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Where to get fuses.

184.7.81.34
Posted on April 26, 2017 at 09:30:36
Jack D II
Audiophile

Posts: 1535
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Joined: June 17, 2009
 I'm skeptical of the benefits provided by aftermarket fuses. C-J has advised me not to substitute fuses in my CT 5 pre amp. I tried a couple of aftermarket fuses from a well known maker of numerous tweaks and it was indistinguishable from a regular Bus from Home Depot. Anybody have a source of reasonably priced fuses so I can try without needing a loan?

 

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RE: Where to get fuses., posted on April 26, 2017 at 10:17:29
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4390
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 There are some 'standard' companies that offer fuses, and other parts-
ordering from these companies can be a challenge w/o the exact part number- fuse size, rating etc- but once you have that-
it is easy-

Digi-key
Allied
Mouser
Parts Express

Happy Listening

 

RE: Where to get fuses., posted on April 26, 2017 at 14:32:57
sherod
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Texas
Joined: August 3, 2003
 Great close-out prices on Hifi-tuning Gold fuses:


 

THECABLECOMPANY.COM (nt), posted on April 27, 2017 at 11:37:31
gregwalshfmc@gmail.com
Distributor or Rep

Posts: 56
Location: Massachusettes
Joined: November 30, 2015
 .

 

RE: Where to get fuses., posted on April 27, 2017 at 13:24:27
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 The Fuse Company in Richmond, Va. That's all they deal in. Reminds me of the Scotch Tape Store on SNL. They will not have "audiophile" fuses but everything else.



"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

 

In case you were wondering...link, posted on April 28, 2017 at 03:18:56
Uncle Mike
 link

 

RE: Where to get fuses., posted on April 28, 2017 at 06:02:05
throwback
Audiophile

Posts: 762
Location: Colorado
Joined: December 8, 2003
 I use Audio Magic fuses and like them very much (see my post below in "Fuses are safety devices").

 

RE: Where to get fuses., posted on April 28, 2017 at 08:49:55
Tweaker456
 My experience is that ceramic fuses sound real bad. If you want to significantly upgrade an ordinary glass fuse put a little schmear of Circuit Works 7100 silver conductive grease on the ends. Good idea,IMHO to use it in all the power supply connections you can get to, AC plugs... I don't use it in the signal path but some people do use silver grease in the signal path. T456

 

RE: Where to get fuses., posted on April 28, 2017 at 16:26:05
Coner
Audiophile

Posts: 3703
Location: S.W. Washington state, USA
Joined: November 17, 2001
 Would a dab of solder on the top of clips work instead of the grease?.

 

RE: Where to get fuses., posted on April 28, 2017 at 18:46:37
Tweaker456
 I suspect not. One way the grease is said to work is that it fills in micro indentations. Solder would just have their own indentations. The silver grease is a bit pricy but well worth it in power supply situations IMO. AC plugs, cap screw terminals and any other connectors in the PS. I, as I have mentioned before, use MG Chemicals carbon conductive paste in the signal path. The silver grease is a bit bright to me in the sp but not in PS situations. T456

 

"Solder would just have their [sic] own indentations", posted on April 28, 2017 at 19:59:38
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 So you're confident in saying that the solder is subject to microscopic porosity, but that the grease is not?

I would be more inclined to believe the solder would provide the more air tight joint, if soldered correctly. But Coner's "dab on top of the clips" wouldn't constitute correct soldering methodology.

The issue with the solder would be having to unsolder and remove the fuse from the fuse clip in the event of a failure. Sounds like a major pain in the ass. I'd like to try the silver grease though.





There are fuses made with leads, primarily for use on circuit boards. No telling how they'd perform. My only experience with fuse tweaking was trying a few recommendations made here on Tweakers Asylum. I wrapped the glass body in Teflon plumber's tape, and cleaned the end contacts with DeOxit. No change from a naked, dirty fuse. I flipped it for gits 'n shiggles to test directionality, but detected no sonic change.

