fuses - the $39 ones or the 85 cent ones

Musicnoise, your theory does not apply here in highend audio.
The only explanation is what you hear with your own ears!!
Whether it can be explained scientifically, mathematically or otherwise means nothing if you can't hear a difference with your own ears. The proof of science cannot change my hearing!! or what I percieve I hear.

Undertow, I wasn't aware that Krell went out of business. Where did you get this information?

I tried some of the premium fuses in my Accustic Arts transport and DAC (not tried them in pres or amps) and I cannot tell the difference, but I'm 50; maybe one needs to be younger. All the same, they seem well made as far as fuses are concerned, but I'll be sticking to sand filled ceramic types from Roger Modjeski, not that I can hear a difference, but for $3 I don't care (as much).

Audphile1
a couple months ago there was an article and a couple of threads on Krell finally going out... They might be still operational, I don't know, maybe somebody saved them with a checkbook, again I don't know.

Musicnoise
Gold end caps have nothing to do with it, it is the better element and vibration control inside not limiting the current or something like that which matters in this case I would assume...

Magfan - I know I am a bit too shy in my approach and often do not make my point; alas, it's a fault, but what's a mother to do? Thanks for the reminder of repeatability - I knew there was a reason that most of the work I did for medical researchers had to do with replicating experiments - I wonder if the fuse guys replicate their subjective double blind studies. What? there are no double blind studies of what someone's highly reliable ear tells them? Surely you jest! My Faraday cage works great - Norah Jones (or is it Grace Jones) sounds sparkling, there is just a cleaner expressiveness with fuller tones and more depth. I hope yours works out as well. Sure its expensive and a lot of work, but its worth it.