New "Hi-Fi Tuning Fuses"

[emaidel]

A while back, I posted a thread extolling the virtues of the Hi-Fi Tuning Fuses I had installed in my DQ-10's (one "main" and one in the path of the tweeters). I found a very significant improvement in the overall sound of the speakers from the installation of these babies, and would now like to replace the five fuses in my Adcom GFA-5800 amp with them, especially since the fuses were designed primarily for electronic equipment rather than speakers. My question is: the fuses are listed as "ABC" fuses, 10 Amps and 250 Volts. Does anybody know if "ABC" means fast, or slow blow?

The fuses are currently on sale for $34.95 (down from $39.95) at all online retailers who sell them, but spending over $150 for five fuses, only to buy the wrong ones is something I really don't want to do.

Naturally, I"ll post my observations once I install the correct fuses, and I hope that will be as praiseworthy a comment on them as was my post regarding installing them in my speakers.

[Feanor]

A while back, I posted a thread extolling the virtues of the Hi-Fi Tuning Fuses I had installed in my DQ-10's (one "main" and one in the path of the tweeters). I found a very significant improvement in the overall sound of the speakers from the installation of these babies, and would now like to replace the five fuses in my Adcom GFA-5800 amp with them, especially since the fuses were designed primarily for electronic equipment rather than speakers. My question is: the fuses are listed as "ABC" fuses, 10 Amps and 250 Volts. Does anybody know if "ABC" means fast, or slow blow?

The fuses are currently on sale for $34.95 (down from $39.95) at all online retailers who sell them, but spending over $150 for five fuses, only to buy the wrong ones is something I really don't want to do.

Naturally, I"ll post my observations once I install the correct fuses, and I hope that will be as praiseworthy a comment on them as was my post regarding installing them in my speakers.

Don't know off hand, but why not look at the Parts ConneXion site where the product listings are relatively clear and easy to understand.

The idea of replacing the fuse at the power input seems far-fetched to me and I wouldn't squander my money on it. If there happens to be fuses between the transformer and the large, power supply capacitors, I wouldn't worry about these either. On the other hand, upgrading fuses after the p/s capacitors and before the actual amp circuits would seem to have good potential for an improvement.

[Luvin Da Blues]

emaidel, ABCs are fast-acting fuses whereas MDAs are the time-delay (slow-blow) fuses.

[emaidel]

emaidel, ABCs are fast-acting fuses whereas MDAs are the time-delay (slow-blow) fuses.

That's the information I needed. Thanks.

[hifitommy]

the line fuse isnt likely to improve the sound but the internal fuses (the other four) are in the speaker output power path, just as the ones in your dahlquists. in the speakers is a FINE place for the fuses.

i have an adcom 555II which i love the sound of and have given some thought to putting those fuses in the amp. still, the cost is rather high for fuses and they are delicate.

once while playing the LP of mickey hart's DAFOS, all four of the fuses vaporized when the 'beast' hit the floor. POOF, that could be $120 at those prices. keeping a bunch of extras seems to be not cost effective.

[emaidel]

Well, I took the plunge and shelled out $200 for five fuses, plus overnight shipping, and they arrived yesterday.

The first thing I did was replace the main power fuse to see if the Hi-Fi Tuning fuse made any difference. Well, it certainly did, though the difference was subtle. There was a noticeable increase in upper-end definition, and a bit more "oomph" in the dynamics. That even this amount of difference could be had simply by replacing a line fuse is amazing.

But what was truly amazing was the sound after replacing the remaining four fuses. If I were to make an analogy, it would be the same as the before and after if you have your car tuned up, put on new tires, and have the wheels balanced and aligned: while the car may have performed well before, now everything works better. It starts more easily; it runs more smoothly; the transmission shifts more readily; the handling is better; and it rides more smoothly. In short, while good before, it's a whole lot better now.

