HiFi fuses

[paolob]

Many of my audiophile friends insistently advise me to use "hifi grade" fuses.
However, I do not have anyone willing to lend fuses for listening tests.
I Own a completely Linn chain - except for Kikkin, which I really like. (linn klimax ds renew + kikkin + 4200 + 6100 + akurate 242 aktive).
What do you suggest me? Is there a SQ improvement using audio grade fuses (e.g. SR Blue or Orange …or isoclean, or hifi tunes)?
It has been talked about in magazines for many years but I would like to have your opinion.

[markiteight]

Hi and welcome to the forum, paolob!

Yes, fuses have an affect on performance. I remember reading a post from Fredrik where he mentions determining the best fuse and the best orientation. I did a quick search and can't find that post, but I did find this:

Linn never check fuse direction, so you should try it. You will find that for a given fuse brand and type, it's always the same direction. For example; the fuses I use in Kinki and Slipsik should have their numbers (230V 100mA) towards the power cable.

Fuse directionality is probably one of the most laughable audio tweaks around. Most people shake their heads and dismiss you as a moron before they actually hear the difference themselves. I have no explanation for the effect other than that the sound difference it produces is very similar to what you get when you reverse the direction of a mains cable (power cord or a piece of cable inside a machine).

One reason why fuse directionality appears silly could be that it's so small. People tend to think that since the piece of wire inside the fuse is so short, the possible directionality should be close to nonexistent. But the thing is that directionality, in my opinion, does not increase with the length of a wire. Reversing a short wire makes about as much difference as reversing a very long wire.

There will almost definitely be a sound change with "hifi grade" fuses, but only an evaluation using the Tune Method can determine if that change is an actual improvement. Given our experience with other "audiophile approved" accessories it is highly unlikely that any of the audio grade fuses will offer any genuine improvement. My suggestion would be to start with Fredrik's recommendation above and avoid the overpriced hifi jewelry!

[lejonklou]

Welcome to the forum paolob!

I have tested a lot of standard fuses and a few "audio grade" ones. The audio grade ones have, musically speaking, performed the worst. By far!

Often they have a spectacular or even strange sound character, which is enough for many audiophiles to say "Wow, how can a simple fuse make such a big difference?!" And then they fail to make a critical evaluation.

Unless someone trustworthy comes up with a solid and specific recommendation, my advice is to avoid all fuses labeled "audio". The main purpose of that label is to be able to sell it for ten to a hundred times more.

By the way, the same thing applies to many other electronic components. "Audio grade" usually means it's a worse performing version of the less expensive original. It's rather depressing.

[paolob]

Thanks, I will treasure your suggestions.

[Ianw]

I don’t have any views on fuses.

However, expanding on cable ‘directionality’ regarding power cables and interconnects; what about directionality of internal component wiring in power supplies, amplifiers and speakers etc?

[lejonklou]

I don’t have any views on fuses.

However, expanding on cable ‘directionality’ regarding power cables and interconnects; what about directionality of internal component wiring in power supplies, amplifiers and speakers etc?

I test every part that I evaluate for directionality, it's just a part of the evaluation process. Most components are directional, a few are not (or I've failed to notice the difference). Whenever they are, I mark them and make instructions with photographs and drawings for my assembling company. That ensures everything is directionally optimized in my products.

There are some interesting patterns when it comes to directionality. In one type of circuit, it follows a certain rule (or pattern), while for another it can be a different rule.

[Tenorman]

.

[Spannko]

Can you post a comparison video Tenorman?

[Tenorman]

Unfortunately, I’m very technically inept so don’t think I even know how to post a video…lol . And frankly I don’t think me posting a low res video from my iphone would do anything to convince people one way or another as to the legitimacy of audiophile fuses ?
Nor was I trying to convince anyone in my post .
I was simply relating my own initial extreme skepticism in regard to the effectiveness audiophile fuses (in a very friendly non contrarian fashion) and my delightful surprise at the not subtle improvement I heard in my system using the SR fuses . Whatever choice others make in regard to fuses is all good in my mind . Long live JS Bach !

