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Isoclean fuses: definitely worth it

I just installed Isoclean fuses in my Naim CD5x and Nait5i. I sort of felt like I was going to the fringe by installing these but keep in mind they are right in the AC path so it made sense to me after installing a dedicated line and an "audiophile grade" AC receptacle.

I tried Buss ceramic fuses beforehand and they were just slightly better than stock.

The Isocleans, however, definitely provided a noticeable improvement over stock or Buss ceramics. In a nutshell: smoother treble, a touch more overall resolution (especially in the mids and treble) and elimination of a bit of grain and veiling. Polarity does matter. I checked a few times to verify but arrow down for my equipment was more natural (less bright) than arrow up. You may prefer the other polarity, of course. Note that they didn't affect rhythm as many products do (especially a lot of isolation devices) nor did they add any brightness (at least in the polarity I prefer).

They're not cheap for what they are ($25 per fuse) but the improvement was definitely worth $50 total investment to me.
greg7
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Willster, I have thus far ignored the notion of replacing the fuses each six months. I did replace one once and heard no difference. This would, of course, increase sales.

It is certainly possible the construction geometry may account for the directionality of fuses. I have many times identified what I am told is the proper direction for using IsoClean fuses, listened, and then reverse the direction and listened again. Each time the right direction sounded better. I have tried Hi-Fi Tuning fuses and found they also have direction but it is not consistent with any external indication on their fuses, such as printing.

There is one quick way to decide whether this should be of any concern to you, try reversing several of your fuses, one at a time. If you hear nothing,...

Milen007, I have only found amp manufacturers to strongly suggest using slow blow fuses as they have a strong turnon surge that might overheat a fast blow fuse and blow it.
davemitchell
253 posts
 
Bob P. If power doesn't flow in a particular direction then I should have no problem telling the Electric company that I will no longer be paying my bill. As a matter of fact, I think I'll start charging them!
willster
66 posts
 
Davemitchell: If I understand your comment (and I'm not altogether sure that I do) the fuse directionality issue has little to do with power. It is a matter of impedance.

For example, with capacitors constructed by rolling layers of film and foil together, if the lead attached to the outer foil is connected in the circuit to the lower impedance of the two possible connection points, it will be less susceptible to noise pickup.

If the fuses are indeed directional, it is likely due to some similar effect of their physical geometry.

However, I'm all for you selling the power company as much as you can manage. Go for it.
inpepinnovations
134 posts
 
Even if wire and fuses have directional properties, this would make a difference only in non directional current circuits, i.e., DC. In fact, capacitors and inductors only work in AC circuits. If the fuse has some capacitance or induction property inherent to it in addition to the resistance property that it might possess, the direction in which is is installed will not make any difference since the direction of the current changes continuously.

One consumes power in the devices at home due to current flowing back and forth through the devices.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Inpepinnovations: Good try.

GK
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