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Isoclean fuses: definitely worth it

I just installed Isoclean fuses in my Naim CD5x and Nait5i. I sort of felt like I was going to the fringe by installing these but keep in mind they are right in the AC path so it made sense to me after installing a dedicated line and an "audiophile grade" AC receptacle.

I tried Buss ceramic fuses beforehand and they were just slightly better than stock.

The Isocleans, however, definitely provided a noticeable improvement over stock or Buss ceramics. In a nutshell: smoother treble, a touch more overall resolution (especially in the mids and treble) and elimination of a bit of grain and veiling. Polarity does matter. I checked a few times to verify but arrow down for my equipment was more natural (less bright) than arrow up. You may prefer the other polarity, of course. Note that they didn't affect rhythm as many products do (especially a lot of isolation devices) nor did they add any brightness (at least in the polarity I prefer).

They're not cheap for what they are ($25 per fuse) but the improvement was definitely worth $50 total investment to me.
greg7
greeni
92 posts
 
Well to be blunt there may be good reason that the HF Tuning will "won across the board" versus Isoclean, as another Gon' member put it. The simple truth is though Iso and HF are priced similar, they are not made equal but more likely the result of usual inflated pricing with Isoclean products.

Whether it is possible to get HF Tuning in Europe at halve the price I can't tell, but I would certainly be interested in getting audio cables at 1/3 of what they sold for in the US. I would recommend anyone thinking Isoclean "definitely worth it" to take the benefit of the doubt. There are better choices out there.
tabl10s's avatar
tabl10s
1,075 posts
 
I just read that Paul McGowan has Ceramic and foam fuses.
greeni
92 posts
 
I think it may be the AHP fuse from Germany that you are referring with Paul McGowan. Featured in PS audio's newsletter this month.
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
in what direction does current flow in AC currents? Or, what does polarity have do do with installing fuses

This is so simple that many overlook it (same thing for directionality of cabling). It is the direction of POWER flow which is of concern here, and *power* only flows in one direction: from source to load.
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Sorry Bob Bundas but power doesn't flow, but is a concept to describe how much power is consumed in the load. P=VxA. We know that the current reverses itself according to its frequency, but the power consumed in the load is a function of the current and the voltage and is directionless.
respectfully, Bob P.
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