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REVIEW: HiFi-Tuning Fuse Accessory

Model: Fuse
Category: Accessory
Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.95 to 44.95
Description: Gold over silver endcap, silverwire ceramic fuses
Manufacturer URL: HiFi-Tuning
Model Picture: View

Review by oofer on February 16, 2008 at 15:59:16
IP Address: 216.110.206.97
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for the Fuse


These fuses make a positive difference in the sound of my system. I read Robert Deutsch's side bar review in Stereophile (9/07). He started out his article with "Tweaks come and go...." Truer words never spoken.

What led me to act on his advice was the similarity of equipment I employ, and my own empirical experience that better conductors of any type almost always result in better performance. I contacted the Cable Company after I determined exactly the size and value of the fuses I would be needing for this little experiment. In my case, a large 7 amp fuse mounted into the chassis next to the IEC, and after a bit of hood lifting, two small 5 amp fast blow fuses in the output section of my PS Audio HCA-2. The amp itself was modded by RAM, but the fuses were still stock. Chromed end caps with I don't know what as a filament seen through a glass tube.
The HiFi-Tuning fuses are ceramic with gold over silver end caps with a silver trip wire.

A note on conductivity. I tested each fuse for continuity before I installed them with my multimeter. I had the multimeter set to sound. As I touched the end caps with the probes, there was no scratchy sound. It was either connected or not. Now when I pulled the stock fuses out, I tested them. It was much harder to get a good connection. Lots of scratchy sounds. I moved back and forth between the HiFi-Tuning fuse and the stock fuse with the probes. There was a difference just in making that simple connection. A big difference. I was an electrician by trade, and the difference in the two surprised me. But if the HiFi-Tuning fuses were that much easier to connect to, there was positive portent for how they would perform in the amp. Oh, yes, and they are cryo'd, as well.

I am not going to repeat Mr. Deutsch's review. There is a big dose of 'what he said' coming at you. The difference was immediate and obvious to me. And it got better with time. They've been in for two weeks now. The sound is clearer, quicker, especially in the transients, and marvelous.

I am 100% recommending this relatively low cost improvement. For me, it is no-brainer. I never spent so little to get so much improvement in sound, at least not in my memory. I will be changing out the fuses in my other equipment where applicable as budget permits.


Product Weakness: Expense. For a fuse, these babies are not cheap. OTOH, I have spent hundreds just looking for the right IC, and these guys just plug in and work.
Product Strengths: Obvious high quality construction and packaging. Cryo'd. Hey, it is just a fuse--not!


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: PS Audio HCA-2 (modified by Reference Audio Mods--way worth it) + DIY Neotech NEP-3001(UPOCC) Power Cord( from VH Audio) with FIM 302 & 303 UPOCC connectors
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): ps Audio PCA-2+HCPS + VH Audio DIY Flavor 1 (made in the flavor 4 fashion) with FIM 302 and 303 UPOCC connectors.
Sources (CDP/Turntable): marantz SA-8001 SACD/CD with full RAM Mods
Speakers: jBL L200t3 (recently reconed) + LCY 100K Ribbon super tweeters+ACI Force subwoofer
Cables/Interconnects: See oofer's system in Inmate Systems
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, Folk,
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: HiFi-Tuning Fuse Accessory - oofer 15:59:16 02/16/08 (24)

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