[matthias]

Some years ago I modified all my devices with new internal mains/earth wiring and connectors. In this context I removed all fuses. I was very happy with the result and never looked back. There has never been an issue and I switch my system completely off when I am not at home for several days. So the topic "fuses" is finished for me.

[Tenorman]

Some years ago I modified all my devices with new internal mains/earth wiring and connectors. In this context I removed all fuses. I was very happy with the result and never looked back. There has never been an issue and I switch my system completely off when I am not at home for several days. So this topic is finished for me.

Me too ! I being someone who is embarrassingly technically inept I have absolutely no idea what you’re taking about - but getting rid of fuses (be they audiophile or non-audiophile ) in the chain of things sounds like a very sensible idea. Swapping out fuses is about is as far as my technical savvy goes . Happy listening

[matthias]

Happy listening

Audiophile fuses are pure madness, I "recommend" reading something like that:

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/ ... use.32202/

Maybe better than using exotic fuses is direct soldering without fuse holder:

fuse_pic.jpg

[Tenorman]

Happy listening

Audiophile fuses are pure madness, I recommend reading something like that:

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/ ... use.32202/

Maybe better than using exotic fuses is direct soldering without fuse holder:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/rockna- ... t-17225420

Yes , I’m very familiar with all of the differing opinions regarding fuses ( professional and otherwise ) on the many audiophile forums available online .

I’ll leave the endless exhausting debate over the effectiveness of specialist fuses , cables etc to others . It’s a fruitless debate as neither side will ever convince the other . Very much like the current political climate in the USA lol

I trust my ears implicitly. I being someone who is inherently skeptical felt compelled to share my very unexpectedly positive experience using one particular brand of specialist fuse.
Perhaps I should have known better

As far as me attempting to do my own soldering ? Now that would be madness ! Happy listening

[Spannko]

I don’t think me posting a low res video from my iphone would do anything to convince people one way or another as to the legitimacy of audiophile fuses ?

You’d be surprised Tenorman! Phone videos can be very revealing 🙂

[Tenorman]

Perhaps ? But I don’t have the energy or the slightest interest in going down the rabbit hole of trying to convert other forum members by posting comparison videos or debating endlessly. .
My initial post about fuses was not meant as a rebuttal against anyone else’s strongly beliefs in that regard.
I was simply posting my own positive personal experience .
Take it or leave it . I really don’t care either way if anyone agrees with me - it’s all good . Besides that , I’m sure there are already lots comparison videos already available on YouTube for anyone who’s interested. I think I’ll move on now to a different topic .

[matthias]

improvement they brought in clarity , detail , and improvement in tone was undeniably impressive

This forum here is different to other forums.
We are looking for improvements regarding musicality and not regarding the typical audiophile terms which lead you into a rabbit hole.
It is very well described here:
viewtopic.php?p=50#p50

[Hermann]

The rules say so and therefore is the purpose of the forum. On the other hand, the terminology used by Tenormen already plays a role in the description of musicality, are in this respect not absurd. If the clarity of a presentation or the level of detail increases, everyone should get the impression that it is better. The question arises, in what way better? Actually in the direction of musicality or position of single notes? Is the meaning of the musical composition better recognized? Or does it simply drop a curtain? Are the notes more clearly connected, so that some guitar riffs form a unity in context to the other musicians? Or do I now know that someone is coughing in the front left of the 7th row 3.7m from the solo violin? Or that a subway was running a few meters below the concert hall during the recording? I have already read everything in this context.

In this forum almost everything is different, related to weighting of system descriptions, to put it simply. Therefore, in my opinion, general attributes such as transparency, sound, etc. play a certain role in the perception and should also be allowed to be described in the form, if they follow the musical thought of the forum.

