Audiophile Fuses

[Republicoftexas69]

Interesting thread, but I am glad I have no fuses

Now I do not, SDFB on all my component.

 

[Geoffkait]

Wil asked, “Assuming there is in fact a correct direction, how does one know what direction that is in your typical fuse holder?

Are you referring to the fuse holder or the fuse in the fuse holder?

 

[highstream]

So here’s a question for y’all, why does directionality for fuses make such a big difference in the sound? After all it’s such a tiny wire in both length and diameter. Is it because the wire diameter is so small that when it’s pulled through the final die the deformation of the metal crystal structure goes all the way through the wire, whereas for larger gauge wire the deformation occurs mostly on the surface and just below it? Thus, more moving electrons are affected, whereas for larger gauge wire only electrons traveling near the surface would be affected.

This is how I think of it from a non technical standpoint: If one thinks of the fuse as a mini power cord (with an extra feature), that is, as both an extension of the cord feeding the component and the entrance point to the component’s power supply, then it ultimately determines the quality of what gets through. From this standpoint, aftermarket fuses are more or less, depending on their make up (“quality” and voicing), telling us about what our power cords have to offer — and what we’ve been missing with OEM fuses due to a faulty assumption about their role.

Wil asked, “Assuming there is in fact a correct direction, how does one know what direction that is in your typical fuse holder?

Are you referring to the fuse holder or the fuse in the fuse holder?

As I mentioned a few posts back, the direction of electricity in the fuse holder is I believe set by industry standard as back to front (screw-in) and left to right (tray). Knowing that, I’m missing the distinction you’re asking Wil about.

 

[Geoffkait]

The electrons flow (wiggle) at slow speed back and forth in the fuse wire so it doesn’t matter which wire + or - the fuse/fuse holder is attached to. It can be either plus or minus. There is no standard. Also, fuses in speakers are not like power cords. Fuses can be at the point AC power comes into the component or *anywhere in the signal path* I.e., non-AC power, non-60 Hz, where electrons alternate at the instantaneous audio frequency, as opposed to 60 Hz.

 

[highstream]

The electrons flow (wiggle) at slow speed back and forth in the fuse wire so it doesn’t matter which wire + or - the fuse/fuse holder is attached to. It can be either plus or minus. There is no standard. Also, fuses in speakers are not like power cords. Fuses can be at the point AC power comes into the component or *anywhere in the signal path* I.e., non-AC power, non-60 Hz, where electrons alternate at the instantaneous audio frequency, as opposed to 60 Hz.

Have you ever seen an external audio fuse holder that wasn’t back to front or left to right (from the back)? I’ve asked different audio companies several times and always gotten the same answer. Since the fuse holders being used are OEM looking, I’ve assumed it was an industry standard.

 

[Geoffkait]

Funny there’s a standard for fuse holders but not for fuse direction.

 

[highstream]

Fuse direction depends on the manufacturing process and materials used, which perhaps depends on how much the developer wants to put into it.

 

[Geoffkait]

If the wire is pulled through a die, it’s directional. All (metal) wire is directional, and all fuses are directional, regardless of whether the manufacturer believes in directionality or not. And even if he does believe in directionality but doesn’t control his fuses for directionality like, say, Isoclean, their fuses are still directional. Ditto cable manufacturers.

 

[treitz3]

Gentlemen, good evening to you.

Once again, this thread has veered off from audiophile fuses.....into a different topic. If anyone would like to debate the directionality of fuses further? Please open up another thread.

The folks that come here to learn about fuses keep getting distracted on differing topics, other that what their experiences were with different fuses. It is understood that directionality is part of the equation, but veering off topic like this is a completely different subject.

Tom

 

[Geoffkait]

I submit directionality is at the very heart of fuse discussions. Actually looking back, the 3rd comment on this fuse thread raised the subject of fuse directionality. The subject of directionality also is important generally, for how electricity works in audio systems.

In comment 3 of this thread Steve Williams, site owner and founder, administrator wrote,

“I for one am the "Ultimate Tweak" but I have to ask you how a fuse can reduce distortion and grunge as well as tightening up the imaging

I also have to ask about directionality. I cannot imagine how the fuse is directional and if used in the wrong direction can harm your equipment. This makes absolutely no sense to my simple mind

any electrical engineers out there that can help.”