I haven't yet had the time to do any extended listening, but each and every disc I played yesterday sounded remarkably better than it had before, along with that familiar and pleasant, "Gee, I've never heard that before..." sensation.. There is as huge improvement in upper end detail, and in particular, the delineation of individual sounds as opposed to one, homogenous sound, especially when there's a lot going on, as in a massed choral piece with the entire chorus singing along with the orchestra playing. Pin-point stereo imaging, something my Dahlquist DQ-10's have long been famous for, is also noticeably improved. In short, everything sounds better, and much better at that.

The Adcom GFA-5800 is a very good amp. Nelson Pass, who designed the amp, has called it the best sounding amp Adcom ever made (perhaps a bit of personal bias here?" I've always been satisfied with its performance, and it seems a perfect match for the DQ-10's, offering 250 watts/channel, and high current, which is what the speakers eat up. Now, it sounds almost like a "new & improved" model, it's that much better!

Once again, my highest recommendation goes to these fuses for their remarkable ability to so greatly improve the sound of a given component. No wonder Stereophile lists them as a "recommended component." I certainly do! Now, I can hardly wait to replace the fuses in my other components!

[emaidel]

Your credentials are admirable, but I too have worked in the audio industry for over 30 years. I've been through the gamut of tweaks that did nothing (Armor-All on CD's, "Magic Pebbles," etc.) and have found many of them to be simply ridiculous. "Ridiculous" is also an apt word to describe the high prices of some interconnects ($3,800 for 1/2 meter cable?), and paying thousands of dollars for something like a record clamp borders on the insane. Still, these fuses - at an admittedly very high price for a fuse - at least to my ears, my wife's ears, and those of a good friend - were worth the expense.

The only way to eliminate you skepticism is for you to try them yourself, but I guess that's not very likely. Oh well,.....

[Auricauricle]

Call me Mr. Cheapskate...

Before I get on the fuse bandwagon, I started today off with a good cleaning. The Polks (7c) use what appears to be BUSSAGC 2 250V (?) fuses. These speaks were purchased second hand and the fuses and holders were pretty grungy. I removed the things (and spent 45 minutes trying to remember where I put 'em) and gave the prongs a good scrubbing and polishing. The same treatment was applied to the fuses. Although the result brought everything to a less-than-gunky shine, they are hardly pristine. Still, the fuses were replaced and the rig was fired back up.

Hard to tell yet if there is a discernable difference, but at this point it was worth a shot. Because the amp is in much better condition, that will go to second tier on the Priority List.

[emaidel]

I started today off with a good cleaning. .

Though I've never done it, the instructions for my Parasound PLD-1100 preamp suggest disconnecting all interconnects and cleaning the contacts about once a year to remove corrosion. Somehow, it seems to me, that since the connections are as tight as they are that corrosion is very unlikely to occur, but that's "what the book says." In my case, I've changed interconnects so often, that cleaning them is rarely a consideration.

The ad hype for the Hi-Fi tuning fuses actually suggests installing them in one direction, then removing them and reversing them to determine in which position they sound better. Considering that I replaced five fuses in my amp, the possible variations are so numerous that I simply can't be bothered. Had I simply replaced one fuse, then I might give it a try, but five? No way!

I also did some more listening today and found another benefit to the installation of these fuses. When comparing the CD to the SACD layer on several hybrid discs, the difference is now much more apparent than it was before. That said, I believe that the fuses make the biggest difference with quality recordings, as the improvement on SACD's is quite remarkable. Then again, I guess this is all in my head...

[Auricauricle]

There are so many ways to skin this cat (think it's 120 for you, em) you can drive yourself plumb crazy. So far, the results of this spruce up is subtle or unnoticeable. Without the benefit of a true AB comparison it's hard to tell right now. Nevertheless, I do reckon that cleanliness of interconnects etc. is a matter of oversight oftentimes. I do clean my discs (with Simichrome) which does improve their performance--but then again, as you succinctly said, "I guess this is all in my head"....

Wassup Fean-o?!

