Purist Audio Design Dominus Luminist is a very nice suggestion - I'll look it up.
Aftermarket fuse to tame a bright system?
Been reading all the interesting posts here, I've recently switched over to Audioquest silver interconnects and speaker cables, the improvement is easy to hear over OCC copper - lower noise floor, more clarity, greater transient snap, larger soundstage etc.... BUT.
I would say my system still has body, but the top end is now bright/harsh. Could an aftermarket fuse tame this, so that I can still retain the clarity and other benefits of silver? I'm concerned that this potential solution may make my system more dynamic, and potentially give it a U or V shape sound profile - which is definitely what I don't want.
The problem started after changing your IC's and speaker cables. Changing something else won't fix the situation. A fuse change can change the overall sound but won't fix the problem. As I see it, you have several options. The first would be to sit tight for 200-300 hours and see what happens. If you have a streamer or transport with the ability to play continuously, that is easy-just run it nonstop while you're home. This is the easiest, but I suspect it won't change things to your satisfaction. The second depends on if you still have your old cables. Trade out either the IC's or speaker cables with your original cables. I would start with the IC's. This will help you locate the likely culprit. Once it has settled a bit, reverse the process. If it is clear which cable set is producing the problem, change only that. If you're not sure, go back to your original set up and reverse the process. Silver can be intoxicating because the upper end gets super focused and clear. My ears can tolerate it only for about 30 mins. I have a combo of silver and copper in my system and they balance each other out nicely. I would also work with the Cable Co. They are very friendly and knowledgable. Good luck. |
The Audio Magic Masterpiece M2 fuses have now been through what must have been a pretty good burn-in. All I can say is that everything now sounds "right," and this is the first time in my 4 years working with this system that I can say such a thing. I would also particularly recommend these fuses for horn systems like my Cornwall 4's and for class D GanFet amps like my Audions. |
Reading thru this thread I find it entertaining that after introducing pure silver ICs and speaker cables, all in a signal path, that made the system bright, there are those who believe a fuse that’s not in a signal path can help reverse the effect. |
I think that's fair comment @audphile1 What is interesting though is that interconnects seem to be the most important piece of the chain, silver in this position provides an upwards tilt to the frequency response - silver in other positions seems to have less effect (just more transparency). What has surprised me though is that power cables can really change the frequency response as well (let's ignore silver or copper issue at this point), with some power cables providing more open and extended treble. Anyway, I have concluded that an aftermarket fuse may well change the sound, it might help - but fundamentally it's the interconnect which needs to be switched out because the upwards tilt I have with this silver interconnect will likely always remain and I'd end up trying to over/incorrectly compensate for it elsewhere. Some good suggestions on alternative interconnects given here and I will likely try an aftermarket fuse at some point, but I think I need to sort out the fundamentals first. |