fuses - the $39 ones or the 85 cent ones

Tvad, since most live music events use amplifiers in poor rooms, I tend to agree, but I would not go so far as to suggest that live music is unobtainable and that we should be happy with good music reproduction rather than realism. I typically do not have access to quality performances so it thrills me to have such performances well captured on my system. That is always my quest.

Rodman99999...Most "live" music these days is electronicly amplified and delivered using loudspeakers. Even Opera, where the Diva may wear a mic. Classical chamber music and jazz may be the exception.

So it is not unreasonable to prefer one's own speakers.

Mr E- This past weds. nite I enjoyed an evening of acoustic jazz, performed by a quartet of local musicians, hosted by the University of Indianapolis(http://www.county29.net/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17251&Itemid=99999999). A specially designed room of excellent acoustics, and seating tiered to enable all attending a balanced perspective, without someone's head "shadowing" the sound. Granted- much of what is available out there is amplified and in less than perfect venues, but there is also much available to those that really love music. That music is amplified DOES NOT indicate that it has to be other than natural. There are many of us who maintain the goal of presenting music to the audience(live or recorded) unaltered except for the DB level. Great pains are taken(by those that have the means and desire) to insure this is accomplished by way of proper hall design, careful selection of sound reinforcement equipment, and staffing with people that have taken the time to train their hearing to recognize acoustic anomolies. Of course: Even in a live venue there will be many different perspectives depending on where one is seated. BUT- Exposure to the real thing will always give an individual a fresh window through which to view his/her own system/listening room/music. That there are large numbers of people that don't bother with live music, and only compare audio equipment with audio equipment doesn't bother me in the least. What goes on in their listening environment is their business. For me(again) anything that brings my home experience closer to the recording session is well worth the effort or expense. To avert the next response: Yes I do have recordings, personally done, that I can tap as a reference. If those are faithfully reproduced, I am confident that I'm hearing what is recorded on the media I'm playing accurately. There will be the ubiquitous variables between other performances/recordings and my speakers, but I've sought to remove as many as possible in my own system. That the fuses in question allow for a more "natural" presentation of music has prompted me to invest in more. Anyone that has a similar love for music, discerning ears, and a resolving system in their home would do well to try them.

Rodman99999..."acoustic jazz" you said. Exactly my point.
At nearby Tanglewood (BSO summer music site) the Osawa hall is a relatively small venue designed specifically for chamber music and the like, and is completely acoustic. But the main "shed", where Beethoven holds forth, is electronicly amplified. I only attend if I am offered free tickets because the concerts, which are broadcast on a good local FM station, sound lots better on my home system. Even on the Bose :-)