Aftermarket Fuses


Can I set the ground rules up front?? I hope so. There are two camps. One who can hear different audible reproduction using aftermarket fuses. The second camp can not justify in theory, or can not hear a difference in fuses. Fine. I respect both camps. Can we hold this discussion to those who can hear an audible difference in fuses?? Can we? If so, what is your choice in aftermarket fuses and describe, please, what you hear.
imgoodwithtools
Post removed 
wolf_garcia Consider this: others objecting to what you call the hard sell of what you insist is nonsensical and inexplicable pseudo tweaks is tough on people like you who believe the industry suffers hyperbole fueled sales scams and fraudulent claims. I get that, and my sympathies go out to those who insist on telling others how they should hear things, because those fragile butterflies remain frightened of criticism by those who’ve actually had positive experiences with tweaks that allow them to hear new things. Regarding oregonpapa’s "10,000 to 1" comment, I understand you claim it’s a fact that MOST rational hifi geeks are too smart to explore the tweak world, and the ratio of those who insist their stock fuses work as well as what they imagine are premium "magic" junk (including the vast majority of brilliant audio component designers) is likely 1,000,000 to 1, so I'm not sure why you are so upset over what you call "junk." Clearly you need the attention.
Oh, geez, don’t tell me someone is actually trying to reason with Wolfie. He’s just playing his stupid game. Trying to reason with him as if he was a serious skeptic is a little bit like trying to pee up a rope. Just because he cast his bait doesn’t mean you have to bite.
Wolf
I have nothing against you personally whatsoever or indeed anybody on these forums, we are all just keyboard warriors in that aspect.
However I do take umbrage at your constant statements that just because you do not hear a difference and think it is mumbo jumbo then EVERYBODY else who can must be deranged or self deluded.
THAT is an insult, period.
At least that is the way I see it.
But insult away, I KNOW what I hear and my arm was not twisted by anybody, nobody is paying me to say a fuse makes a sonic difference to my ears in my rig in my house.
In my life I have wasted considerably more than $150 on items that did not work or other reasons.
With a 30 day money back I had nothing to lose.
What is the problem?
Objecting to the hard sell of nonsensical and inexplicable pseudo tweaks is tough on people who have bought into the hyperbole fueled sales scams and fraudulent claims. I get that, and my sympathies go out to those who rely on others to tell them how they should hear things, and those fragile butterflies who remain frightened of criticism of the often expensive tweaks that allow them to imagine they can hear new things. Regarding oregonpapa’s "10,000 to 1" comment, it’s a fact that MOST rational hifi geeks are too smart to be lured into the fake tweak world, and the ratio of those who know their stock fuses work as well as premium "magic" junk (including the vast majority of brilliant audio component designers) is likely 1,000,000 to 1. Also it’s interesting that Kaitty claims to not actually use "special" or any other fuses in his walkman/headphone rig, he simply joins the conversation hoping somebody will buy his closet full of magic pebbles and his claim of being an "industry insider"...he clearly needs the attention.
@jafreeman really, wtf?
Wolf isn’t calling you or anyone else names (well ok, maybe Geoff sometimes), so why resort to that? He is consistent in his opinions and provides another side to the discussion.

There are many of us here with pretty good systems that simply do not buy into the whole fuse (or cable) thing. Over the past 20+ years here, people have gone on about the phenomenal system improvements they achieve every time they change fuses or cables. After 20 years of phenomenal improvements, those people must have the musicians sitting in their laps by now.

I have had much better success upgrading components than spending a bunch of time, energy and money on cables or fuses. In fact, my amps, preamp, server, and DAC have all received upgrades by their respective manufacturers as new technology became available. Those component upgrades provided vastly greater system improvements to my ears than any cable or fuse change I have made. My main goal with cables is to not screw up the sound, which I find to be somewhat proportional to the amount of man-made materials in the cable dielectrics and coverings.

@oregonpapa
Nobody ever became a multi-billionaire by selling fuses. Audio Magic took standard glass fuses, drilled tiny holes in them and pumped them full of beeswax. I doubt there are any multi-billionaires over there.

