Best fuses for under $50?

I’ve turned my equipment on and off as much as anyone here and I’ve never had a fuse blow on me.

This is what happens to a fuse over many switch on surges. Same fuse 5 different ageing periods, it hardens, carbonises, distorts it’s straight (new) shape because of flexing and will blow in the end.
And it’s the only reason a fuse can sound better when changed. Is that when you change one that’s on the right that’s seen many switch on surges for just a brand new one of the same.
https://i.stack.imgur.com/0uqWX.jpg

Cheers George

Kosst_Amojan 8-15-2017
I tend to blow one once a week if I power it off and on again too fast while messing with connections.

Georgehifi 8-15-2017
This is what happens to a fuse over many switch on surges. Same fuse 5 different ageing periods, it hardens, carbonises, distorts it’s straight (new) shape because of flexing and will blow in the end.

I would add that depending on the specific design even a brand new fuse might blow if a component is turned on too soon after being turned off. DC voltages that are supplied to various parts of the circuitry may still be in the process of decaying, resulting in uncontrolled and unpredictable behavior if the component is turned on while that is occurring.

IMO it’s never a good idea to turn any electronic component on until sufficient time has elapsed from when it was turned off to be confident that all of its circuitry is no longer capable of functioning in any manner, controlled or uncontrolled. That may mean a few seconds or a few minutes, depending on the specific design.

Regards,
-- Al

Couldn't all this caution with powering on and off of equipment be construed as going a bit overboard when defending a belief? Some here have bandied about how PCs cannot possibly get one better sound because, inferior amp design. Yet we all must walk on eggshells when it comes to fuses? Common sense is being conflated with "what if" or "it just might be". Anyone that impatient to operate their equipment shouldn't be allowed near said equipment. I'd hate to see them operate at a shooting range.

Not really an argument to make. 

I've pointed out in another thread about high rupturing fuses and how it seems that what works for them was simply applied to the fuses we use in audio equipment. Yes, they charge too much (unless you know where to look) but HR fuses DON'T deteriorate with age. Wouldn't anyone want a fuse like that? Something designed to remain constant and perform consistently, instead of rolling the dice whenever you turn something on?

I've heard the differences they make and no amount of debate will convince me I'm hearing things. In fact, I've just ordered 5 PADIS fuses for about $130 (with shipping from Germany) and will let everyone know what I find out about them. It's really no biggie.

All the best,
Nonoise

Nonoise, to be sure it’s clear the caution I was expressing just above pertains not only to avoiding the possibility of blowing a fuse, but to avoiding the possibility of other damage to the equipment, or degradation of its long-term reliability, that may be much more serious.

I make a point of not even turning my computer or TV set on for at least 30 seconds or so after turning them off.

Regards,
-- Al

Good stuff Al :)

Dave