We Need A Separate Forum for Fuses


LOL, I'll bet I gotcha on that Title! ;)  BTW, I put this thread under "Tech Talk" category as it involves the system physically, not tangentially. 

More seriously, two question survey:

1. Do you think designer fuses are A) a Gift to audiophiles, or B) Snake Oil 

2. Have you ever tried them?  Yes or No

In the tradition of such questions on Agon, I'll weigh in as we go along... 
Feel free to discuss and rant all you wish, but I would like to see clear answers to the questions. :) 
douglas_schroeder
I’m going to do something I don’t usually do and that’s help out the pseudo skeptics. There is such a thing as placebo effect, probably most applicable to medical applications rather than audio, but I give you that. There is such a thing as expectation bias, also. I’ll grant you that. And the variations like reverse expectation bias. However, those “psychological” effects can be relatively easily eliminated by careful testing. So, it’s illogical to use those effects to explain ALL positive results which is the standard pseudo skeptic line. i should also point out those “psychological effects” - placebo and expectation bias - are essentially tricks of the mind, or “psyching yourself out.” I.s., they are conscious effects!

As opposed to more interesting and more difficult to explain “psychological effects” evident in Peter Belt products like Silver Rainbow Foil and Cream Electret. Those two audio products operate on a different “psychological level” than placebo effect or expectation bias. They do affect the sound but not in the conventional sense, as they do not affect the audio signal anywhere, they are not dampers or RFI inhibitors, or have any affect on wiring or cabling anywhere in the room. Most importantly, the subconscious influence of the Peter Belt products, unlike placebo and expectation bias, can’t (repeat can’t) be eliminated by careful testing. They are subconscious and or physical. So they must be real. 
geoffkait
There is such a thing as placebo effect, probably most applicable to medical applications rather than audio, but I give you that. There is such a thing as expectation bias, also. I’ll grant you that ... those “psychological” effects can be relatively easily eliminated by careful testing
Absolutely 100 percent agreed. It is stunning that those who claim science is on their side don’t also agree.

So, it’s illogical to use those effects to explain ALL positive results which is the standard pseudo skeptic line.
It’s fair to question positive results. It’s even fair to question all of the positive results. But to reject all such reports based solely on belief and in the absence of any testing is just silly, and certainly not scientific. This is very basic science.
cleeds - It’s fair to question positive results.

Absolutely. This is why it behooves those who claim to hear an improvement when an ordinary fuse/wire is reversed to be honest with themselves and do a blind test (i.e. a test where ones ears are the only sensory organ involved). 👂


No, it does not behoove anyone to do any such thing. To behoove is to state that it is the responsibility or duty for a person to do something. That is flat out ridiculous on it's face.  No one owes you anything save for relating what they hear(d). 

If you doubt it, it is your responsibility to test it for yourself, which you consistently refuse to do. 

All the best,
Nonoise
cleeds - It’s fair to question positive results.
gdhal Absolutely. This is why it behooves those who claim to hear an improvement when an ordinary fuse/wire is reversed to be honest with themselves and do a blind test (i.e. a test where ones ears are the only sensory organ involved)
I think those reporting what they hear are being completely honest. They have no obligation to provide additional substantiation to you at all. You can continue to repeat your demands that others do such testing, but it's pretty clear they're not going to comply.  Of course, you're free to conduct your own tests. If you do, please share the protocol and results here. it could be part of what you call being honest.

There are those who think others "owe" them something. In your case, gdhal, you insist others owe you some kind of "proof" that you deem acceptable. It's odd that you think that way, rather than simply just use your judgment to dismiss claims you find dubious.