fuses - the $39 ones or the 85 cent ones

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.

What about the bird's reaction to magnet fuses?

Room treatments are not a "tweak". Your room/system interface is one of the most important things(actually the biggest component) you can possibly address when setting up. This has always been true whether regarding a home listening room or live music venue, and the first thing I've attended to(professionally, or at home) since the 80's. A lousy system has a better chance of sounding good in a properly sent up venue than an excellent system in a poor one. As far as DBT: What knowledge do have that either of the persons involved have any experience with live music, or any experience/training with regards to critical listening? Why would I give any credence to a report from someone that may never listen to actual music, or have any idea of what it sounds like(ala Julian Hirsch)?The fuses we are supposed to be discussing in this thread have never been recommended for replacing those in speakers(as far as I've read). Therefore- I'd have to ignore any remarks as to whether they are efficacious in that capacity. They are designed to provide the greatest benefit when placed in the power supply(AC input or DC rails). In these circuits, I've found the Hi-Fi Tuning fuses to increase the "organics" of my system's reproduction. IE: Vocals sound more human, I can perceive the wood resonance in double bass, piano and drum better. the air column in a closely mic'd sax is audible(the list could go on). To me the realism gained by installing the fuses is well worth the price of admission.

Rodman99999 says it well! I wonder how many audiophiles are grounded in the sense of having experienced live music on a regular basis and or have had the opportunity to experience various venue acoustics. The room your in is the main component of your system. Charles Hansen is doing just such a demo, illustrating how a cheap stereo can sound better than a high end rig given a better acoustical environment. The fuses add more acoustic pixelation to the music...clarity, energy and tonality all improved.