Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

Return to Tweakers' Asylum

What break-in changes to expect after fuse replacement?

77.236.0.201
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 03:39:10
Japesgalore
Audiophile

Posts: 212
Joined: September 25, 2007
 Had to change out the fuse on my amp - the old one blew. Didn't go any up-market route here, just got a 10c replacement. The amp seems a little finicky on startup so I'm afraid of spending any real kind of money on a fuse just in case it blows at some point too. I've had 2 go out in the last 3 years - is that normal?

I remember reading somewhere that fuses ought to be changed once a year or so. I'd had mine for about two but wasn't expecting anything from the replacement. In fact, I was quite amazed by the impact it had had. I haven't tested directionality yet, to see if maybe the old one was in the wrong way round, but the increase in detail, bass and spaceousness I'd heard were quite starling. I could play at a louder volume without being bugged as much.

HOWEVER, that has changed, and now I'm hearing some glare/brightness again. Is that just me finding issue with the new sound, after the initial honeymoon period, or do fuses go through a rollercoaster break-in period in the way most other changes seem to do?

RE: What break-in changes to expect after fuse replacement?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 22:37:12
RadioWonder
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Location: Arizona
Joined: March 16, 2003
 You can improve the sound of a standard fuse by cleaning the metal fuse ends
with metal polish. It will take away some of the brightness.

Make sure you have the correct fuse for your amp. Both in amperage and fast
or slow blow type. Also a loose fuse holder can cause heat(and amperage) to build up and premature failure. Fuse blowing in not normal. Have a professional check out your amp.

RE: What break-in changes to expect after fuse replacement?, posted on November 2, 2009 at 02:03:30
Japesgalore
Audiophile

Posts: 212
Joined: September 25, 2007
 I did use contact cleaner on the ends and thought that that may be one of the reasons for the improvment in sound. Then I started to wonder why the sound seemed to be getting worse...

My amp seems to have this quirk that, when in standby mode, when you press the power on button on the unit or on the remote control, about 60% of the time it 'fails'. It clicks loudly as if it were about to come on but the light goes back to red. I have to wait 5 seconds or so before I can press the on button again - then it will start flashing blue and stay on.

This time and the last time my fuse blew I had pressed the one button the second time too soon after the first. I had learned from my mistake the first time and never tried to press it twice in succession too quickly after - the other day was a mistake.

Although, I did have a electrical technician come round to fix something else, and asked him about it. He played around with the switch, switching it in and out of standby in very quick succession. He noticed that it wasn't powering up the first time on some occassions, but said there wa nothing wrong with it. Hmmm....

Of course something is wrong!, posted on November 2, 2009 at 07:51:23
RadioWonder
Audiophile

Posts: 478
Location: Arizona
Joined: March 16, 2003
 It is not a "Quirk",it needs to be repaired...

Take your amp to the dealer you purchased it from or to a qualified electronics technician. It sounds like there may be something wrong with your standby circuit or your power switch.
RE: Of course something is wrong!, posted on November 2, 2009 at 14:39:26
Ron Oehlert
Audiophile

Posts: 4645
Joined: December 18, 2003
 And a house-wiring ElectrICIAN is NOT an ElectrONICS repairman, not even close (& neither is a Plumber).

Page processed in 0.025 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2009, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ] [ Go Green ] [ Take5 ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]