We Need A Separate Forum for Fuses


LOL, I'll bet I gotcha on that Title! ;)  BTW, I put this thread under "Tech Talk" category as it involves the system physically, not tangentially. 

More seriously, two question survey:

1. Do you think designer fuses are A) a Gift to audiophiles, or B) Snake Oil 

2. Have you ever tried them?  Yes or No

In the tradition of such questions on Agon, I'll weigh in as we go along... 
Feel free to discuss and rant all you wish, but I would like to see clear answers to the questions. :) 
douglas_schroeder
gdhal1
I respectively disagree, however, that there is any kind of necessity to do the reversal "quickly".

If the test were simply for your own edification, you could enlist the help of a friend who would perform the reversal (i.e. the reversal or non reversal is blind to you). Granted, it could be a minute or two between each iteration of the test.
You're free to disagree, but there's a lot of research on valid listening tests that conflicts with your claim.

For example, if I play a Bob Dylan song and once complete I then play an Amy Winehouse song, I might say "they sound different" and in fact "they sound overwhelmingly and obviously different". In this case, it wouldn't matter that Amy Winehouse began playing 1 millisecond, 1 year, or anywhere in between after Bob Dylan. I’d tell you, *one hundred percent of the time* - as in never wrong once - whether or not Bob or Amy were the artist being played.
I think the changes that might result from reversing the orientation of a fuse would be a lot more subtle than discriminating between Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse. The test you're describing is nowhere near rigorous enough to reliably reveal such differences, and I suspect you know that. 
Hi @cleeds 

First, my apology as I meant to write "respectfully" instead of "respectively". No matter, you get the idea :)

I think the changes that might result from reversing the orientation of a fuse would be a lot more subtle than discriminating between Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse. The test you're describing is nowhere near rigorous enough to reliably reveal such differences, and I suspect you know that.

Consider the operative word you are using - "subtle". Now consider many folks are clearly writing "major", "not so subtle" and other descriptors instead of the just the word subtle. I see/hear nothing wrong with the "blinded" Amy > Bob > Amy > Bob test I describe. In fact, I would have to think you and others would *want* to do a blind test in the manner I describe, even if merely to substantiate your belief. This is what I did when I purchased a DAC. Why wouldn't you/others do this when reversing a fuse/wire?

gdhal

I see/hear nothing wrong with the "blinded" Amy > Bob > Amy > Bob test I describe.
Understood, but as I explained, a lot of research shows that quick switching is required for a valid listening test.

In fact, I would have to think you and others would *want* to do a blind test in the manner I describe, even if merely to substantiate your belief. This is what I did when I purchased a DAC. Why wouldn’t you/others do this when reversing a fuse/wire?
I've already told you: I don’t have a belief. I haven’t switched the orientation of a fuse or wire, so I have no reason to test it.
@cleeds 

Fair enough. Then, given the recent communication, I'd imagine you might consider extending an apology to me for using the word "fraud" numerous times. What we have is a simple disagreement as to how any kind of testing would be performed. No right or wrong per se, just a difference of opinion. Thanks.