Reasonably Priced Fuse Upgrade for Magnepan 3.7?


Hey everyone,

I recently acquired some Magnepan 3.7 speakers and wanted to start tweaking them, so I ordered some Mundorf M-Resist Supreme 1.0 ohm Resistors for $23 each, but I can't seem to find any hifi fuses that are reasonable priced.  Seems like hifi fuses start around $100 each, I need 4 fuses, and I don't want to spend $400 on a whim.  Can anyone recommend some fuse upgrades that are reasonably priced, maybe around $20 each?

Looks like I need two 2.5A fuses and two 5A fuses, large size.  I'd prefer not to bypass the fuses, so let's not get into that debate here... =)

Thanks!
Chris
128x128cjwessing
I wasn't aware a fuse can be upgraded. It either conducts electricity and works to its rated amperage, voltage, slow/fast blow and so on or not. What is there to upgrade?
@georgehifi - " Better still, put some copper wire in place of your fuse and don’t overdrive your speaker, many speakers (even planers and ESL’s) don’t have fuses." Better yet(what I’ve always done with Maggies, while installing WBT 5 ways), unscrew the Magnepan input plate and just bypass all the fuse holders and jumper screw terminals. A simple procedure, that eliminates all the steel and crappy conductors/connections, in the signal path. Of course then, clean/adequate power and judicious volume control use, become hard and fast rules(as you mentioned).
Of the fifteen or so high end fuses listed on The Cable Company fuse page most are less than $50. We already know the new Gold and Silver cryod Brimar fuse is only $35. Come on, people, most high end fuses are not (rpt not) expensive. Let’s get real. Save the $2 off the shelf fuses for your boom box.
cjwessing
 I can't seem to find any hifi fuses that are reasonable priced. Seems like hifi fuses start around $100 each, I need 4 fuses, and I don't want to spend $400 on a whim. Can anyone recommend some fuse upgrades that are reasonably priced, maybe around $20 each?

If getting these, get ones that have a 30 day return, try them out, and compare them to good quality $2 industry fuses from here. 
https://www.digikey.com/products/en/circuit-protection/fuses/139?k=Glass%20Fuses

Better still, put some copper wire in place of your fuse and don't overdrive your speaker, many speakers (even planers and ESL's) don't have fuses. 

Cheers George
  
These are really inexpensive, but they do make a difference over your standard fuses.... Aucharm
I've never exchanged any big buck fuses in my system,  but I've tried a few of these and they were audible.  I've purchased for 2 different amps. 
No Need to worry about removing the fuses altogether which is what Ive vetted as safe. If you would like to see my videos of the Maggies at over 90Db with ribbon safe and sound feel free to check out the videos here

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiOmwLhAObKBHYlTfMAtHTw?sub_confirmation=1

@cjwessing, I would be happy to, but haven’t yet replaced the digital camera that some low-life stole out of my car. And I’m one of those Luddites that still doesn’t have a smart phone, still using a flip phone!

But there are pics of what you want to see in postings on the Planar Speaker Asylum. That’s where I learned of the ferrous parts, and installing Cardas binding posts (which I had already done on my power amps).

@cjwessing - I’ve always wondered about fancy fuses in speakers, though I’ve been using them in all my other components, for years(my Maggies always get bypassed). Please, come back and tell us how those worked out for you(any audible differences).

Before replacing the fuse, remove the metal rear panel and test all the parts on it’s back with a magnet. You will be surprised to find that Magnepan uses ferrous (steel!) parts. I found steel parts in both the fuse holder and the Magnepan speaker hook-up connectors. That imo is a much bigger deal than the fuse itself.

I disconnected the fuse holder---bypassing it, and replaced the Magnepan connectors with Cardas binding posts, which fit into the stock holes without modification. Maggie old-timers have done both for many years.

I tried Acme, AMR, and Synergistic Black albeit in different components. The biggest improvement along with the most organic sounding to me was the AMR. About 3 years ago they cost me I believe $20 each.

Good Luck
     LP
Try Brimar Audio fuses. They are $35 apiece and are very transparent to the sound. 

All the best,
Nonoise
I suppose I could use the 2A on the tweeter, but I don't see a good option for the 5A fuse?
You might find something applicable here: http://www.partsconnexion.com/fuse_hifituning_gold_main.html  For the money, you might try the 2A value on the tweeters, just to see if there's a discernible difference.