On/Off Switch

Unless it is a tube component, I like to treat things like a love light...

Turn it on


and leave it on

My previous post was totally tongue-in-cheek. Having some fun with the kind of responses that those of us who do hear differences with these kind of things often get.

toddverrone684 posts11-01-2017 1:56pmIt has actually been discussed on quite a few threads here and the best idea put forward and used by at least one amp manufacturer was to use a circuit breaker in place of the on/off switch and the fuse.

Interesting... Maybe I did not use the right keywords in my search as I could not find any relevant discussions. I will try again. Thanks, Todd.

tommylion208 posts11-01-2017 6:10pmMy previous post was totally tongue-in-cheek. Having some fun with the kind of responses that those of us who do hear differences with these kind of things often get.

You got me! :) 

Nenon > my argument is that if a fuse makes a difference, why would not the switch make a difference too? And I am only referring to the on/off switches that are part of the voltage circuit...
I would like to know why.

Blindjim > short answer? The amps power supply.

The more entertaining and far longer answer…

It sure seems like you are doing your due diligence pondering this portion of the power ckt. I suppose you could micro manage it further if no upscale sw or IEC port, is found by having contacts plated with whatever, and or cryo treated.

It seems to me amps have addressed the power issues which could possibly stem from the use of a non descript run of the mill wiring and pwr sw in their power supply via filtering caps among whatever else in that section supporting signal processing.

As you said you altered these caps and realized a noticeable gain in performance, or at least liked what came from it.

Given that line of reasoning, do you feel backtracking to the IEC input and facilitating changes there is really necessary? It would seem an inconsequential effort as the power supply components were previously addressed.

I’ll use the refining crude oil into fuel analogy. Sounds like someone wants to use a better crude oil pipeline, or funnel in order to acquire a better octane..

In nearly any powered audio component, to improve upon its present performance (and this often occurs only in the middle area or below of audioland, not it upper tier or ultra high end ranges) the ‘POWER SUPPLY’ is where most every modder will begin snipping and soldering.

Why? Its where power line issues are getting the most attention. Some components even incorporate on board power line conditioning sections for their appliances.

Quick and easy remedy here? Think Bi Bee. Bus bars. Etc.

If access to these possible areas for alteration are easy to access, meaning the wires associated with the incoming power, power sw, and wires to the pwr sup, maybe merely adding a layer of shielding to the conductors would be a place to start experimenting. Albeit, I’d not suspect major gains there, I’d suspect a prevention of possible collateral interference from radiated energy ought be ameliorated at least with the addition of shielding.

To change these wires out entirely and as well shield them may yield a tad more change, but in both cases, wires and shielding wires, remember, the power sup is dealing with the incoming power already pretty well. Possibly as well as it is able in its current state, which btw, is its job.

Then too there is the aspect of metallurgy. Maybe the desired wires and or solder used don’t’ add up to a discernible end or even positive outcome.

Something tells me many amplifier makers have at some point gone down this rabbit hole in the past. Probably tons of them. What you see in their builds must be considered their best solution. And yeah, this means those amps that are put together by hand too.

I suppose one could do what all other makers do, and buy a uber expensive competitors product and do some reverse engineering or merely take a look see at how they’re keeping their portion of market share.

I’d try hard to have a talk with the maker of the amps design I’m following before fishing in that pond too long, or maybe, at all.

As for fuses making an audible positive gain in performance? Sure. Sure they do. Until I experience that one myself, my response will remain skeptical. As will which direction the thing gets inserted into its clips or fuse holder.

Buying some of these mystical magical one and done little ckt savers, will likely occur on a bet, or I’d not do it/them at all. At $50 or more ea. Goes a longer way towards media. Or a really, nice hat band, pocket watch fob, K cup assortment, etc..

Gotta go. Game 7!!!

Hope you find your pot of gold. Best regards…