Fuses that matter.

CD players have a sonic signature.

Turntables have a sonic signature.

Phono cartridges have a sonic signature.

Amps, preamps have a sonic signature.

This list can get fairly long, and go on and on. And all of these components, and parts, could be measured, and heard for their sonic difference.

Fuses on the other hand have no sound. We (most of us) can't hear any sonic signature, that they are claimed (by some) to impose on a system. Not surprisingly, they can't be measured for this either.

The audio reviewers take all kinds of our gear, listen to the components, scrutinize them, and measure them with test equipment, sometimes to back up what they hear, and print their reports. Not fuses. These reports are just based on the individual reviewers hearing alone. No test results.

Where are the test reports, and their measurements for fuses? At least something to back up their statements. This is a short piece of wire, not a complicated component. So where is the measured test results? Apparently there are none, because it doesn't exist either.

We have satellites in space, high tech communications, plus other complicated electronics. They don't use these fuses. They use standard ones. This equipment is way more high-tech than our stereo systems. They are not out of spec, or have poor performance problems, in comparison to these special fuses (so-called better performance), due to the basic standard fuses used, giving them any error. If they did, you probably wouldn't be reading this.

Changing parts in any component can influence its sound, and will measure different also. This is done all the time. Even different brand of these parts can be heard by everyone (at least I hope those who are reading this), and measured by the test equipment, with consistent similar results.

Why is it that fuses have all kinds of variations of sonic changes, according to the reports of the people that hear this difference? And this is OK? What make this little fuse wire so special? Why can they get away with having such huge range of varied reports of sonic changes?

If you change to a certain type of coupling cap, you'll get very similar results, and answers, even from people with totally different systems. Similar test results too. That includes tube and solid state. If you change brands of tubes, the reported answers will be similar. Some are known to be brighter, others have better midrange, and other consistent similar reports.

Of course this consistency isn't necessary for fuses, or at least their supporters. The main thing is, that the people believe they hear something different, for their time, and trouble. That's their selling feature.

Everyone that builds our components have to answer to all kinds of measurements, and similar reviews. And these are a lot more complicated, full of wire, and all kinds of individual parts.

Again, absolutely nothing measured on fuses, and no consistent results. Both of these reasons should make you wonder, what's going on. Engineers know why, techs know why. It's time for these fuse people to prove that they can change the sound, and show it, in my opinion. The same as our complicated gear builders have to. Not just a short, simple piece of wire, that's in a fuse.

Hifitime,consider this,I have not said that the upgraded fuse has a sound, per se, but I have said that stock fuses can impede or colour the sound of the components in the chain that use them.

For instance, take my Manley Steelhead, it had a very acceptable sound on it's own with the stock fuse.

Adding the Supreme fuse only enhanced what I already liked about the Steelhead's sound.
It didn't alter it or change the sound in any way that I would not be able to ditinguish it from what it is.In other words ,the upgraded fuse did not mask or alter the sonics, It just let the sonics come thru clearer.I could not confuse the Stellhead with any other phono stage.

I know this is hard to comprehend if you haven't had the experience,but this is what happens in my system.

Every component that I've put a Supreme fuse in, has benefited in the same way.
Even my Decware Zen amp sounded fuller with the fuse than without it.
But the fuse didn't transform the DecWare into a Krell.It didn't turn two watts into two hundred.

If this is what some expect from an upgraded fuse, then they will be disappointed.

Perhaps this is the problem with tweaks.After reading about what they can do from happy users, some folks expectations are overly enthusiastic and when not met, the tweak is written off as snake oil.

Saddly I think this happens quite often, and if the disatisfied tweaker is more of a music first gear second type, then he may never be able to pick up on the subtle changes that can come about after a single tweak.

Also,single tweaks seldom are life changing events.
Like I mentioned, you won't transform your Nad into a Krell with a 100 buck fuse, but you will make that Nad sound better than it did.

In other words you will get more of the Nad sound that you paid for.

So there's no need to search for proof that the fuse can change the sound,if by change, one means morphing from B to A, it's more like B being improved to B+.

This is measureable with the greatest devices known to man, our ears.

Afterall, that's what we use when we enjoy the music.

When all is said and done, after all the science and snake oil and after the last spec has been documented,all we are left with is our ears.

And whether they are lying to us or not(hifi is just a lie)our ears are what we have to depend on.Unless you don't listen and just measure of course.

I've heard and read about amplifiers that have terrible measurements, but sound very natural and pleasing, and some amps with great specs can be fatiguing and not pleasant to listen to.

That should be enough to tell you that the specs and measurements aren't everything you need to guarantee that you will enjoy a component.They haven't been able to measure all aspects of the audio experience as of yet.Or tell us why we like some gear and not others with similar specs.

Do you believe that two amplifiers with identical specs but different topologies and components would sound the same?Would one amp using cheap caps, transformers and wire and another using upgraded caps, silver wound transformers and silver wire sound the same?
Are all mods just snake oil?



Again, I'm not anti spec anti science, but I don't think we have learned it all either.

Hifitime, I would ask you if you have ever experimented with a short simple piece of wire in place of the stock fuse you must be using?

Then try a thicker piece of solid core copper, or try silver and listen in place of the fuse.

Or you could try any number of simple pieces of wire as speaker cables.

One thing I would guarantee is that if you hear no differences in this case, then you will surely hear no differences in fuses either.

And you will get no argument from me.

I use Copper slugs in my gear and my preamp has a built-in miniature breaker instead of a fuse, the sound is much better in every parameter.

Hifitime, I was not aware they can measure soundstage height, microdynamics, transparency, pop, lushness, presence, shimmer, glassiness, glare, grain, openness, liquidness, timbre, rhythm, pitch, slam or air.  

Lacee....Excellent post!!!