I try and keep an open mind about things, but I guess I'm too much of a skeptic to spend $100 on a disposable fuse "Just to see".

 

RE: "Solder would just have their [sic] own indentations", posted on April 28, 2017 at 22:31:49
Tweaker456
 If you are talking about actually soldering the fuses in then I would think that would be the best sounding. You talked about a dab of solder on the clip. Would that even stick? What I'm confident in is that silver conductive grease on PS contacts is a significant improvement in sound. One has to try it to see. One person at AA said it was the best tweak he (or she) had done. My guess is that included signal path connections. T456

 

I didn't suggest a "dab of solder", posted on April 29, 2017 at 05:27:38
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 The poster Coner did. I simply advised against it, for a similar reason to what you questioned.

The Circuit Works 7100 silver conductive grease would be something I'd be willing to try, but at over $61 per tube at Digi-Key, I'd have to see if I had other uses for it first.

I read a couple of articles on tuner refurbishing a few years ago. At least one of them suggested using silver grease on the variable capacitor's bearings (Not on the fins!). If I need silver grease for my tuners, then I'll have it to try on a fuse or two, but only on the ones in open clips. Trying to get that grease out of an enclosed fuse holder doesn't sound like a fun job to me.

Thanks for the head's up on the Circuit Works 7100.



 

RE: "Solder would just have their [sic] own indentations", posted on April 29, 2017 at 08:21:35
bcowen
Audiophile

Posts: 1076
Location: North Carolina
Joined: December 19, 2015
 I try and keep an open mind about things, but I guess I'm too much of a skeptic to spend $100 on a disposable fuse "Just to see".

Me too. Upon re-assembling a system after a 10 year remission and scanning Audiogon for some deals, the mega-dollar fuses were all over the place. I viewed them with the same skepticism (or was it rolling eyes?) that I did many years ago when audiophile power cords became fashionable. But back then I decided to try a rather expensive cord and confirm my skepticism, but my skepticism was instead replaced by a lighter wallet. :)

When it came to the fuses, like you I wasn't willing to spend $100+ just to see. Then Parts Connection put the Hi-Fi tuning fuses on sale for $19.99, and I figured $20 was reasonable enough for a trial. I bought one (just one), and after hearing what it did in my CD player went back and bought the ones needed for the rest of my components. The improvement was not consistent, and it turned out that the biggest change was in the CD player. Less (but still noticeable) improvement in the preamp, and I really couldn't tell any difference at all in the amp. So in my experience, there's no guarantee there will be an improvement, and if there is, it's component specific. I've purchased a couple SR Black fuses since then (yeah, the expensive ones), and to my ears, they are better. But not as big a change over the HiFi Tuning fuses as the HiFi Tuning fuses were over the stock fuse. They were the biggest bang for the buck in my system.

Parts Connexion now has these fuses for $9.99, which may satisfy the curiosity/price ratio for anyone interested.

 

"my skepticism was instead replaced by a lighter wallet", posted on April 29, 2017 at 09:28:44
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 I hear you!

Your experience seems to mirror mine with regard to power cords. I had a difficult time believing that they could make a difference. I ordered a Zu Bok with a thirty day trial, convinced that the most I would be out was the return postage after proving to myself that people were simply hearing things.

As you have already guessed, the Bok is still in my system.

I recall being just as skeptical regarding better interconnects and speaker wire years ago, but had my ears opened by actually trying them. My position on fuses isn't a total "contempt prior to investigation", because I certainly am curious.

But, assuming for a moment that I could hear an improvement, two things give me pause with boutique fuses. The first is the accuracy of their specifications. Does their 0.125 A fuse really open at more than a 0.125A current draw? Am I willing to risk a $1000 phono stage to find out?

