect the outcome even when you are sure they can't. In short, you can remember what you heard but you can't remember what you heard sounded like even if you attempt to characterize it. It is impossible, none of us can because out brains are not wired to do this. People are dead certain there heard a difference which births the mythology and an industry base on psychological deception. To do this correctly you have to go switch back and forth between the two possibilities. When you do this you will realize you can not hear a difference. Since this is difficult to do under most instances without special equipment it is hardly if ever done. The reviewer's certainly won't. That would be like politicians voting in term limits. Your initial instinct was correct. Stick with it. |
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Actually more like "Purple Haze" : ) Purple haze, all in my brain |
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This is for sure a high quality fuse can improve the musicality of your system ,the latest Synergistic research purple fuse I have been told by several that have the 🍊 fuse it is much better, I currently have the Orange fuses but my Coda CSIB integrated takes 2-16 amp T fuses that’s $400 and I just bought these 5 months ago , maybe I will sell them and try the purple since they have a 30 day money back guarantee. |