HiFi-Tuning Fuses

CactusmanDoug · #1 03-21-2009, 03:41 AM

Hello Roscoehead Community,

A friend of mine in the high-end stereo equipment business turned me on to these amp fuses a while back. I was shown a review article examining an Onkyo stereo pre and power amp (very similar to the Onkyo models I own and use) by a renowned audiophile expert in which this fuse was installed and how he noticed a more open sound from the amp.

My friend explained that all the current that goes to your head runs through a very inexpensive, mass-produced fuse that leaves much to be desired as far as maintaining a clean circuit for your power.

That being said, I decided to order one for my Markbass head and am pleased to report the same thing. The improvement was noticeable and I would recommend this same modification to anyone with a discerning ear.

I am using the "slow blow" fuse with the gold plated ends.

Here's a link if you're further interested:

http://www.ultrasystem.com/usfeaturedprodsFUSE.html

Also the manufacturer's page is:

www.hifi-tuning.com

All the best,

Doug

JOME77 · #2 03-21-2009, 07:13 AM

I would have never thought about a fuse affecting your sound!

I guess that it does make sense though. All of the current to the amp does indeed pass through the fuse.

I am one of those though that bought the Monster cables not because I actually thought that they would sound better but because I was tired of replacing cables all the time. They've certainly improved that scenario.

I guess for the cost, it's worth giving one a try.

CactusmanDoug · #3 03-21-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

I guess for the cost, it's worth giving one a try.

Hey Joe,

When you call ultrasystems, just have your original fuse in hand and the folks will be able to identify which one you need.

CrashClint · #4 03-21-2009, 11:03 AM

Fuses, I don't need no stinkin fuses. I just cut me a piece of copper rod the same size as the fuse.

CactusmanDoug · #5 03-21-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Fuses, I don't need no stinkin fuses. I just cut me a piece of copper rod the same size as the fuse.

Clint,

That is a perfectly acceptable retrofit regarding the Poachdog 500...you can always hope for a substantial power surge to take it out of it's misery.

JOME77 · #6 03-21-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

Clint,

That is a perfectly acceptable retrofit regarding the Poachdog 500..you can always hope for a substantial power surge to take it out of it's misery.

+1

That's what I'm talking about! Throw away/disposable amps. Amp's that you use and lose!

What a great concept in this GAS filled world!

lwrthnwhalepoop · #7 03-21-2009, 12:06 PM

You're not getting the full benefit of your hi-fi fuse unless you're amp is plugged into one of these: http://www.parts-express.com//pe/psh...number=110-439

Be careful when upgrading. You don't always get what you pay for.

My $.02-worth.

lwrthnwhalepoop · #8 03-21-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Fuses, I don't need no stinkin fuses. I just cut me a piece of copper rod the same size as the fuse.

The old trick with a residential fuse box that used the old screw-in buss fuses was to jam a penny down into the fuse socket. Worked every time - at least until the house burned down, anyway.

CactusmanDoug · #9 03-21-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwrthnwhalepoop

You're not getting the full benefit of your hi-fi fuse unless you're amp is plugged into one of these: http://www.parts-express.com//pe/psh...number=110-439

I would never use some cheap plug in like that

...my amp wall socket assembly is made of solid, hand forged Kruegerrands (14 to be exact).

One day I hope to upgrade my house circuitry from the existing 20 gauge aluminum wire.

Gard · #10 03-21-2009, 01:43 PM

...I was afraid you might be serious...I should have known better!

CactusmanDoug · #11 03-21-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

...I was afraid you might be serious...I should have known better!

...that's a good call if history teaches one anything

But, I AM serious.

These little babies actually do change things sonically. I would've never been interested in "fuse upgrades" if I had not read the article myself (I'll provide the link when I find it

), and likely would've given anyone the "Gomer Award" for biting on such a sucker product.

davecheng · #12 03-21-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwrthnwhalepoop

You're not getting the full benefit of your hi-fi fuse unless you're amp is plugged into one of these: http://www.parts-express.com//pe/psh...number=110-439

With this power cord:

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/p...c-330-5ft.html

JOME77 · #13 03-21-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecheng

With this power cord:

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/p...c-330-5ft.html

WOW!

