Synergistic Red Fuse ...

A fuse is perhaps the least complicated part in electronics.   Except for wires maybe, at least the normal kind.

Fuses conduct electricity normally and blow out at certain designed current levels .  Thats pretty much it.   No two things ever perform exactly alike.   If two fuses perform differently under normal operation, most likely there is a measurable difference in conductivity based on the design and construction.   Or just a better seating and contact with its holder can make a big difference here as mentioned.   

Regarding what makes a fuse directional, I have no clue.  So I would not worry about it at all in the grand scale of things until there is a reason.  Especially with AC current.   There could be differences that can only be determined by trial and error case by case.   If it matters to someone, then by all means have at it.

"Anyone wish to take a stab at other things aftermarket fuses do better than stock fuses? Thimk, thimk!"

I’m thimking, I’m thimking...Umm!!! Drain your wallet... Just had to say it...8^)

macdad, every device is designed to use a particular value fuse in terms of how much current will pass before blowing out.

The risk with audiophiles is forgetting what the primary purpose of a fuse is: to protect the equipment from accidental damage. Its a safety device first, an audiophile tweak second. I’m not sure how much attention teh companies selling fuses based on how they sound pay attention to making sure they work properly to-spec, which is the first most important thing.

If a device requires a certain rating fuse and it blows consistently, then either there is a problem with the device or the fuse. You want to change to a different fuse of the correct rating. Going to a higher rated fuse that passes more current is the wrong thing to do. It could result in damage to your expensive gear. All for a freaking hifi fuse!!!!!

Update ...

Robert (Mr. Golden Ears) came over for the listening session last night. The last time he came over the black fuses in the CD player had at the most 20 hours on them. At that time, he thought the black fuses were a big step back from the red fuses. He found the system bright and unemotional.

Last night the system was sounding exceptional. Here's Robert's comments with the black fuses broken in:

1.  "You haven't had sound this BIG since you had your big Acoustat IV electrostatic panels."

2.  "The system has the speed of the best solid state gear and the three dimensional sound of the best tube gear."

3.  "The black fuses have improved the system further than the red fuses did over the stock fuses." 

4.  "It sounds like a new system."

5.  "Amazing!"

6.  "This is the best I've ever heard a trumpet sound in any system."

7.  "When thinking of all the HiFi shows we've been to together over the years, we haven't heard anything this good."

Its been fun being the Guinea Pig for the SR black fuse experiment and upgrades. Now then ... there are three more red fuses to be replaced with the black fuses. Once done ... will I ever be able to leave home? Von's market delivers groceries, right? 

Happy listening fuse freaks ... :-)

Mopman wrote,

"Geoff if you know just be nice and share and stop teasing the audiophiles."

if I know? I thought everyone knew.  Don't you know?

an ordinary man has no means of deliverance.