Not proving you wrong and really appreciate you sharing your vast experience on this. I know you were right as this is likely just a temporary fix till the caps get worse. As you suggested and so did Ted from Synergy, the preamp shouldn't pop a slow blow fuse when you turn it on unless something is not right!

Well being able to use it is a good start.. :-) I have to roll a C2500 in and a C45 out of my system. I'm so lazy! :-) BUT I just got it fixed. Wife is driving me nuts as usual. She will listen for 2 days and come out with a list.. LOL Good ears. The FIX will be a pair of matched Blackburn or Telefunken. 

I would like to try a Cary pre like a 98 or 05. I'm so use to tone control and Mac, tough to change. I've heard a few Carys though...

Happy Happy..

Fuses do NOT make ANY difference to the sound. Anyone not agreeing suffers from the audiophool syndrome. There will be scandalous resistance to this comment but just take my word for it.

Use UL approved, slow blow properly rated fuses which came with your system originally.

If you are still popping them, there may be a fault in your system.

Remember, fuses pop for a reason (typically to avoid a fire). Do not do anything weird (like installing higher rated snake oil fuses) to give the insurance companies any excuse not to pay for your burned down house.

I have the same Cary pre-amp with the orange fuses and I didn’t have to go to a higher value. I also have some exotic 6F8G and Marconi BL-63 tubes installed in it. My Cary amps are another story however as they will blow at the stated fuse value needed. 

Iwin,

Tell me more about those tubes you swapped. What have you tried and how do they compare to something like my vintage Tungsten? I'm interested in how you ended up with the tubes you have. Also now that I have the purple SR fuses I'm breaking them in. What direction did you find sounded best on your Cary preamp? I I have the hot end going in from right to left. Jury is still out on benefits over orange SR.

Greg