Isoclean fuses: definitely worth it


I just installed Isoclean fuses in my Naim CD5x and Nait5i. I sort of felt like I was going to the fringe by installing these but keep in mind they are right in the AC path so it made sense to me after installing a dedicated line and an "audiophile grade" AC receptacle.

I tried Buss ceramic fuses beforehand and they were just slightly better than stock.

The Isocleans, however, definitely provided a noticeable improvement over stock or Buss ceramics. In a nutshell: smoother treble, a touch more overall resolution (especially in the mids and treble) and elimination of a bit of grain and veiling. Polarity does matter. I checked a few times to verify but arrow down for my equipment was more natural (less bright) than arrow up. You may prefer the other polarity, of course. Note that they didn't affect rhythm as many products do (especially a lot of isolation devices) nor did they add any brightness (at least in the polarity I prefer).

They're not cheap for what they are ($25 per fuse) but the improvement was definitely worth $50 total investment to me.
greg7

Showing 5 responses by geoffkait

Tab110s - obviously you've never seen both the Hi Fi fuses and the Isocleans. They are a long long way from being alike.

Cheers
"...I feel sorry if in anyway I might have appear to have been dis-respectful in forcing my own opinion upon you. That's not my intention, but I do feel the way those Isoclean Chinamen price their products are bordering on dishonesty; or looking for fools..."

Thanks for not forcing your opinions on us. :-)
Inpepin - The objects fall with the same acceleration, not speed, professor. And the name is Galileo.

GK
Bob P. What Galileo showed was that all objects are affected equally by the "accelerating field" (gravity). This acceleration is independent of the height from which an object is dropped. So, It's acceleration, not speed, that is the whole point.

Cheers, Geoff K.