On/Off Switch

OP
If I were building an amp the power switch would be a concern. If I’m not building one, but buying one, altering it would be of no value to me. I mean, why? Why fix something that is not broken?

Manufactures decide on what kind, type, and level of power sw they will use in what ever amp they make.

I have not heard too many arguments on $10K or more priced amps power swituches being crap and needing replacement immediately or for that matter, at all..

I’ve owned mono tube amps that ran $7500 a pr. Which used a $1 toggle switch. They sounded fabulous.

The amps, not the switches. The switches just sounded like ‘click’. Louder if you really put a little something behind it when you flipped them on or off.

I made one alteration to those amps. Opened them up to allow the leads connected to the biasing pot to be extended outside the amp to by pass the on board meter so a better easier to see volt meter could be used when biasing or checking bias.

Furthermore, the ON/OFF sw of and by itself, makes no argument for or aginst power cords or for that matter any other connective cabling. To think so, is ludicrous.

The sonics of an amplifier do not hinge on the value of its power switch. There is far more to the amp than that.

Go read up on Shindo amps. $20K and up lower powered tube amps and see what kind of power sw is used. I’m certain it will open your eyes.

As well, not every ON/OFF sw is seeing full current or remains in the ckt at all times. Some do. Some do not. Relays are used to dispense power about the amp and are a part of many amps ‘soft start’ opwerational system.

I tend to think about the audio-nervosa minutia this way… of all the things one might do to improve the sound of an amp, is completely reworking the power switch the obvious path to follow given the amps already quite possible outstanding sonic results?

If one is thinking of how to improve the sound of an amp, maybe it is time to find another amp, well, if it is an SS amp.

Messing around there has never even crossed my mind, until a knife sw on a former preamp I bought here was broken off during shipping. What did I do? Sent it back to the maker to have the exact same switch put in place of the broken one. Problem solved. Results? Excellent. No further worries.

I’d worry about more tangible and meaningful areas to improve the presentation… not swapping out switches. But that’s just me.

Enjoy.

Nenon > my argument is that if a fuse makes a difference, why would not the switch make a difference too? And I am only referring to the on/off switches that are part of the voltage circuit...
I would like to know why.

Blindjim > short answer? The amps power supply.

The more entertaining and far longer answer…

It sure seems like you are doing your due diligence pondering this portion of the power ckt. I suppose you could micro manage it further if no upscale sw or IEC port, is found by having contacts plated with whatever, and or cryo treated.

It seems to me amps have addressed the power issues which could possibly stem from the use of a non descript run of the mill wiring and pwr sw in their power supply via filtering caps among whatever else in that section supporting signal processing.

As you said you altered these caps and realized a noticeable gain in performance, or at least liked what came from it.

Given that line of reasoning, do you feel backtracking to the IEC input and facilitating changes there is really necessary? It would seem an inconsequential effort as the power supply components were previously addressed.

I’ll use the refining crude oil into fuel analogy. Sounds like someone wants to use a better crude oil pipeline, or funnel in order to acquire a better octane..

In nearly any powered audio component, to improve upon its present performance (and this often occurs only in the middle area or below of audioland, not it upper tier or ultra high end ranges) the ‘POWER SUPPLY’ is where most every modder will begin snipping and soldering.

Why? Its where power line issues are getting the most attention. Some components even incorporate on board power line conditioning sections for their appliances.

Quick and easy remedy here? Think Bi Bee. Bus bars. Etc.

If access to these possible areas for alteration are easy to access, meaning the wires associated with the incoming power, power sw, and wires to the pwr sup, maybe merely adding a layer of shielding to the conductors would be a place to start experimenting. Albeit, I’d not suspect major gains there, I’d suspect a prevention of possible collateral interference from radiated energy ought be ameliorated at least with the addition of shielding.

To change these wires out entirely and as well shield them may yield a tad more change, but in both cases, wires and shielding wires, remember, the power sup is dealing with the incoming power already pretty well. Possibly as well as it is able in its current state, which btw, is its job.

Then too there is the aspect of metallurgy. Maybe the desired wires and or solder used don’t’ add up to a discernible end or even positive outcome.

Something tells me many amplifier makers have at some point gone down this rabbit hole in the past. Probably tons of them. What you see in their builds must be considered their best solution. And yeah, this means those amps that are put together by hand too.

I suppose one could do what all other makers do, and buy a uber expensive competitors product and do some reverse engineering or merely take a look see at how they’re keeping their portion of market share.

I’d try hard to have a talk with the maker of the amps design I’m following before fishing in that pond too long, or maybe, at all.

As for fuses making an audible positive gain in performance? Sure. Sure they do. Until I experience that one myself, my response will remain skeptical. As will which direction the thing gets inserted into its clips or fuse holder.

Buying some of these mystical magical one and done little ckt savers, will likely occur on a bet, or I’d not do it/them at all. At $50 or more ea. Goes a longer way towards media. Or a really, nice hat band, pocket watch fob, K cup assortment, etc..

Gotta go. Game 7!!!

Hope you find your pot of gold. Best regards…