fuses - the $39 ones or the 85 cent ones

My audio philosophy in a nut shell. Components sound different. Room treatments are the most significant tweak. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. We don't all have the same level of audio awareness. Audio DBT does not prove audible differences are there or not. They only prove the differences could or could not be detected under the test conditions.
Ok, so here's my problem with tweaks. If I set a can of Coca Cola on the table next to my listening chair it DOES affect the sound waves in the room. In some way it has to. Agree? Can I hear the difference? No I can't. Can you hear the difference? Maybe. Your sonic awareness may be that good. Can you prove it? I don't really care unless there is a wager involved. Guess which bet I'd take.
Ok so here's where I draw the line. There are people who not only claim they can hear a difference with that can of coke, they also claim they whether it was a can of coke or Pepsi! Not only do they hear a difference, they have a definite preference!!

So Timrhu, do I discern from your post that your a Coke fiend?

A friend of mine replaced the in line fuse on his BAT VK31SE with a maget non fuse I lent him..One fuse nothing else,he said it was a dramatic difference, his teenage son agreed. So did his bird who has an open cage and flys about.Seems that when my friend plays his usual course of music that the bird reacts more alertly and with more frequent and louder vocal outbursts. Same music same hifi no more 28 gauge wire connecting a preamp to the local electrical vendor. Whether skin or feathers were worn both were startled by the difference. Tom

So Theaudiotweak, are you saying magnet non fuses are for the birds?

Well I do prefer Coke to Pepsi. Remember the Pepsi challenge from years ago? Even though I have always preferred Coke when I took the challenge I thought the Pepsi was better.

Kind of like listening to a set of super detailed speakers recommended by Stereophile at a dealer. They sound wonderful in the shop. When you get them home you are amazed at how much more you're hearing. After running them in for a few months you realize they're driving you out of the room with harsh treble. Pretty soon you notice you are spending less time listening and don't miss it. Time to list them on Audiogon. Seriously, been there done that.