 

[treitz3]

With all due respect, you do not see all of what we see. There have been constant requests by members who subscribe to this thread (publicly and privately) who want to learn about shared observations about audiophile fuses, along with a plethora of reports that reveal members violating the TOS of this forum because they are talking about the poster and not the subject at hand.

All that is being requested here is that if you want to have a heated debate about the directionality of fuses? Make a dedicated thread about it, if you are that passionate about discussing that particular topic.

Tom

 

[treitz3]

Gentlemen, please. This is not up for debate. Posts have been deleted and this thread will be closed for a period of time.

When it reopens, the subject matter will remain on topic or it will be closed for good.

A very simple request was made and as mentioned before, if you are passionate about the directionality of fuses? Make another thread about it. It's as simple as that. Enough with the bickering and off topic posts on this thread.

Tom

 

[treitz3]

This thread will reopen now. Please be forewarned that if ANY discussion of directionality happens? All posts will be deleted, so please do not waste your time in trying to respond.

The topic is audiophile fuses and what they can and can not do to your system.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation, and for those who have waited patiently? We do appreciate your cooperation and patience. We also offer our sincere apologies for your inconvenience.

Carry on with the discussion, please.

Tom

 

[SeagoatLeo]

This thread will reopen now. Please be forewarned that if ANY discussion of directionality happens? All posts will be deleted, so please do not waste your time in trying to respond.

The topic is audiophile fuses and what they can and can not do to your system.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation, and for those who have waited patiently? We do appreciate your cooperation and patience. We also offer our sincere apologies for your inconvenience.

Carry on with the discussion, please.

Tom

I have responded to the newer opened https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/fuse-and-cable-directionality.38544/ post With the personal and very extended friends experiences on directionality, go there or else "Tom" will dump this 77 page discussion.

 

[treitz3]

Thank you for doing what was asked weeks ago. Such an easy task, yet so hard...

The subscribers to this thread who would like to learn about shared experiences on audiophile fuses can now read about what they have actually subscribed too. I will thank you for them in advance.

Tom

 

[audiom3]

I ordered a Nano liquid fuse from the Cable Co about a week ago. I have the money to waste, so why not try one for myself. I'm going to try it in my Lumin U2 (not the mini). If I can hear a positive change, I'll most likely order a bunch more for my other components.

 

[Republicoftexas69]

I ordered a Nano liquid fuse from the Cable Co about a week ago. I have the money to waste, so why not try one for myself. I'm going to try it in my Lumin U2 (not the mini). If I can hear a positive change, I'll most likely order a bunch more for my other components.

Have fun.

 

[Geoffkait]

I ordered a Nano liquid fuse from the Cable Co about a week ago. I have the money to waste, so why not try one for myself. I'm going to try it in my Lumin U2 (not the mini). If I can hear a positive change, I'll most likely order a bunch more for my other components.

One can’t help wondering what the Nano liquid fuse is, perhaps Graphene In a non-conductive solution. Perhaps Graphene in solution with a damping fluid. One also wonders how the Nano liquid fuse compares with the AM Beeswax fuse. I’ve owned an AM fuse, maybe the one just before Beeswax, for my all-tube headphone amp of yore, it sounded great. It replaced an Isoclean fuse, which sounded very good too, the fuse for the headphone amp is located right where the AC power cord comes into the amp.

 

[audiom3]

I was going to swap fuses back to the stock one this weekend but being as I have 30 days to try the Nano fuse, I think I'll do it next weekend. If I can motivate myself, I'll pull out the tripod and my Zoom H4n Pro and record with and without the fuse in my system. Can null tests check for (all) phase anomalies?

 

[audiom3]

Fuse was no different from stock one in my Lumin U2. If anything, I prefer the stock fuse from samples that I recorded but I forgot to disable damn auto record level on my Zoom mic. So in amplifying the files, they don't look exactly the same. I don't think it was the difference between the fuses though. It was operator error in the process. Either way, I heard zero difference after spending 3 weeks with the Nano Fuse. Attaching screen shots of the samples in Audition.