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This kind of ties in to the "More on Fuses" post below... I recently acquired an outboard power supply for my Squeezebox Duet that uses a 1 amp / 250V / 20mm / slow-blow ceramic fuse. I have a HiFi Tuning fuse on hand that I'd like to try out to see if it improves the sound. The fuse isn't marked but I'm pretty sure it is a 3.15 amp slow blow.
I've read that ceramic fuses are spec'd because the sand inside can absorb current inrush that would otherwise "flash" and burn out a glass fuse of the same value. I've also been told that HiFi Tuning fuses can blow upon current inrush and in some cases a larger value fuse should be used.
Is increasing the fuse size from 1A to 3.15A large enough that I am putting the power supply at risk or even something that could cause a fire? I live in a newer home with very stable power and have never had a problem with fuses blowing on any of my components.
Follow Ups:
Of course it will increase risk and of course it will sound better. You could also get a 3A PS for your expensive fuse.
"The Borg is the ultimate user. They're unlike any threat your Federation has ever faced."
- Q, 2365
"of course it will sound better."
Is this intended to be irony or have you empirically established this asseveration as true?
The latter. One caveat might be comparing very different types of fuses like a 1A glass fuse to a 3A ceramic. My experience listening closely to a ceramic fuse led me to believe that ceramic is not the way to go. In this particular case both the OP's fuses are ceramic. Not only is the expensive "audiophile" fuse ceramic, about three times the rating, 2A's larger in rating but ostensibly it was optimized for better sound. Thus my confidence that it would sound better. I'm not saying that I've never strayed from making comments and opinions about something I've never experienced but it would be very rare. Of course this at some level is all or mostly opinion. Certain people can't perceive what other perceive or think they perceive. I stand by my fundamental principal that thicker wire in the PS is better sounding, fuller, more instrument body even it's it's only an inch. T456
"The Borg is the ultimate user. They're unlike any threat your Federation has ever faced."
- Q, 2365
Edits: 05/20/17
"Is increasing the fuse size from 1A to 3.15A large enough that I am putting the power supply at risk?"
you have tripled the amount of power that will 'trip' the fuse -
Not good for the PS or the downstream equipment...
Happy Listening
Ceramic fuses do not handle in-rush better than glass, that is what slow blow fuses are for (glass or ceramic). The sand in the ceramic fuse melts and provides a better barrier to arcing than glass. This makes them a better choice in "dangerous" areas where there may be volatile gases such as a mine or an operating room and when there is a possibility of very high overcurrent such that arcing occurs and the circuit is not interrupted.
Using a higher rated fuse is a safety concern. You might want to try it out to see if there is a audiophilic advantage but don't do it permanently. Also be sure the HiFi Tuning Fuse is slow blow as that's a lot of money to burn if the start in-rush current is too high for a fast blow.
I married the perfect woman. The downside is everything that goes wrong is my fault.
Edits: 05/17/17 05/17/17
The point of a fuse id to protect the equipment, and protect everything else around.
So I say yeah you can certainly try it out. Since the equipment is behaving, and so is your AC wall power. Use the fuse and listen.
Afterwards though, I personally would UNPLUG the unit if you want to leave that fuse in. And only plug it i when you want to listen to the fuse some more.
I would never leave the unit plugged in and not be around, with that wrong fuse in place.
You could even bypass the fuse too, and listen, but remember the dangers and undo the tweak as soon as finished.
This is exactly what I am planning to do, give the fuse a try and if it sounds good buy one in the correct value for permanent installation. Thanks all for your help.
Are you talking about buying a power supply of the correct value for the fuse?
"The Borg is the ultimate user. They're unlike any threat your Federation has ever faced."
- Q, 2365
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