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Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended

198.144.203.107
Posted on October 29, 2020 at 19:43:57
rogerh113
Audiophile

Posts: 508
Location: San Francisco South Bay
Joined: October 20, 2014
 Looking to get some ceramic fuses for my amp, and wanted to know if there is a recommended brand. Buss, Littelfuse, and no doubt a bunch more quality manufacturers. Any one stand out from the others?

 

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RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 02:45:17
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4593
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I bought Littlefuse ceramics for my EDGE M8 power, they were a nice improvement over the stock fuses which were BUSS fuses. I never thought a fuse would make a difference in sound of my amp but it did. The only reason I got the ceramic fuse was because my fuse blew and I didn't have any on hand so I thought I would try the ceramics.

I did try a ceramic fuse in my modded Counterpoint SA-1000 preamp, I didn't notice any change at all in sound than when compared to the original fuse.

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 03:27:58
Ryelands
Audiophile

Posts: 1867
Location: Scotland
Joined: January 9, 2009
 At the lower end (IOW my end) of the price scale, I get consistently good and readily perceptible results from AMR Gold fuses in digital audio devices, in amplifiers, in TVs and in my computer's monitor. See link for the usual hyped sales puff.

I recently tried "Bussmann Gold Plated Audio Grade" fuses as they're cheaper. Though they were better than consumer-grade parts, they were not IMHO as good as the AMRs.

(NB that I use them in UK-style mains plugs which are fused. I'm unaware of any other country that uses fused plugs. Though I doubt it, the difference might matter.)

HTH

 

also look here on AA if curious, posted on October 30, 2020 at 09:31:06
Story
Audiophile

Posts: 10458
Location: NJ
Joined: December 11, 2000



 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 12:36:59
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 What specifications were you looking for?

small 5mm x 20mm
large 6.3mm x 32mm
amps
slow or fast blow

Sometimes you can find hospital or audio grade in the brand lines you mentioned. Also consider Schurter.

Cheers!

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 13:34:23
rogerh113
Audiophile

Posts: 508
Location: San Francisco South Bay
Joined: October 20, 2014
 Hello,

I am completely open to brand, but need to order some in the next week or two so they will arrive prior to the completion of the repair work. I am of the opinion that fuses can make a sonic difference.

I am looking for 5 total for the amp, all 6.3 x 32 (large) and all fast blow. Amperage ratings are 1 x 10amp, 2 x 5 amp, and 2 x 1.5 amp.

They are for a Threshold Stasis 3. 10 amp for the power in, 5 amp for each of the 2 rails, and 1.5 amp for the 2 speaker fuses. Speaker fuses are specified as 5 amp, but since my speakers are not fused, I gather the recommendation is for 1.5 amp.

I may end up playing a bit with boutique fuses later, but with the quantity of fuses I am certainly not at that point now. Plus, as I am breaking in the amp after repair, I don't need any costly fuse detonations.

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 13:47:29
tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7743
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020
 When I tested a non audiophile ceramic fuse against a glass fuse it made my headphone amp un-listenable, much to my surprise as I thought it would sound better. The silver ceramic recommended here is considerably better than the glass one I was using. So, maybe don't go overboard on the cheap ceramic fuses until you maybe test a glass vs ceramic in your amp. Something to think about. Tweaker456


So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 13:52:27
rogerh113
Audiophile

Posts: 508
Location: San Francisco South Bay
Joined: October 20, 2014
 The amp has all glass now, with only a 5 amp rail fuse blown. I will move one of the 5 amp glass speaker fuses to the rail, and so will be testing the amp with glass fuses. Having some ceramic fuses will allow me to play around after I have the amp up and running. Of course, that depends on how many fuses I blow while repairing the amp (hopefully none.....).

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 17:33:43
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 I would just get either of the brands you originally mentioned.

Ceramic fuses provide better thermal protection and are more robust. You'll probably find the 5 & 10 amp in ceramic. Not sure about the 1.5 amp.

If you are buying spares, you may want to experiment with both glass and ceramic. Glass can sound better in some cases amongst these brands.

