We Need A Separate Forum for Fuses

A primary reason I’ve never experimented with reversing fuses is that I don’t know how to conduct a listening test that would allow me to quickly switch back and forth between the two orientations. I think being able to do that is a prerequisite for a valid listening test. As for cables, most of my ICS are either balanced or have an outer shield connected at only one end, so it’s not practical to reverse those. That leaves me with speaker cables but again, how could I quickly switch between two orientations? I’d need some kind of switcher and then long lengths of speaker cable that I could cut in half, and then connect to the switcher with one option reversed. That’s more work than I’m likely to undertake.

cleeds - A primary reason I’ve never experimented with reversing fuses is that I don’t know how to conduct a listening test that would allow me to quickly switch back and forth between the two orientations..... That leaves me with speaker cables but again, how could I quickly switch between two orientations? ....

@cleeds

Understood. I respectively disagree, however, that there is any kind of necessity to do the reversal "quickly".

If the test were simply for your own edification, you could enlist the help of a friend who would perform the reversal (i.e. the reversal or non reversal is blind to you). Granted, it could be a minute or two between each iteration of the test.

Keep in mind though that many folks have expressed a "major" difference. In these cases, I humbly submit that if in fact there is a major difference, it should/could be detected regardless of the test methodology and how long or short of time elapses between each test.

For example, if I play a Bob Dylan song and once complete I then play an Amy Winehouse song, I might say "they sound different" and in fact "they sound overwhelmingly and obviously different". In this case, it wouldn't matter that Amy Winehouse began playing 1 millisecond, 1 year, or anywhere in between after Bob Dylan. I’d tell you, *one hundred percent of the time* - as in never wrong once - whether or not Bob or Amy were the artist being played.

Therefore, those who purportedly can hear a "major" difference when a fuse or wire is reversed, should also be subject to this same - and very simple - test, irrespective of duration of time between the first listen and subsequent listen.

gdhal1

I respectively disagree, however, that there is any kind of necessity to do the reversal "quickly".

If the test were simply for your own edification, you could enlist the help of a friend who would perform the reversal (i.e. the reversal or non reversal is blind to you). Granted, it could be a minute or two between each iteration of the test.

You're free to disagree, but there's a lot of research on valid listening tests that conflicts with your claim.

For example, if I play a Bob Dylan song and once complete I then play an Amy Winehouse song, I might say "they sound different" and in fact "they sound overwhelmingly and obviously different". In this case, it wouldn't matter that Amy Winehouse began playing 1 millisecond, 1 year, or anywhere in between after Bob Dylan. I’d tell you, *one hundred percent of the time* - as in never wrong once - whether or not Bob or Amy were the artist being played.

I think the changes that might result from reversing the orientation of a fuse would be a lot more subtle than discriminating between Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse. The test you're describing is nowhere near rigorous enough to reliably reveal such differences, and I suspect you know that. 

Can someone please remind me what the topic of this thread was !!

Hi @cleeds 

First, my apology as I meant to write "respectfully" instead of "respectively". No matter, you get the idea :)

I think the changes that might result from reversing the orientation of a fuse would be a lot more subtle than discriminating between Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse. The test you're describing is nowhere near rigorous enough to reliably reveal such differences, and I suspect you know that.

Consider the operative word you are using - "subtle". Now consider many folks are clearly writing "major", "not so subtle" and other descriptors instead of the just the word subtle. I see/hear nothing wrong with the "blinded" Amy > Bob > Amy > Bob test I describe. In fact, I would have to think you and others would *want* to do a blind test in the manner I describe, even if merely to substantiate your belief. This is what I did when I purchased a DAC. Why wouldn't you/others do this when reversing a fuse/wire?