The second reason is that one power hiccup, one capacitor going bad in the power supply, and I've just lit $100 on fire when the fuse opens. I could still sell my $100 power cord if I chose to, but they don't "self-destruct" like the fuses are intended to.

The big consideration for me is the value for my dollar factor. As I posted in a reply to CD player upgrades a few posts down, the Belleson regulator is the biggest "bang for the buck" I've yet to experience. I also quoted from the TNT review of the Belleson regulators, "These regulators are expensive compared to other types, but not compared to cables and other accessories, and in my system they improved things more than any cable I've ever tried...", which was also my experience when I replaced the regulator in my Graham Slee phono stage with the Belleson.

So, given that I have to be judicious with my spending, laying out $35 to $55 for a Belleson makes more sense for me than dropping hundreds (or even thousands, according to the TNT review) on cables, fuses, etc. If money were no object, I'd go for the Belleson, upgraded power-cord, and a boutique fuse, but since I can't, I'll opt for my biggest "bang for the buck" and start with the Belleson.

Oh, and thank you for the wise suggestion to try a Hi-Fi tuning fuse or two from the Parts Connexion. That sounds like a reasonably priced (by insane audiophile standards, anyway) foray into fuse testing.

 

RE: I didn't suggest a "dab of solder", posted on April 29, 2017 at 09:48:51
Tweaker456
 Yo 1973, If you want to send me your address I can probably send you a sample. My grease is at someone else's house, so if he didn't lose it I'll be able to do it. I didn't realize it got so expensive. Used to be less than half of that. T456

 

RE: "my skepticism was instead replaced by a lighter wallet", posted on April 29, 2017 at 14:23:19
bcowen
Audiophile

Posts: 1076
Location: North Carolina
Joined: December 19, 2015
 But, assuming for a moment that I could hear an improvement, two things give me pause with boutique fuses. The first is the accuracy of their specifications. Does their 0.125 A fuse really open at more than a 0.125A current draw?

Good reason to pause. None of the boutique fuses have any independent agency listings (UL, CSA, CE, etc) to my knowledge. And while a UL listing doesn't guarantee that a 1.25 amp fuse will blow at 1.26 amps, it does offer an assurance that the engineering is sound and the manufacturing processes are consistent. The boutique fuses add some risk to the equation to be sure. I have only one component that I consider irreplaceable (my amp -- no longer made), and I'm almost glad I didn't hear any difference with the boutique fuse in it....it retains its UL listed Littelfuse. Maybe something subconscious was going on there that I didn't even know about.

Thanks for the additional info on the regulators (I hadn't read your post below). I guess I need to go yank the cover off my DAC now... :)

 

"Good reason to pause", posted on April 29, 2017 at 16:46:07
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 I consider my amp irreplaceable too, given that there were only 100 made. I could see me trying to explain to Nelson Pass that I was trying out a boutique fuse, and smoked my First Watt F1J.

You're welcome regarding the Belleson regulator info. I admit that I haven't tried any of the other brands of "boutique" regulators, and maybe some perform better than the Belleson. I just know the level of improvement I got for $55 wasn't small.

When you see what's inside your DAC, if I can be of any help, just let me know.



 

Brylcream. A little dab'll do ya, posted on April 29, 2017 at 16:49:52
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Thank you for your offer of a dab. I appreciate that.

I'm sure the price of the conductive grease goes up as the price of silver goes up.

 

RE: "my skepticism was instead replaced by a lighter wallet", posted on April 30, 2017 at 09:36:42
SpotcheckBilly12345
 I'd be sure to check out where some of these "magic" fuses are manufactured.

This warning is not necessarily audio related, but a good friend who owns a local auto repair shop encountered a Chinese made glass bodied fuse that was stamped 10 AMP but would not blow when it was fed with over 30 amps. It caused an expensive wiring harness fire in a custom 1970's model Chevrolet C10 pickup that had a worn out heater/AC blower motor that was pulling over 30 amps draw after running on high speed for about twenty minutes.