To be honest, if you do pursue boutique brands at some point, you'll find they are all ceramic anyways. So results with off the shelf glass vs ceramic cannot be carried forward. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least try for the best sound you can get during your repairs.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers!

Jonesy



"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 18:46:42
rwiley
Audiophile

Posts: 1050
Location: Southeast
Joined: February 20, 2001
 I like Schurter

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 22:20:34
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 1.5A is a tough one to hunt down. I think 1.6A is a common value in Europe.

Here's a Schurter 8020.5070.G 6.3x32 1.6A F 500V quick-acting ceramic fuse.

See link:

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 22:55:44
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 I had seen the 1.6A Schurter on the Digi-Key site, but the data sheet said it was a slow blow.

If the one on Mouser is a fast blow, it would be perfect. (Mouser site has been giving me grief all night. Even using your link. Glad you had better luck.)

I've purchased Schurter fuses in the past. Some of the values come gold plated. A nice improvement in sound vs "off the shelf". And reasonably priced vs boutique brands.

Some are flagged as discontinued and will not be restocked. I buy spares in those cases. A bit of paranoia actually as it's been many years since I had a fuse blow. (Knock on wood.)

Cheers!

Jonesy




"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 30, 2020 at 23:16:23
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 The server was fine this afternoon; not so good tonight, Jonesy.

Aucharm does not seem to offer 1.5A nor 1.6A within their entry-level product line, which would be the right fuse at the right price.

It took quite awhile to finally nail the correct value for the OP. Here's the datasheet for the Schurter 8020.5070.G 6.3x32 1.6A F 500V quick-acting ceramic fuse:

See link:

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 31, 2020 at 04:17:44
rwiley
Audiophile

Posts: 1050
Location: Southeast
Joined: February 20, 2001
 I like Schurter

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 31, 2020 at 06:28:45
rogerh113
Audiophile

Posts: 508
Location: San Francisco South Bay
Joined: October 20, 2014
 Mouser site is not coming up for me either.

I have purchased from both Mouser and DigiKey before, and seems like the Schurter will serve well.

Thanks very much for the input.

 

RE: Ceramic fuse - any particular brand recommended, posted on October 31, 2020 at 08:54:29
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3157
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 2018
 Thanks for the info on the fast blow version Duster.

Link working this morning.

Cheers!

Jonesy


"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."




 

And don't forget the free fuse tweak, posted on November 2, 2020 at 09:31:13
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Below is a link to a post by Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere OTL amp fame. He gives direction on how to measure voltage for proper fuse orientation. Although I've linked to this post several times, I've yet to try it.

 

RE: And don't forget the free fuse tweak, posted on November 2, 2020 at 09:49:32
rogerh113
Audiophile

Posts: 508
Location: San Francisco South Bay
Joined: October 20, 2014
 I will certainly give that a try as I bring up the amp. Pretty easy to check things then.

Took off one of the amp sides, the one 'giving trouble'. Several cracked 1 watt wirewound resistors. Looks like the repair person put in different transistors, and likely just ignored the damaged resistors (possibly from the initial failure). Wonder why it wasn't working. Should receive a full set of resistors in about a week, and then can start fixing things. Actually should be a very fun project.

 

RE: And don't forget the free fuse tweak, posted on November 2, 2020 at 11:58:46
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Seems to be an interesting project. If you feel like it, you might consider posting some photos with the details, rogerh113.

 

RE: And don't forget the free fuse tweak, posted on November 2, 2020 at 12:16:40
rogerh113
Audiophile

Posts: 508
Location: San Francisco South Bay
Joined: October 20, 2014
 I am fine posting some pics. Should it be in the amp/preamp forum or here??

 

RE: And don't forget the free fuse tweak, posted on November 2, 2020 at 13:03:24
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Do you plan to modify the amplifier other than replacing the resistors?

Perhaps some ideas can be tossed into the forum, such as some capacitor upgrades and/or wiring/connector upgrades, etc...

 

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