Wasn't gonna post this...

[09mike69]

Well, this is interesting

Stripped a bit of tri-rated (read flexible multi strand) 1.5mm2 single copper cable and wrapped it around the two fuse posts in the plug and popped the fuse back in to hold the copper in place. EVERYTHING is better sounding. Had it in and out a few times but you'd be deaf not to hear the difference. Spurred on by this I then wired this copper straight into the live terminal along with the live cable and just wrapped it around the live pin of the plug and popped the fuse back in to hold the copper to the pin.

There's a refinement (removal of distortion), and a silence to backgrounds that has improved the soundstage in all directions. Sounds are much better placed and detail is just popping out. There's increased emotional conveyance too I think due to the improved dynamics.

I am hearing further into the mix for sure and you can appreciate the musicians' skills more.

My preconceptions were that this was a waste of time but I was wrong. All I can think is that this has lowered the impedance of the mains supply.

Oh, volume control wasn't touched during comparisons.

Thanks Gaz for posting.

did same thing and didnt notice any difference.

[Firebottle]

I think it is going to be system/gear dependent on whether a difference is heard.

I can appreciate Jez's stance on this but I must add a disclaimer to it. It will be down to how well the power supply/rectifiers/regulators are doing their job of removing mains related perturbations from the equation.

I think Jez is looking/assuming at a perfect power supply section, but not all are perfect.

[Marco]

the OP clearly heard a difference....to HIS ears, as he said....we dont have his ears. i am not claiming there is no benefit to these fuses....just simply this.... i appreciate arkless electronics educated input on matters such as these...level_headed ?...yes... insulting ?.. i didnt think so... agreeable ?...no...

diplomatic ? lol, fuck no..... relevant ? YES definitely.. theres too much snake oil in this game..an it can be expensive...
i really appreciate his opinion
keep it coming, buddy.
p.s. great thread,,,got us all talkin eh

Fair do's, Mike, and I would add a '+1' to that.

Essentially, Jez just needs to brush up on his people skills a bit, and most importantly understand and accept that not everyone thinks the same as he does, and to make allowances for that in future. We've had a chat about that, and he understands.

I like Jez (he knows that), and consider him an asset to the forum, simply because of his technical knowledge and straight talking. I also know he's happy to be here. He just needs to rein-in his 'excesses' a little, that's all

Marco.

[Marco]

I think it is going to be system/gear dependent on whether a difference is heard.

I can appreciate Jez's stance on this but I must add a disclaimer to it. It will be down to how well the power supply/rectifiers/regulators are doing their job of removing mains related perturbations from the equation.

I think Jez is looking/assuming at a perfect power supply section, but not all are perfect.

Have you done that fuse test yet I asked you to do earlier, daftee?

Marco.

[Firebottle]

I haven't got an 'audiophile' fuse Marco ..

..so it would be a bit difficult to test.

[Marco]

Not that bit... I was referring to the testing of an old, well-used standard fuse, versus a brand new standard one (or a group of both, especially including ones with visible 'sagging filaments'), to see if there's any evidence that fuses 'deteriorate' over time, by measuring a higher resistance than they would've done when new....

Go on, give it a go and report back

Marco.

P.S Try and do 'like for like' comparisons, by ensuring that the fuse value and manufacturer, as well as type (clear glass or ceramic-bodied, etc), are the same, in order to keep variables to a minimum.

[Clive]

To be honest I don't know. All I can surmise is the fuse clips and/or the fuse end caps must have been heavily tarnished, and/or the pins of the plug must also have been tarnished/dirty. In removing the plug to 'modify' the fuse these contacts were cleaned. But even so, I find it hard to believe that alone could account for what John heard.

I recently had a 2db to 3db imbalance in my system. The culprit was a slighly tarnished anode cap connection to the driver valve of one channel. I can believe that tarnished fuse contacts could have significant sonic influence.

[struth]

And then a bit of copper wire in place of

[CageyH]

How can you see if a ceramic fuse has a sagging filament?

[struth]

How can you see if a ceramic fuse has a sagging filament?

You take it apart silly