Fuses


I’ve read of views on whether amp fuses impart any sound quality or coloring. I had a recent experience that has made me re-think my views (fuses do not affect sound) and wondered if others had a similar experience. 
I have a Line Magnetic integrated amp. After heavy regular use for over 5 years, one day it just wouldn’t power up. After checking the power supply, I assumed it must be a blown fuse. I recalled that Line Magnetic sent with the amp two replacement fuses of the same type/quality that was pre-installed. I dug out one of them from storage, replaced the fuse and the amp powered up normally. 

What surprised and delighted me was the change in sound with the replacement fuse. Fuller bass, more detail and more warmth. I have rolled the tubes several times in the amp, and am attuned to the subtle changes that can make. Popping in a fresh fuse seems to have had a similar affect. And these appear to be cheap fuses, available for a few dollars at most. I don’t think I understand any of this. 
bmcbrad
I make my own fuses, that compete with all the 250 dollar ones,  with exotic  waxes and stuff. 
if you remove the caps off a fuse, pour out the sand in the cylinders.... and then fill the fuses with a  a Silicon Dioxide/Mineral Oil mix, lab grade sio2 is a fine powder and it make a liquid paste  when mixed  with the oil. Seal it back up  with an oil resistant epoxy.
Distortion with a fuse like this is practically nonexistent. 
Excellent clarity/resolution. Really nice liquid highs, and expressive voices that sound live. 

Cost me about 4 dollars a fuse to make my batches. so about 40 dollars for 10 of them. 
And how do you connect the fuse wire to the end cap? Make your own?

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You can not evaluate sound quality this way as your own internal biases can affect the outcome even when you are sure they can’t. In short, you can remember what you heard but you can’t remember what you heard sounded like even if you attempt to characterize it. It is impossible, none of us can because out brains are not wired to do this. People are dead certain there heard a difference which births the mythology and an industry base on psychological deception.

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Not only can I remember, I can remember over years and years. I just contacted a buddy of mine I hadn’t spoke to in 35 years. He new exactly who I was and I knew his voice and the change in his voice from wearing dentures as well.. How’s that for being able to remember sound. People who are trained in the art of listening have to remember sounds and how to identify sound when there is all kinds of other noises also.. You have to listen through the noise to get to the sound grasshopper..

Regards
Breaking news ... oldhvymec is to feature in the latest DC comics movie as ‘ Audio Man ‘ he has the ability to hear through time ... he can even identify that Queen Elizabeth the 1st wore wooden dentures
well technically not my own, like from scratch.
Aucharm fuses from China are 2 dollars a pop. I use them for my amp... The easiest thing to do is buy double than what you need, break half of them, and save the end caps.
Take the other half, and carefully use wire strippers or another cutting instrument and remove the caps off the end. They are not very thick...
Ditch the cut caps, fill the cylinder with the sio2/oil mixture, a syringe works best.
 Let cap on one side dry and harden before filling with oil, and sealing the other cap.

The aucharm fuses have snap holders on each end, so the wire is not soldered, the caps press down on these inserts and make a connection with the fuse wire.

The wire on these fuses is a Silver Alloy, and sounds fantastic. Caps are pure copper, Gold plated.

For my DAC I bought a Gustard fuse (5x20) from aliexpress, and after the oil treatment, it sounds better than an SR Orange/ All the Hifi Supremes, and on par with Audiomagic wax fuses.

I think materials definitely play a part in the sound fuses impart on playback, but the biggest change comes from thermal management, and filament dampening.
The SIO2/Mineral oil mixture provides both .

It’s worth a try, you might be surprised how well it works.