Question about suitable fuse metals


I've been wanting to experiment with audiophile fuses for a while but the cost and the concern of blowing one of these costly fuses has kept me from purchasing.  However, I read that solid slugs actually sound better than fuses and cost WAY less, so I purchased a 6" rod of 99.99 copper and, because I wasn't really thinking, also purchased another 6" rod of titanium.  I guess I was thinking of rhodium, palladium, or platinum, not titanium.   I had these cut down to 20mm and, so far have tried them in my amp, a Red Dragon S500, and my DAC, the Bel Canto 2.8, which I run direct without a preamp.   The titanium slug sounds pretty darn good in the DAC, noticeably better than the copper. I tried one in the amp as well and that combo did not work well at all.  The amp is doing better with the copper slug.  I looked up the electrical conductivity of titanium and found it is a rather poor conductor.  Is there any risk to the DAC using the titanium slug, given the poor electrial conductivity?  Thanks for any relevant input.

lcherepkai

This is probably one of the dumbest posts I have seen on these pages...and there have been some dumb ones.  Audiophile fuses are one of the biggest scams out there, and Synergistic Research is raking it in with their pseudo-scientific nonsense.  But to carry it to the extreme and bypass fuses because you think it might "sound better" is utterly ridiculous.

I wouldn’t do that, nor use fuses not recommended by he factory. But if you must, why not add a crowbar circuit just for insurance?

Doesn’t have to be exotic: just a twisted pair of 20 AWG insulated wire with heat shrink to insulate each end. Connect one wire to the hot side of the AC inlet and one wire to the common side. Arrange the wire across the top of the chassis so that in event of fire the insulation melts and the two conductors meet and blow a breaker.

Crude, but better than nothing. I use fuses, breakers, and crowbars. YMMV

fpomposo:  Yeah, I may go that route eventually, try one and compare to the slugs I have on hand currently.  If the SR fuse isn't better than the slug(s), I could always turn around and re-sell.  Thanks.

 

jhnnrrs:  Why the venom?  And would you please elucidate your experience(s) with audiophile fuses?  You sound like an authority so surely you have extensive experience.  Actually, I'm rather glad I did the ridiculous and experimented with the slugs in place of the stock fuses.  I guess I'll continue my delusional behavior and enjoy the better sound I'm imaging I'm hearing.

Why not use silver slugs! Lower resistance than gold, copper or - God help us - titanium. Don't forget to try some vanadium - used in my steak knife!

Well, as long as you’re happy...

I always keep in mind that we are in the entertainment business. - Nelson Pass