2. tech-talk
  3. 131262-68132

Why don't amplifier Companies use high end fuses?

My equipment - Raven Integrated Reflection MK2 tube amp 58wpc. / Lumin A-1 DAC Streamer / Synology NAS / Isotex Aquarius Power Conditioner / Furutech Rhodium Plug / Sonus Faber Amati Homage Tradition speakers.  

I have read thousands of comments on upgraded fuses improving the performance of sound.  I am very open minded but not sold either way.  So, the question I have is....if fuses were so important, than why don't Amplifier companies all install them as OEM equipment?  To me, if they are as good as people say, that would provide companies who use them a competitive advantage?  

Every High End Audio store I go to in Phoenix have told me it does not make a difference and is a waste of money.  For the record, I have fuses purchased at an automotive store for under $10 and I think my sound is awesome.  The Company that built my amp tested the Synergistic Fuses and he emphatically said there was no difference.  

If I were to try a fuse for fun, given my equipment, what would your recommendation be to try?  
willgolf
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,131 posts
 
@kosst_amojan, 
I believe you're right. As to why they don't do it is beyond me. As I recall, Ralph (@atmasphere), uses something better than fuses in his designs. Until they start doing it on a regular basis, I'm going to stick with the better made PADIS fuse as it does sound better to my ears.

All the best,
Nonoise
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
@nonoise thanks, I’m not always so succinct. And it’s easy for me to be so when you’ve written a tome explaining everything first.

I do believe that a circuit breaker instead of an on/of switch would be the way to make this point moot. I think atmasphere was suggesting a different type of fuse, though. An industrial type that would require a different fuse holder. Both of these options are more than I want to do.

I just ordered some PADIS fuses... Thanks for the heads up. Parts connexion has HiFi tuning fuses on clearance right now, super cheap. Unfortunately they didn’t have the amperage I need, so I went with the PADIS. Not as cheap. But not as dear as the furutech.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Full disclosure: my previous system’s World’s Most Modded Oppo 103 employed a copper bypass in lieu of fuse. The Modded Woo Audio Headphone amp with ’42 Tung Sol rectifier tube and two '52 Sylvania Bad Boys (2 Herbies tube dampers each!) employed the Audio Magic Nano fuse, the correct direction determined by listening, no biggie.

These days I eschew fuses altogether. I do not use house AC power and there’s no place for a fuse even if I wanted to use one. No more power cords, no speaker cables and no interconnects and no digital cable. No more big capacitors, no more big honking transformers. No room acoustics issues to suffer. No more teacher’s dirty looks. If thy eye offend three pluck it out! 👁

rotarius
431 posts
 
Directional fuses - brought to you by the same kind of people who sell you cheapo alarm clocks and pebbles in a jar as audio tweaks.  A scam plain and simple.
jl35
4,159 posts
 
Curious how many have tried the upgrade fuses and preferred the regular ones...I've never tried the fuses...
More to discover