These cable/fuse threads are mostly slow train wrecks where the amusement factor far outweighs the technical value. How many times can someone stand to be told what they should be hearing? It would be nice if the folks sharing these opinions (some with over 10K posts, hint, hint) would take the time to post their systems, which would provide context to their comments. Kudos to you Frank and Joe for doing a nice job of posting your systems.
This is getting old Synergistic blue is the best very open and dynamic.What fuses do you have tool guy????
^^^ Couldn't agree more. Same for a few other's who continue stirring the pot with nonsense and personal attacks. I know I sound like a broken record, but these few naysayers are destroyers of joy in the world. Imagine being married to one of them. 

Frank
Wolf--you are an extremely UNCOOL PERSON for what you've done to ruin threads and should never be listened to.   
imgoodwithtools ...

I think the ratio of those who can hear the difference in good aftermarket fuses and those who cannot are about 10,000 to 1.  

The REF-6 is an amazing piece. If the VTL is better, it must be super amazing too. Just think how it would sound with an SR Blue fuse in it ... or an Omega E Mat under it. 

I'm curious ... you say the VTL is better in the highs. What connotes "better" in your opinion? Is the overall clarity and realism better as well? If so, that's really saying something. 

Take care ...

Frank
About 9 months ago, I was trying to optimize the performance of an Audio Research Reference 6 preamp which was feeding a D'Agostino S-250 amplifier, a particularly synergistic pairing. I tried both the Synergistic Research Black and Blue fuses in the Ref 6, and found both to improve the system sound. I had even purchased two more aftermarket fuses and intended to do a "fuse shoot-out". But somewhere in there, I bought a VTL TL-7.5 III, which with the right tubes in place, overshadowed the Ref 6, especially in the highs. I sold the Ref 6 and haven't revisited aftermarket fuses since. But put me in the camp that believes fuses can change and improve the sound of a system. I've heard it.
Hmmmm, what’s it called when fishermen put something in the water to attract sharks? oh, yeah, chumming.
As the OP, I am truly disappointed. Has Anyone Read The Post? I had hoped this could be a discussion about "This is what I hear if I put Fuse A into Component B." There are enough threads on Audiogon that discuss whether there is any merit to aftermarket fuses, or if they are complete snake oil. GRrrr.
shadorne sez ...

  • "Just a smidgen of ethics would hold most people back from actively promoting and helping others make money off of a scam. But obviously you wouldn’t understand what that is."

Now THAT’S gratitude for ya. Here I am trying to give you an avenue to become a multi-billionaire, and you puke out a personal attack. What’s up with that, shadorne?

By your own admission, there are ten-cent fuses available that sound just as good as the after market fuses. Member "pbnaqudio" has done extensive research scouting out a source for the basic tools ... the fuses and the coloring method ... and you respond with a personal attack? Boy, talk about a non-appreciative individual.

Come on, shadorne ... order the fuses in the 5000 discounted lot, color them purple, put a free ad on Craig’s List ... and let the big bucks roll in.

Was it you who was contemplating using "Total Contact" to tighten your sphincter? Obviously, based upon your last post, which was a personal attack on my ethics as a human being, you have tried the sphincter experiment. How’s it working out for you? Has it improved your social life around the bar scene lately?

Step up to the plate, shadorne. Buy the fuses, color them, run the ads, make billions, or forever be exposed as the phony that you and your inane posts really are.

Frank

Who the heck and probably more importantly WHY the heck was this old argument that can never be won by ANYBODY here even if you cast the enormous egos out resurrected?
PLEASE give us all a break!

I am going to go play music, with my fuses, warts and all....
Of course a Littelfuse or any other cheap stock fuse will work. But this is not about fuses working. It’s about sound quality. The Littelfuse argument makes about as much sense as saying  a boom box works. Sure, a boom box works and you might be able to live with it, but come on!
shadorne"Just a smidgen of ethics would hold most people back from actively promoting and helping others make money off of a scam."

How can you devote such frequent, focussed and relentless energy objecting to these alleged "scams" and racketeers as audiophiles are supposedly fleeced by the thousands yet not take decisive action to end this claimed horrific violation of the most basic consumer laws? Why don't you get yourself a competent attorney who will accept your complaint and action on a contingency basis and sue these fraudsters for once and for all and drive a nail in the coffin of snakeoil! You almost certainly can be granted Class Action status which would yield you upon victory riches that are probably beyond your wildest imagination and if you are already wealthy imagine how you could help others with this newfound pot of wealth! There is no downside for you, no risk and no chance of loss and since you are so sure of yourself and you're closely held convictions it should be easy.  You continue to post hear regularly about this gross miscarriage of justice that you call this matter so why not take positive, decisive, formal action rather than continue to just object, complain and accuse?

