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Streamers and their Fuses

I purchased the Aurender W20SE back in August and ran it on the stock 5 cent generic 2 amp 5mmx20mm slow burn fuse in it’s FURUTECH FI-03 Rhodium plated IEC Inlet. It sounds amazing in stock form the last 3 months… But 3 weeks ago I decided to upgrade the fuse in the W20SE to the Magic Audio Masterpiece M-1. The difference is not subtle. It feels like the potential of the streamer is unlocked, the detail, clarity and richness of tonal transparency is entirely transformed. My goal in HiFi is always holographic imaging of accurate instrument separation, this was improved as well. It is such a startling discovery I cannot listen to my Jay’s Audio MK3-CDT3 CD transport anymore, whereas before the fuse upgrade the CD transport was clearly the higher quality sound reproduction.

 

Anyone else experienced shocking results from upgrading their streamer’s fuse? I’d love to hear your feedback. All I can say is after burning this Audio Magic m-1 masterpiece in for a week it’s the only fuse I’ll put in my HiFi gear from now on. The purple fuse from Synergistic Research was my previous go to, but the audio magic m-1 is far superior in every possible way imho. 😉

128x128brandonhifi
smatsui
166 posts
 

I’ve had my W20SE for about 1-1/2 years in my basement system and a Grimm Audio MU1 in my living room system.  I believe in the benefits of fuses but I’m surprised that it would benefit the sound quality of a W20SE due to its audio circuitry running off the internal batteries.  As mentioned, power cords don’t make much difference on the the W20SE so why would a fuse?  As I understand it, the incoming power is used to charge 1 of the 2 batteries.  One battery is always charging while the other battery is supplying power to the audio circuit.  

fastfreight
689 posts
 

Tonight I received and installed my new M1 Fuse in my MM Tambaqui DAC.

It sounds great right out of the box!  Recommended burn in time is 125 hours,

but already enjoying it!  It came within a week of ordering from the Cable Co.

brandonhifi's avatar
brandonhifi OP
69 posts
 

@fastfreight congratulations! incredible upgrade.

@smatsui i've thought about this too, why would a fuse affect a lifepo4 powered streamer, that level of understanding is beyond me as well, but I'm telling you, it does, and it's not subtle. There might be some power experts on here that could explain it.

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lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,108 posts
 

@brandonhifi 

A possible explanation would be, W20SE is not completely off the grid. Only its audio circuitry is being fueled by set of lifepo4 batteries. Hence the impact of a fuse and a PC is clearly audible through your fine system. Did you receive your PP Clock, what are your early impressions? 

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