fuses - the $39 ones or the 85 cent ones

This is great.
First, I don't care which is better, the cheapo or the Hi-Digit fuse. 39$ is quite a pop.
I would, however, like to see where people can just tell the difference when they don't know what is installed. That's all. Just tell the difference. We can argue about weird science and which setup is better, later.
I don't know....do fuses go to the Hot side or Neutral side?

All the fuse-folks are saying 'of course I can tell...what a Maroon.' But CAN you?

For all those who feel compelled to take a meter to there systems innerds, PLEASE unplug first and let it sit for a while for the caps to discharge. I don't want to read about this in the paper.

Dave_b.....more power to 'ya. Enjoy.

"Having the fuses in backwards causes the highs to become shrill, forward and hard sounding, bass lacks focus and instruments seem a bit out of sync in relationship to each other. The stock fuses are less dynamic, less transparent, do not image as well and seem to add a bit more distortion." That sounds pretty significant. Do try Magfan's test and see if you can tell. I tried this "blind" approach with the two Hi-fi Tuning fuses in my transport and DAC, and I could not hear it. Now, this argument can, and has gone on forever, but all I can say is try the fuses and have someone make the changes so you don't know which is in. If there was a noticeable difference in bass, dynamics, transparency, etc you should be able to notice it with this approach, and if there is, great, you got a big improvement for very little $$$. If you can't, then stick to the $1 fuses.

If you stand in front of and away from the mirror a hundred times, you will start to see yourself differently.

If you have to squint to hear a difference, then perhaps there is no difference.

Try "Difference & Repetition" by Gilles Deleuze. It might help.

Agreed!

This puts the naysayers (me, perhaps) in a bad spot. If someone can really tell, say 90% of the time when the hi-fi tuning fuse is installed, than some of the brain trust has to figure out WHY.
Those who try this, please keep track of '
1. number of trials
2. who did the change
3. Results
4. What fuse / used where / what equipment.

That should 'bout do it for now.