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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
yes and you are and good luck with it. 🙏
Post removed 
antigrunge2
1,398 posts
 
Lordy Lord, why are some people always hell bent to render a perfectly civil discussion useless by resorting to dogma and insults? The assumption that everybody else are idiots tends to exclude the one idiot in the plot from consideration….
amtprod's avatar
amtprod
102 posts
 
georgehifi thank you for the info!  I was -just- about to ask someone with electrical circuit engineering/design formal knowledge to explain how a fuse in audio equipment works, is used, and what/how it could flavor the sonic quality of the other components in the piece of kit. 

I grasp and have experience with how items like capacitors or resistors in crossovers can dramatically change the tonal character of speakers, as well as how the items in the path of the audio signal in an amp or pre-amp can also color the audio tonality = cheap/expensive or very basic/higher engineering and careful crafting and materials components.Is there a  difference to items that simply supply power vs those that are carry the audio signal?

It's interesting how something can measure/function work exactly the same (one watt=one watt), but can dramatically change how something sounds.  Just like food I would imagine--a steak from bargain market doesn't compare to steak from purpose raised organic ranch.  

yuviarora's avatar
yuviarora
537 posts
 
In my experience parts in the signal chain affect sound just as much as parts in the power chain.
There is no difference between the two, we think there is, but the reality is much different.
Power cables, fuses, capacitors make pretty remarkable differences in tonality, resolution, soundstage, transparency, treble/bass balance.
At least this what I have found to be the case.

P.S. one of the biggest changes to the sound of my amplifiers (i rebuilt them with all boutique parts) came not from changing the capacitors in the signal path, but from swapping out the safety capacitors after the fuses. I tried 3 different capacitors and finally settled on the mundorf supremes. 
Go figure.
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