What is the science behind audiophile fuses?


There were many threads on the topic of "audiophile fuses" on this forum, and I sure don't want to open old wounds and trench warfare. The fuse on my preamp blew suddenly two days ago, which prompted me to search for a replacement. That's when I came across the term "audiophile fuse" and the fact that they demand far-out prices. Deeper curiosity brought me to several other fora, where users posted glowing praises about their Zero fuses and other exotica. Now I am a scientist, but not a physicist or electrical engineer: so please enlighten me! How can a fuse have an audible influence on the signal, when the signal does not even pass through it? How can a fuse be "directional" when it deals with alternate current? I mean, if I recall my university physics, a fuse is basically a safety valve and nothing more. Am I completely missing an important point here? My scientific field is drug discovery, and because of this background I am thoroughly familiar with the power and reality of the placebo effect. I that's what I am seeing here, or is it real physics? I need objective facts and not opinions, please. I really appreciate your help!

 
128x128reimarc

Showing 3 responses by kennyc

Unless we dissect then do a chemical analysis, we’ll never know the secret sauce to blow correctly AND sound better. I suspect a lot of trial with listening scrutiny before the fuses were brought to market. With SR fuses, and much steeper priced QSA fuses, I considering the Swiss Digital Fuse Box mentioned by a forum member

When I was a kid I remember people putting pennies in their fuse boxes....

I remember my parents doing that

My guess based on successful reports is that one would have to spend significantly more like for SR or QSA fuses to hear notable differences.

@ghdprentice 

Last time I remembered getting shocked was when adjusting the timing points on my distributor- many moons ago.  I’m thankful for circuit breakers - much safer. 
Which got me thinking, of all the innovations in my lifetime, I’m really glad for word processors - made many typewriter typos so correction take/fluid slowed things to a  crawl.  I wonder if the best innovation for my mom was the washing machine- I spotted an old scrub board when I was young.