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What is the science behind audiophile fuses?

There were many threads on the topic of "audiophile fuses" on this forum, and I sure don't want to open old wounds and trench warfare. The fuse on my preamp blew suddenly two days ago, which prompted me to search for a replacement. That's when I came across the term "audiophile fuse" and the fact that they demand far-out prices. Deeper curiosity brought me to several other fora, where users posted glowing praises about their Zero fuses and other exotica. Now I am a scientist, but not a physicist or electrical engineer: so please enlighten me! How can a fuse have an audible influence on the signal, when the signal does not even pass through it? How can a fuse be "directional" when it deals with alternate current? I mean, if I recall my university physics, a fuse is basically a safety valve and nothing more. Am I completely missing an important point here? My scientific field is drug discovery, and because of this background I am thoroughly familiar with the power and reality of the placebo effect. I that's what I am seeing here, or is it real physics? I need objective facts and not opinions, please. I really appreciate your help!

 
128x128reimarc
thecarpathian
4,185 posts
 

@tonywinga ,

Where abouts are you down there?

Poor little Cedar Key is getting it good, but it looks like one of my favorite places, Apalachicola, is going to get spared. Might get a little dicey for Sopchoppy and Carrabelle, though. Hope you ride it out safely!

jafant
18,958 posts
 

tonywinga

 

Thank You for the initial Fuse report. I am looking forward in reading more about your impressions/thoughts on HiFi Tuning Fuse(s).

 

Happy Listening!

czarivey
5,750 posts
 

to work less and earn more

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

I’m in middle Georgia a little ways west of Savannah, GA.  We are experiencing heavy rain here and the wind is picking up.  Still have power and still watching the humming birds flit around the feeders.

tonywinga's avatar
tonywinga
844 posts
 

The hurricane is past us.  We had 10 hours of heavy rain and some wind but never lost power.

The HiFi Tuning fuses, 6.3A T Slow blow type arrived this morning.  I installed them in my mono amps this evening and turned the amps on.  One amp stayed on but the other amp turned on only for a moment and shut off.  Pulled the fuse and confirmed with my Ohm meter that it had blown.

Experiment is over.  I've had my fill of hifi fuses.  I hope I can get a refund from the vendor for these two.  I already took it on the chin for the last two fuses.

The Hifi Tuning fuse in my DAC is still working fine and it sounds good.  I'm not touching it.

This is audio.  Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose.  Not knowing isn't an option.  And if anyone wants to claim confirmation bias, I'm almost certain the one amp would not have made any sound had I left the hifi fuses in place.

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