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Audiophile Fuses

I have used audiophile fuses for years in various equipment without problem, generally appreciative of sound quality improvement. Recently, I've encountered problems with audiophile fuses blowing in my Coincident Turbo 845SE amplifier. At this point I've had two failures of Synergistic Red Quantum 6.3a 250v sloblo fuses in this amp.

Recently I discovered some interesting information in regard to audiophile fuses at partsconnexion.com website. In the heading above stocked fuses it states, "blow characteristics will differ slightly (due to the different metalurgy of the fuse elements) between commercial grade and audio grade fuses. We can't guarantee that your audiophile grade fuse won't blowout at different in-rush current thresholds than your stock commercial fuse."

They also mention one should check for continuity on fuse prior to installation to insure it will be covered by warranty.

And so, based on my experience, and quoting this message, it seems buyer beware on these fuses. First off, I doubt measuring continuity prior to installation will validate any warranty. How would dealer/manufacturer know whether or not you had installed a blown/defective fuse? Also, it would appear this request to check continuity prior to installation may demonstrate quality control problems as well. Do they not check continuity at the manufacturer and/or dealer? Or are they often damaged in shipment? If so, that is a high level of fragility.

At this point, I would advise caution in using audiophile fuses in high current amplifiers. The disclaimers stated on partsconnexion website demonstrate they've encountered this problem more than a few times. I applaud partsconnexion for they're forthrightness on this issue. Other manufactures/dealers should follow suit.
sns
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,658 posts
 
Audiophile fuses are pure Snake oil! If you hear an improvement, that would be called the Placebo Effect. To each his own.
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zd542
5,339 posts
 
What if the audiophile fuses made the sound worse? Would it still be a placebo, or would the negativity legitimize the results?
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,658 posts
 
A fuse is just a thin piece of wire that goes open if the voltage rating is exceeded . A fuse should not change the sound .So yes if you hear a difference either way ,yes it is a Placebo. If someone hears a difference that's fine with me.A fuse is a fuse is a fuse!
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
To correct an inaccuracy, Roger Modjeski was not "booted off" the AC Forum a while ago, but rather notified readers that he was saying goodbye to it when he moved up to Berkeley and opened his audio engineering school late last year. But let's pretend he was, and ask "So what?". Would that invalidate his findings on the Hi-Fi Tuning fuses, and discussion of fuses in general? Those findings are still on the Forum and available to read, if one so wishes. It's an eye opener.
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