[Feanor]

There are so many ways to skin this cat (think it's 120 for you, em) you can drive yourself plumb crazy. So far, the results of this spruce up is subtle or unnoticeable. Without the benefit of a true AB comparison it's hard to tell right now. Nevertheless, I do reckon that cleanliness of interconnects etc. is a matter of oversight oftentimes. I do clean my discs (with Simichrome) which does improve their performance--but then again, as you succinctly said, "I guess this is all in my head"....

Wassup Fean-o?!

It's always the case for me that I couldn't afford the "shotgun" approach to improving the sound of my system. Also, I have learned over the years that you can nickel-and-dime yourself to the poor house by spending many small sums in the hope of small improvements that don't materialize, thereby loosing the opportunity for real, substantial improvement.

Thus my advice (and hifitommy's) that if you want to try pricey fuses in you amp, start with those directly in the actual signal path or at least, downstream of the power supply rather on the input side. After all, the PS provides thousands of micro-Farads of capacitance moderating the electrical flow; it make more sense to me, if you feel that a cheap fuse is an unwanted filter, put downstream of the big reservoir.

[Auricauricle]

While you're in Sparkle City, you oughtta take a drive to Brevard NC and check out the music there, em....

[Auricauricle]

It's been a few hours since I applied the touch-ups to the fuses, etc. At this point--whether it's a placebo effect or not, I couldn't say--but there appears to be some discernible and qualifiable change already. I spent a couple of hours last night listening to Laurie Anderson's Strange Angels and Emmylou Harris' Wrecking Ball.

The LA was played in a crisp and cohesive fashion that presented much of the subtlety that makes her music so delightfully amazing. LA puts alot into her music, with little details that can be lost if one isn't listening. As well, her voice is multi-varied, and she can belt out or whisper as powerfully or silky-sweetly as any diva in the Met. Conversely, ELH's recording is an especially difficult one. Daniel Lanois' imprinteur well-nigh consumes the album, with plenty of reverb to present a very dense texture within. Many times I have listened to the music befuddled by it's rich density. Last night, much more of the material could be discerned and Harris' voice floated like a ghost above it all, even when the music itself was aloud to escape its etheral moorings now and then.

In sum, I have to say that cleaning up the fuse clips and giving the fuse-contacts a good going over was a good idea. Until I replace the fuses altogether, I would say it was a cost-effective and worthy alternative....

[E-Stat]

In sum, I have to say that cleaning up the fuse clips and giving the fuse-contacts a good going over was a good idea. Until I replace the fuses altogether, I would say it was a cost-effective and worthy alternative....

Don't stop there! I've been regularly cleaning all component and cable contacts using Caig products for a long time. In fact, I still have a bit of Cramolin left over from the 80s. Oxidation happens and will accumulate on most any metal (although the rhodium connectors on the speaker cables seem to be immune). You know you've made progress as soon as you see the greenish-blue residue on your cleaning cloth - and it can make a difference.

rw

[emaidel]

In sum, I have to say that cleaning up the fuse clips and giving the fuse-contacts a good going over was a good idea. Until I replace the fuses altogether, I would say it was a cost-effective and worthy alternative....

My guess is that, if you've discerned this much difference from a cleaning, you're in store for a real treat if you try the Hi-Fi Tuning fuses. Prior to installing them, I removed the existisng fuses in my amp, and simply reversed all of them while I was checking to see what each fuse was, and to make sure the proper fuses were in their appropriate places. I thought I was out of my mind when I listened afterwards and heard a slight, but perceptible difference in clarity. but after reading your post, I suspect I wasn't crazy after all..

[Auricauricle]

I agree absolutely. Every once in a while (or blue moon, whichever comes first), the components are given a good buff-up, with pipe-cleaners, Simichrome, Deoxit, and Q-Tips in attendance. I also lube things up with a dab of Torumat's Contact Conditioner.

And thanks for the tip on Caig. I'll look in on that.

[E-Stat]

And thanks for the tip on Caig. I'll look in on that.

You're already there! Caig Laboratories is the maker of Cramolin and DeoxIT.

rw

[Auricauricle]

Yeah, just noticed it when I did a websearch....Oh, yeah, I'm quick I am...Where's that bullet...?