Is it because you know that the snakeoil that you allege is not snakeoil at all and that you have no proof against it because that it was it appears to be.
🐑
mapman

Geoffkait: Is it just me or does the pro audio and the audio industry in general seem to be very slow?

GK once again, as pretty much always, you’ve clearly demonstrated its definitely you.

>>>>The Amish still have you under their spell, Moops. When are you going to stop following the wrong sheep?
uh, shadorne, methinks you need to raise the level of your game. You appear to be completely out of ammo.
@oreganopoop


Just a smidgen of ethics would hold most people back from actively promoting and helping others make money off of a scam. But obviously you wouldn’t understand what that is.

pbnaqudio

Thanks for the fuse link. Hopefully, Wolf_Garcia, slaw and other naysayers will link onto it and make a fortune. Hey, considering the bulk discount if one were to buy a lot of 5000 fuses, paint them blue, then re-market them for $150 a pop, there’s almost a $750,000 profit to be made here. Come on naysayers jump on the snake oil bandwagon. Join the get rich conga line.

What’s holding you back????

Frank


Is it just me or does the pro audio and the audio industry in general seem to be very slow?


GK once again, as pretty much always,  you've clearly demonstrated its definitely you.
Frank,

I buy my fuses from Mouser Electronics and only use the ones form reputable manufactures like Little Fuse - and they mostly come in 100 Qty packs - the Amazon ink was to make it more accessible to end users.  Pricing by the way is pretty good from Amazon.

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/0326010HXP?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtxU2g%2f1juGqbdCHRI5TALuzkWs...

Good Listening

Peter


And that's about as accurate  as your impressions when you listen to your aftermarket fuses goofykaty
pbnaudio ...

Hey ... !!! The site you provided is selling a five-pack of fuses for just under nine bucks. What’s up with these profiteering, capitalistic, piggish slugs? Haven’t they heard of "Economic Justice," or "Leveling the Playing Field?" How are "those who work for a living" going to afford fuses at over a dollar a pop?

You can do better, pbnaudio. There have been several members here on these sites who have sworn up and down that great fuses are available for twenty-cents that will do what the after market fuses will do ... and anyone who pays more is an utter fool.

Frank
@geoffkait why do you say that about wolf? He doesn't sound nearly as dumb as you do.
Wolfie, if you’re pretending to be dumb you’re doing an excellent job.
To clarify Kaitty’s insider claims, I was wrong...it wasn’t an imaginary conference call, it was an imaginary online thing...Kaitty said: "I was in an online conference two days ago with principals of HiFi Tuning and Synergistic Research and a dealer for both." From the Blue Fuse thread...it wasn’t a 2 day thing...I stand corrected except for the part that this sort of thing among competitors never actually happens in the business world. Also, the reason I don't make up nonsense and market it is simply because that would be unethical and perhaps criminal, neither of which I find particularly appealing.
@clearthink The fuse "companies "would probably send Geoffkait  out to whack us if we did that!

 Or at minimum to talk to us until we drowned in his BS LOL 
@pbnaudio beautiful! 

@geoffkait  maybe pro audio is slower to take on this stuff because they actually, usually, have a basic understanding of how this stuff works. It's harder  to get them to believe in magic fairy dust. 
wolf_garcia"to profit from "magic tweaks" you really need to engage a cadre of enthusiastic sales people armed with hyperbole to push a product that is immune to objective criticism ("I don't know HOW it works, but it transforms your system and has a 30 day return policy"), and banter about it ad nauseam in a discussion forum to lure otherwise naive, gullible,  or insecure audio fans. That's how you do it."

