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Question about suitable fuse metals

I've been wanting to experiment with audiophile fuses for a while but the cost and the concern of blowing one of these costly fuses has kept me from purchasing.  However, I read that solid slugs actually sound better than fuses and cost WAY less, so I purchased a 6" rod of 99.99 copper and, because I wasn't really thinking, also purchased another 6" rod of titanium.  I guess I was thinking of rhodium, palladium, or platinum, not titanium.   I had these cut down to 20mm and, so far have tried them in my amp, a Red Dragon S500, and my DAC, the Bel Canto 2.8, which I run direct without a preamp.   The titanium slug sounds pretty darn good in the DAC, noticeably better than the copper. I tried one in the amp as well and that combo did not work well at all.  The amp is doing better with the copper slug.  I looked up the electrical conductivity of titanium and found it is a rather poor conductor.  Is there any risk to the DAC using the titanium slug, given the poor electrial conductivity?  Thanks for any relevant input.

lcherepkai

Showing 4 responses by bigtwin

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,130 posts
 

@jasonbourne71 I suppose next you're going to tell me not to put nickles behind blown fuses in my main panel?  😂 

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,130 posts
 

Listening late at night always sounds better.   But the fuse was the cause?  Color me skeptical.  

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,130 posts
 

These are not my words, but they ring true to me:

"An AC line fuse on the primary side of the power transformer is not going to make any audible difference, since the AC will be stepped down, rectified and smoothed into DC, then regulated before it reaches any amplification circuitry."

And if that's not convincing, let's ask the experts at ARS.  Where all audiophiles turn for unbiased opinions (come on now, every now and then they get it right)

" I do not say that any so called audiophile fuses are any better, I will say that if the fuse is not used directly in the audio circuit path, (ie it is used in the incoming mains ac power) it is highly unlikely to have any audible improvement for even the most golden of golden ears and I would place some money on those bets any day of the week."

For what it's worth, I bought a high end fuse for my amp after reading about them on this very site.  And the difference in sound was absolutely zero.  The only sound I heard was my $150 flying out the window.  My ears not golden enough?  Maybe. There are just some things that defy logic, and this is one of them.  If you are hearing a difference, then that's all that matters.  Cheers.  

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,130 posts
 

This question / statement was put forward on another site.  The idea that replacing a fuse with solid metal, allowing unrestricted current which improves the sound, is based on a false premise because most transformer primary windings exhibit much higher resistance than the fuse?  This statement appears to make sense,  and yet people are claiming not just slight improvement,  but really noticeable improvement.   The company appears to be offering a generous return period.  If it's a 100% refund, no questions asked, there's little risk in trying.  As for having to buy additional cables, I would probably just buy two connectors and splice the box into my existing cables, if the product proved to be a keeper. Still not convinced but would be happy to read reports from members who have / do test the Swiss Fuse Box. 

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