@jhills, I never claimed a startling difference and I’ve never advocated spending $147 on a fuse. What I have heard are more akin to tonal shifts, attenuated highs, an out of phase characteristic to the sound, etc. They were, however, significant enough that I kept on researching (something most audiophiles do) until I found the best fuse for my needs, never having to spend more than about $50 bucks per fuse.
And, again, if a fuse’s job is just to protect and has no effect on the sound, then some small speck or mote on the contacts wouldn’t have an effect on the sound. Either the fuse works or it fails, by design, and stops any current.
If that speck or mote has an effect on the sound, then a fuse with much better conductivity would, as well. Both ways argue better conductivity.
All I can and will say, from now on, is: until you try it for yourself, you’re arguing in bad faith.
All the best,
Nonoise