Incidentally, I remember very well when the subject of fuses came up and suddenly appeared products with exorbitantly high prices. I never joined the trend and have no desire to change that. To my knowledge Naim was or is aware of that aspect and Fredrik's statment describes everything.

However, the difference between an automatic and a screwed fuse in the electrical house connection can be heard very well. In this respect, the electrical supply should not be disregarded.

[Tenorman]

improvement they brought in clarity , detail , and improvement in tone was undeniably impressive

This forum here is different to other forums.
We are looking for improvements regarding musicality and not regarding the typical audiophile terms which lead you into a rabbit hole.
It is very well described here:
viewtopic.php?p=50#p50

“ improvements regarding musicality” if that’s not a perfect example of pretentious audiophile babble then I don’t know what is ? On the contrary , your condescending response to my very friendly genuine description of what I heard couldn’t be more typical of the petty sanctimony I’ve observed posted on “other forums” .

[Defender]

improvement they brought in clarity , detail , and improvement in tone was undeniably impressive

This forum here is different to other forums.
We are looking for improvements regarding musicality and not regarding the typical audiophile terms which lead you into a rabbit hole.
It is very well described here:
viewtopic.php?p=50#p50

“ improvements regarding musicality” if that’s not a perfect example of pretentious audiophile babble then I don’t know what is ? On the contrary , your condescending response to my very friendly genuine description of what I heard couldn’t be more typical of the petty sanctimony I’ve observed posted on “other forums” .

I can not see anything which you call „petty sanctimony“ in the response from matthias.

[lejonklou]

Hi Tenorman and welcome to the forum!

The key to understanding what we mean by improvements regarding musicality lies in becoming familiar with our method of evaluation. You can read about it here: https://www.lejonklou.com/wp-content/up ... Method.pdf

It’s important to know that the Tune Method is a skill that most of us have to practice in order to use and understand (took me a good while). It’s a bit similar to how you learn to tune an instrument like a guitar or a piano by ear, requiring you to focus your listening in a particular way. It’s not some theoretical idea and I would say that it’s the exact opposite to pretentious audiophile babble.

[lejonklou]

Regarding the fuses in Boazu, there are four of them; two in each power supply. They are not cartridge fuses that you can remove and replace, but tiny sealed cans that are soldered to the circuit board of the power supply.

These fuses only blow if the power supply fails critically, in which case the entire power supply is replaced. I can only recall this happening once in a Boazu.

[matthias]

tiny sealed cans that are soldered to the circuit board of the power supply

Wow!

[tpetsch]

Perhaps ? But I don’t have the energy or the slightest interest in going down the rabbit hole of trying to convert other forum members by posting comparison videos or debating endlessly. .
My initial post about fuses was not meant as a rebuttal against anyone else’s strongly beliefs in that regard.
I was simply posting my own positive personal experience .
Take it or leave it . I really don’t care either way if anyone agrees with me - it’s all good . Besides that , I’m sure there are already lots comparison videos already available on YouTube for anyone who’s interested. I think I’ll move on now to a different topic .

I've yet to see and/or hear just one convincing video that as much as even tingles my curiosity further concerning "HiFi" fuses, if you see one that that reveals the HiFi fuse as more tuneful that the standard Buss types please post it here as I'd love to hear it. ...But I would like to know more details about those "tiny sealed cans that are soldered to the circuit board" ones that Frederic is talking about?

[lejonklou]

The fuses in Boazu that I mentioned are nothing spectacular, they’re used in lots of electronics. In your computer, TV, etc.

Search for ‘pcb fuse’ and you’ll find a crazy amount of varieties.

A disadvantage is that they’re not easy to replace, but usually the design of the circuit is such that they only blow when something’s gone really wrong.

An advantage is that there are no mating surfaces that can corrode. Everything’s hard wired.

[matthias]

It seems we had in this thread another case of necroposting by a new account.

My suggestion would be that old threads get locked after a certain time and only existing members can unlock an old thread.