09-26-11: Sgr
Krell amps use no fuses. I believe so they don't impact the sound quality.
...Orrr, because circuit breakers offer particular advantages over fuses in high-current applications, as with most commercial welding equipment, since you made reference to the KSA-250s abilty, of which I happen to own one driving Scintillas.
09-26-11: Vhiner
I'll just wait for a knowledgable Krell owner with experience to post on this question. I know someone who owns four of them and he says they have no fuses. Until then I'm sure there'll be a week-long theoretical debate about it.
Though true for Krells amps, is blatantly untrue for their preamps, of which incorporate standard fuses for which Krell managed to achieve their sonic goals without boutique fuses.
09-26-11: Sebrof
Of course Krell uses fuses. Go to their website and download the manuals like I did and read about the fuse specs like I did.
09-26-11: Vhiner
I stand corrected. Sorry. I rarely post heresay. It won't happen again.
Classic!
09-26-11: Sgr
I own 2 Krell KSA 250s and a pair of MDA 500s and have just double checked the owners manuals and according to the manual Krell has developed circuit topologies without fuses because they impact the sound quality.
And just where in Krells KSA-250 manual does it say without fuses because they impact the sound quality? To reiterate, Krell uses them in their preamps, yet opted to use circuit breakers in their high-current amps for strategic reasons.
One might conclude that while the use of fuses is required to protect our expensive audio equipment, it is not in the best interest of the components sonic potential, thus the need for higher quality fuses to counter the effects of the fuses. In fact many audiophiles have wired around the fuses or installed solid pieces of copper in place of the fuses for their systems sonic benefit. Of course this is risky, you could blow the hell out or your equipment! So I'll be safe and have better sound by buying audiophile fuses, thus a better quality fuse that both protects the circuitry and p
Pure unsubstantiated opinion! Wont you please educate us on exactly what the construction differences are aside from gold plated ends and printed directional arrows?
09-26-11: Vhiner
I love reading posts by people with first-hand experience. Thanks Sgr.
What first-hand experience?
09-27-11: Vhiner
Sebrof, No redemption for me...I'm here to learn and I think your post generated some much needed insight into how at least one equipment designer views fuses, which I did not know about, namely that fuses may degrade sound. I was similarly skeptical when I first heard about amps with no fuses.
Which designers fuse views regarding namely that fuses may degrade sound?
09-27-11: Jeff_jones
" They do describe operation of their installed circuit breaker used instead of an incoming power fuse on the KSA 250 though. The interesting thing in the manual to me was the warning not to fiddle with a different power supply cable, almost as if they were using power cable impedance as part of the protection scheme? One could discuss whether fuses & breakers sound different, but I wouldn't recommend it:)
Jeff, my take was that Krells statement pertained to buyers potentially swapping out power cords without acknowledging current ratings for the amp's current demands. The later part of you paragraph is what some seem to be overlooking, and probably will never become a niche market for obvious reasons to several of us, though I would never bet against it.
