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Fuses

I’ve read of views on whether amp fuses impart any sound quality or coloring. I had a recent experience that has made me re-think my views (fuses do not affect sound) and wondered if others had a similar experience. 
I have a Line Magnetic integrated amp. After heavy regular use for over 5 years, one day it just wouldn’t power up. After checking the power supply, I assumed it must be a blown fuse. I recalled that Line Magnetic sent with the amp two replacement fuses of the same type/quality that was pre-installed. I dug out one of them from storage, replaced the fuse and the amp powered up normally. 

What surprised and delighted me was the change in sound with the replacement fuse. Fuller bass, more detail and more warmth. I have rolled the tubes several times in the amp, and am attuned to the subtle changes that can make. Popping in a fresh fuse seems to have had a similar affect. And these appear to be cheap fuses, available for a few dollars at most. I don’t think I understand any of this. 
bmcbrad
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


Fine, I'm hoping what I’ve said helps others trying to do the same. As I've said it many times on Audiogon. 

Cheers George
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
I added the Jupiter bypass as an experiment to see if the more expensive caps make a difference, and they do.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What about this part george?

They do make a difference, he just suggest a single cap and continues to ask questions, look at what he wrote.

ALL question marks? NOT Statements.. He is ASKING if it might be better, or if it might change the timing.. I say use the same voltage and it won’t. :-)

There is more than one mad scientist around you know.

Regards
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


Well all I can say to you is, forest and trees, you can twist it to suit yourself, and that will be your problem then, and no one else’s.
tsushima1
1,165 posts
 
@georgehifi 

“ By-passing powersupply or voltage rail caps is a good idea, but it’s not a good idea to bypass caps that are in the signal path as they will have different time constants, and smear at frequencies where they are both doing work.
Alway use the best quality "single cap" in the signal path.”

If economical or physically practicable ^^^^ This ^^^^^ Is quite correct

 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,441 posts
 
Adding to the list of builders who do bypass caps in the signal path are deHavilland and Danny over at GR Research. Both are big advocates of bypassing with the right combo in signal positions. I agree 100% based on my builds and mods. It can work very well! It can also go south if not careful.
Certain combinations/brands work great together and some don’t. Only experience and trial and error prove this out. For example, Vcap Odams up to 2.2 uf or so combine wonderfully with Vcap Cutf .01uf caps. Magical combo really. I would not bypass larger cap values of say 12 - 100uf with a .01uf bypass cap. I think here you may get the “nervous” type of sound some refer to. Like most things audio this whole question of bypass caps in the signal path cannot be answered in one broad brush statement of never or always.
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