The customer stated that he bought an assortment of fuses packaged in a plastic bag from a discount auto parts store and used one of the fuses in the heater blower spot in the fuse box. These were Chinese made fuses according to the package.

I only wonder if some of these un-rated "boutique" audio fuses might be subject to the same condition. I'm not pointing any fingers or making a wild accusation. Just curious.

Cheers,
SB

 

Why do "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?, posted on April 30, 2017 at 13:02:40
mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001
 Can you elaborate on your impression that "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?
Are you talking about ceramic-body tube fuses and do you mean in comparison to glass-body fuses? If so, is this broad viewpoint applicable to all ceramic-body fuses and is there a specific problem created by using a ceramic body?
I am curious because many of the aftermarket fuses from companies like Hi-Fi Tuning, Synergistic Research, Furutech, and others use ceramic-body fuses on their offerings, some of which are priced over $100 each. Most of the forum discussions indicate that people find ceramic to be better damped than glass.

 

Yes. , posted on May 2, 2017 at 19:00:32
Sigmund
Audiophile

Posts: 1365
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Joined: February 15, 2002
Contributor
  Since: November 21, 2007
 Ask for Steve. I've been dealing with him for a couple of years.

 

RE: Why do "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?, posted on May 3, 2017 at 06:43:17
Tweaker456
 All I can say is I tried them once in my headphone amp compared to a random glass fuse and it ruined the sound of the amp. Made it sound puckish. My new audiophile term. I thought since the ceramic fuse was damped it would sound better. Non audiophile fuses are cheap so try for yourself. That was my experience. Your's of course may be different. I myself will not pop for expensive fuses. Everyone I have turned on to silver grease has liked it. In some cases it can be jaw dropping. Cheap glass fuses with silver grease is my MO. T456

 

RE: Why do "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?, posted on May 4, 2017 at 05:12:34
mitch2
Audiophile

Posts: 1521
Location: Great Lakes
Joined: August 28, 2001
 Ok, I was curious about your experience given the number of aftermarket fuses that use ceramic bodies.
I have used glass fuses, with a bit of teflon wrap for damping, and QuickSilver GOLD™ Contact Enhancer for years. Another thing I sometimes use on the two-pronged clamp type fuse holders is a simple orthodontic (i.e., small) rubber band over the two clamps at each end to hold them together more securely. I have lately gotten away from the silver paste because of the mess and potential longevity issues but still like using Pro Gold.

 

RE: "small rubber band", posted on May 4, 2017 at 05:35:09
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 That's a nice idea. Thanks!

 

Do "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?, posted on May 5, 2017 at 08:46:26
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10911
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 It was rather my impression that those who are fuse devotee's prefer ceramic over glass, because glass fuses "ring", or some other such rationale. I am a fuse agnostic. One reason for my attitude is that I don't get why one would pop a 100-dollar fuse into the typical crappy fuseholder and then dream that one is getting the full benefit of that fuse, assuming there even is a benefit. Thus, I, as a DIYer, never buy expensive fuses, but I do occasionally employ Acme cryo-treated silver fuses ($15 each) in concert with Acme fuse holders; I remove the stock fuse-holder and replace it with the Acme one. Would I claim that the results are a revelation? No. But it makes me feel slightly better.

By the way, did you mean "yours" or "your's". No apostrophe needed.

 

RE: Do "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?, posted on May 5, 2017 at 10:55:19
Tweaker456
 Toshay!

 

RE: Why do "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?, posted on May 5, 2017 at 18:07:36
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 What is 'puckish'? A hockey term? Don't make me look it up!

Aren't some ceramic fuses 'filled' with something inert surrounding the active element?
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Why do "ceramic fuses sound real bad"?, posted on May 6, 2017 at 02:59:28
Uncle Mike
 Sometimes when I get too immersed in what I'm doing with my audio gear I feel peckish.

 

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