The ultimate power cord!

Yes, you too can have your Analysis Plus Power Oval 2 350IEC/330 Power Cable - 5 ft. (ULTIMATE)
for only ...... $705.00

dataBASS5 · #14 03-21-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

Clint,

That is a perfectly acceptable retrofit regarding the Poachdog 500...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

you can always hope for a substantial power surge to take it out of it's misery.

I'm gonna mess you up, Ese.

CactusmanDoug · #15 03-21-2009, 10:00 PM

Here is a review that best describes what I've experienced with the HiFi-Fuse:

http://www.stereophile.com/powerline...use/index.html

Active Reasoner · #16 03-22-2009, 04:59 AM

Thank God I play Rock n' Roll.......

JOME77 · #17 03-22-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Active Reasoner

Thank God I play Rock n' Roll.......

lol

Come to think about it, all of these wonderful audiophile devices are probably negated when your cooling fan switches on!

....or when the rest of the band comes in!

Still, they're great for gigging in a laboratory!

bongomania · #18 03-22-2009, 08:25 AM

I'm extremely skeptical... this type of product is laughed out of every discussion involving electronic engineers rather than easily-fooled audiophile consumers. But part of me does think it makes sense... a typical fuse really is a very poor wire.

The power cords and outlets linked above are pure snake oil and fraud because they literally cannot improve the power that is fed into them by the household wiring, nor can their supposed noise-filtering properties have any affect on the DC power which actually runs the entire amp circuit. But a common fuse has much less conductivity than household wiring. It makes a drop of sense that a "more conductive" fuse would make a difference.

Hmmm.... As I said, I'm very skeptical. Also wondering if the only reason this is in the Roscoe forum is because the OP expects approval from fellow Roscoephiles. But again there's a grain of potential sense to it, so I'm open to learning more about this fuse... I'll have to run it by some EE's I know and see whether they think the premise holds water.

CactusmanDoug · #19 03-23-2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Hmmm.... As I said, I'm very skeptical. Also wondering if the only reason this is in the Roscoe forum is because the OP expects approval from fellow Roscoephiles. But again there's a grain of potential sense to it, so I'm open to learning more about this fuse... I'll have to run it by some EE's I know and see whether they think the premise holds water.

Hi Bongo,

The reason I decided to post regarding this topic in the Roscoe forum was to share my technical experience (please read original post carefully) with some fine fellows I've been acquainted with for a while.

You are certainly welcome to do whatever you want in researching this or any other product discussed in this forum (or any other for that matter) and whatever conclusion you embrace is fine with me.

I guess what I'm trying to explain is this forum is a place where adult Roscoe owners and guests discuss, joke around, dialog and keep one another informed of bass (usually Roscoe bass) related gear and topics...I myself don't have a great need to "find approval" or "gain acceptance" concerning a fuse or any other specialty product.

Have a good week,

Doug

Gard · #20 03-23-2009, 05:46 AM

OK, this thread REALLY doesn't belong here, as it's not directly a discussion of Roscoe basses, and is at best tangentally applicable to the topic.

However, as long as it remains polite (and it has so far), it will stay. I have seen these threads turn ugly too many times, and if this one starts to get that way, I'll nuke it with extreme prejudice (I believe the A-10 in my avatar is nuke rated...

...if not, the Vulcan cannon/gatling gun will most likely be almost as effective

).

For the record, I'm of a like mind with Bongo. I find these claims somewhat difficult to take with less than a few grains of salt, and I'd be willing to bet that any realisitic improvement is marginal to barely noticeable in a controlled situation (i.e. studio, your home with no other ambient noise), and is most likely totally LOST in a gigging or rehearsing situation. The power cords are an absolute joke, and are snake oil of the highest order - people buying into them have been duped, people selling them should be drawn and quartered.