@carlsbad2 when you refer to slugs what exactly are they, do you make your own or where do you get them? Curious minds want to know
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!
Showing 7 responses by tksteingraber
@carlsbad2 Thanks for the reply…got that was looking more for what you are using for slugs. How to buy or make them? Metal type etc. |
@tonywinga Picked up an Amazon 3/8” (5mm) x 12” 99.9 pure copper rod a few days ago. Cut to 20 mm lengths, cleaned them up and took the plunge. Wow is all I have say…every aspect of the music Is improved over my audio fuses. Risk yes but low in my mind. I have never had a component fuse blow. All components plugged into protected power conditioners. I Make sure they are only powered up when I am using and I unplug them during any rare power outages as a backup. Waiting for a higher grade conductivity copper slug to compare with these once it arrives. 🤞🤞 SD fuse box does seem like a nice insurance for more expensive or rare components which doesn’t really apply to me. 🤔 |
My experience using Sluggo’s is that they are similar to tubes or cables. Each metal has it’s own sound signature. Copper warmer, silver more detailed and revealing, silver/rhodium hollow in between. But the graphene/copper slug was another “Oh My” moment and made the biggest improvement in SQ. Sluggos take many hours to break in and as crazy as this sounds some sound different if you switch their direction after break in. I am somewhat in Carlsbad2 camp where I only use the SDFB for my tube components with rectifiers. All other components with power input fuses I use sluggs without protection. I feel the very low risk of failure and the cost to repair the component is cheaper than buying more SDFB’s. I have never had a power input fuse blow just internal fuses protecting rectifier failures. Some are connecting a single SDFB to a splitter or outlet box and plug in multiple components with the same amp rating to avoid buying a SDFB’s for each component. Not sure of the science to it all but Sluggos do make a noticeable difference in SQ. |
@mitch2 I don’t know if you have seen the inside of a SDFB but I added a photo of one on my systems page to view. Thought it might be of interest to folks. I have trouble posting pics on forum threads…😩 |