There is an honest way you could achieve incredible fame and fortune based on your beliefs this is especially true if you live in the US! Just get a lawyer and sue you can do this under your countries' RICO statute which I understand is used for just this sort of organized crime and you could also apply and almost certainly be granted Class Action status which would then allow you to collect a share from those many audiophiles who you think have been "fleeced" as you Americans like to say and you would be wealthy beyond you're wildest dreams for the rest of your life! There is no downside for you and there is no risk because in America you can get lawyer's on "contingency" because they will also share in the profits once you expose this hideous, vile and predatory practice on audiophiles and since you are so sure of yourself and you're believes it should be easy and I have offered this opportunity previously to several users and am simply confused that none have followed this path yet they continue to post hear regularly about this gross miscarriage of justice that they call this matter!
 Wolf and myself are much too honest.   I couldn't sleep at night  if I did that 
Is it just me or does the pro audio and the audio industry in general seem to be very slow? Slow to understand the significance of a lot of the things that are obviously high end audio things. But still, you’d think they would be motivated by something or another to look into some of these things. But maybe I’m giving them too much credit. Prolly just ego.

The pbnaudio post that just preceded me is a prime example of what I mean. 😛
wolf ...

Your criticism has been anything but "objective."  With your over the top, hyperbolic negativism, you would be a multi-billionaire not overnight. Nope, you'd be there in mere seconds.

Come on big boy ... buy 10,000 fifty cent fuses, paint them blue, put a price tag on them of $150 bucks, then just sit back and watch the big buck roll in.

What's holding you back?

Frank
Not overnight...to profit from "magic tweaks" you really need to engage a cadre of enthusiastic sales people armed with hyperbole to push a product that is immune to objective criticism ("I don't know HOW it works, but it transforms your system and has a 30 day return policy"), and banter about it ad nauseam in a discussion forum to lure otherwise naive, gullible,  or insecure audio fans. That's how you do it.
^^^

Racketeers? Easy to make? Just a change in colors? Five bucks to make and then sell them for $150.00? Hey, if all of this is true, what's keeping you naysayers from entering the fuse market? Just think, you could all be multi-billionaires over night. 

Frank
Finally, one of the pseudo skeptics understands how big, how global and how coordinated the fuse conspiracy is. Shadorne is a genius. 
@analogluvr 

+1 Racketeers - especially true since they work as a team with multiple accounts all pushing the same junk.
 Think about it it's a brilliant racket! I think I have about 20 fuses in my system, at 150 a pop that  works out to $3000 plus tax, then you buy them three times when they change the magic colours so you spent almost $10,000!  Meanwhile they probably cost five dollars to make. A wire with some end caps and some magic fairy dust in it and boom, Bob's your uncle!
^^^ So now that everything worth while has been invented, with nothing more to be gleaned from the fertile minds of Americans, can we now shut down the U.S. Patent Office? 

Tesla is turning over in his grave. 

Frank
@mapman

+1 Agreed. He and oregondad could win a Lewis Carol contest for nonsense. They both claim miraculous voodoo vorpal sword products with wonderous properties to slay the frumious bandersnatch that haunts the mimsy borogroves, who gyre and gimble at the mere thought of the terrible afflictions their audio setup supposedly suffers. Like Whac-A-Mole, you can never win against any of these audio system afflications as there is always a greater nirvana just around the corner with yet another “tweak”, more break-in or simply multiple purchases of the same tweak plastered all the way to your fuse box and ideally every single surface of your home and every orifice (and yet it would still not be enough as the blue one is an improvement on the red one which is an improvement on the gold one and silver one....




Gk is the poster boy for aftermarket fuses here.   That is based on his # of posts on the subject not anything of particular consequence in them.
Wolfie, would I kid you? Two day conference calls? Are you on crack? I’m a trusted person, and an audio insider. Consequently, no problemo.
Businesses don't do 2 day conference calls with competing businesses where thy discuss sales, and geoffkait's imagined "industry insider" status is laughable. Consequently his sales figures are merely a product of his fertile (or fertilized) addled brain. Regardless of all that, most sane audiophiles ignore useless and inexplicable tweaks like magic magnetized placemats and fancy overpriced fuses because they're not idiots or sheep.
The 70,000 was actually from a few months ago. You know, when I was in a conference call with the primary manufacturers. Would you believe audiophiles just keep buying them? They can’t seem to get enough. Gotta be up to 80,000 by now. Is it just me or does analoglover have a bad case of the 🍑 ?
If the Synergistic Research Blue Fuses are snake oil, would someone please bring me more snakes??

Thanks ...

Frank