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Fuses

I’ve read of views on whether amp fuses impart any sound quality or coloring. I had a recent experience that has made me re-think my views (fuses do not affect sound) and wondered if others had a similar experience. 
I have a Line Magnetic integrated amp. After heavy regular use for over 5 years, one day it just wouldn’t power up. After checking the power supply, I assumed it must be a blown fuse. I recalled that Line Magnetic sent with the amp two replacement fuses of the same type/quality that was pre-installed. I dug out one of them from storage, replaced the fuse and the amp powered up normally. 

What surprised and delighted me was the change in sound with the replacement fuse. Fuller bass, more detail and more warmth. I have rolled the tubes several times in the amp, and am attuned to the subtle changes that can make. Popping in a fresh fuse seems to have had a similar affect. And these appear to be cheap fuses, available for a few dollars at most. I don’t think I understand any of this. 
bmcbrad
amtprod's avatar
amtprod
102 posts
 
georgehifi thank you for the info!  I was -just- about to ask someone with electrical circuit engineering/design formal knowledge to explain how a fuse in audio equipment works, is used, and what/how it could flavor the sonic quality of the other components in the piece of kit. 

I grasp and have experience with how items like capacitors or resistors in crossovers can dramatically change the tonal character of speakers, as well as how the items in the path of the audio signal in an amp or pre-amp can also color the audio tonality = cheap/expensive or very basic/higher engineering and careful crafting and materials components.Is there a  difference to items that simply supply power vs those that are carry the audio signal?

It's interesting how something can measure/function work exactly the same (one watt=one watt), but can dramatically change how something sounds.  Just like food I would imagine--a steak from bargain market doesn't compare to steak from purpose raised organic ranch.  

yuviarora's avatar
yuviarora
537 posts
 
In my experience parts in the signal chain affect sound just as much as parts in the power chain.
There is no difference between the two, we think there is, but the reality is much different.
Power cables, fuses, capacitors make pretty remarkable differences in tonality, resolution, soundstage, transparency, treble/bass balance.
At least this what I have found to be the case.

P.S. one of the biggest changes to the sound of my amplifiers (i rebuilt them with all boutique parts) came not from changing the capacitors in the signal path, but from swapping out the safety capacitors after the fuses. I tried 3 different capacitors and finally settled on the mundorf supremes. 
Go figure.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
amtprod12 posts
georgehifi thank you for the info! I was -just- about to ask someone with electrical circuit engineering/design formal knowledge to explain how a fuse in audio equipment works, is used, and what/how it could flavor the sonic quality of the other components in the piece of kit.

Yes things do change the sound "IN" a piece of kit on the dc side of things.
But an ac mains fuse is not "IN" the piece of kit it’s in the ac mains supply just like like the fuse in your fuse box.
If you truly believe that a $$$$$ ac mains fuse of your amp can be better than a standard one, then no fuse at all would be the best, correct???
Then use one of these in place of your fuse for just a test instead of spending $$$ on snake oil fuses, and see what it sounds like compared to the normal fuse, as it’s solid brass fuse buss bar just like no fuse at all for tech testing. https://ibb.co/KqV3hNb

Cheers George
yuviarora's avatar
yuviarora
537 posts
 
George you are an ideologue.
You are talking to people that have already done all the experiments.
The best fuse is no fuse, we already know this, but most equipment does not allow for the installation of breakers (and breakers also have their issues)
There are space constraints, it’s much easier to just use a treated fuse, that gets you nearly all the way to the benefits of a bypass.

amtprod's avatar
amtprod
102 posts
 
Then use one of these in place of your fuse for just a test instead of spending $$$ on snake oil fuses, and see what it sounds like compared to the normal fuse, as it’s solid brass fuse buss bar just like no fuse at all for tech testing.
georgehifi UGH!~!! But, what about the atom structure and purity of the brass?!?! Is it directional?!?!? Do you need to clean it weekly and coat in some special secret sauce?!?! (Just teasing). I can see making a pretty penny on making some different brass buss bars! OCC copper, titanium, adamantium, unobtanium, hand forged, cold treated, etc.

I wish science and technology could discover a way to measure and catalogue the tint/hue changes each components makes. I worked in professional photography for years with most of it using large format chrome film. It was ’easy’ to measure and know exactly what the tone, tint, color, hue and contrast changes a piece of film would have by the chemistry used to make the film, temp and time kept in storage to age, etc. But electronics man.....a watt isn’t simply a watt!

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