To Fuse or Not to Fuse... That is the question!

Build or modify gear to be mains fuseless. Simply bypass the fuse using proper gauge and insulated wire and install a Eaton/Heinemann on/off circuit breaker switch. I use 14 gauge solid core copper wire from Neotech in the power supply of my builds. This arrangement sounds better based on my listening and past builds/mods.

In the rare instance of an electrical issue the unit shuts down. No poor sounding cheap fuse or even big dollar expensive fuse to replace. Sounds better and costs less. High quality circuit breaker on/off switches are not sonically perfect, but they are less of a sonic compromise than a fuses. 

I have tested building a tube preamp with these AC mains protection options.  

- no fuse, but a on/off breaker
- cheap fuse, no breaker 
- Furutech fuse, no breaker 

The breaker option sounded best and really does answer your question...at least in my 6sn7 based, tube rectified, voltage regulated preamp. Thus my earlier post.  Avoid the fuse folks.  I was taught this from the designer of Tube Research Labs amplifiers. Sadly Paul Of TRL passed away as he was a brilliant designer as well as a kind man. 

Tweaking and modifying plus the learning that comes with it is not for you Han_n. Some of us enjoy the process while others, like you, would not. People are different enjoying and being challenged by different things. I love DIY building and modifying as well as comparing the sonic results. What is tedious to one is relaxing and enjoyable to another.

Room acoustics are also important, but no more so than optimizing your gear and system to your own ears. They both work together...equally.

I love this quote from Michael Green taken from another thread here on Audiogon.  It applies to fuses and all things audio. 

“In regards to the variables and tuning, it’s nothing we should be even debating and once we get past the debating (talk) we will find ourselves in a new hobby of discovery. Discovery is the act of moving past assumptions. Discovery doesn’t have an ego to let go of that’s something we own ourselves. Something the variables have taught me is, I will always be the student. I might master a few things but I will never stop discovering more. “

I am also a music lover first with music playing at least 10 hours daily in our home! We attend many concerts and love searching for new artists we enjoy. All good. 

Wow! Sure....