Another fuse change - actually, I'm working with the same same two HiFi Tuning Fuses in a different DAC, this time the Eastern Electric Minimax Tube DAC Supreme. The Border Patrol DAC SE responded readily to aftermarket fuses, and now the EE DAC has also responded readily to fuse change.
The results were once again not subtle, with such an easily discernible difference as to formulate a tentative conclusion that all DACs are sensitive to fuse changes, having tested a NOS DAC and an ESS Sabre laddered DAC. One or two more DACs chosen randomly and tested, and the conclusion will be well supported. I presume these findings will extend also to all other components, but with time I likely will have opportunity to explore that.
Again, this is only changing one fuse location to an aftermarket fuse. That's all it takes for me to hear the importance of fuses in altering sound.
If the results continue on this path it will become obvious that the audiophile has not achieved their best effort at SOTA sound if they ignore aftermarket fuses.