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Quick fuse Question

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Posted on October 30, 2020 at 12:35:23
mktracy
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Location: So. California
Joined: November 26, 2002
Hello guys. I have a quick fuse question. I have a ARC D200 amp that uses a MDQ5A fuse.The MDQ is a dual element fuse. I have purchased some Aucharm fuses for my pre and phono stage had they sound great. What would be the replace size for the MDQ5A fuse? I put in a standard 5Afuse and the amp ate it for lunch. Thanks for your time and effort guys.

 

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RE: Quick fuse Question, posted on October 30, 2020 at 18:15:05
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3149
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 2018
Here's one on Amazon. But if you Google it, you might find this or other brands at some of the other electrical supply stores more convenient/cheaper for you.

Cheers!

Jonesy

EDIT (Ugh... I just saw some of the seller(s) ratings. Might want to check out some other places as well.)


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




 

P.S. I don't think boutique fuse equivalents are available for MDQ fuses. (nt), posted on October 30, 2020 at 18:40:39
Jonesy
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Posts: 3149
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 2018
nt


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




 

Audiophile Grade Fuses, posted on October 31, 2020 at 09:25:17
RadioWonder
Audiophile

Posts: 1236
Location: Arizona
Joined: March 16, 2003

Furutech fuses worked wonders in my amplifier. Excellent in every way and I did not find them bright or non musical sounding ...

 

RE: Quick fuse Question, posted on October 31, 2020 at 12:14:33
mktracy
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Location: So. California
Joined: November 26, 2002
Thank you @Radio Wonder and @Jonesy for the comments. Guys Im wondering what about replacing the MDQ5A fuse with a 6A, that should cover the turn-on power consumption you think and still protect. What is it about the MDQ fuse that makes it so unique? I looked at its specs but dont really understand how it works any differently. Am I wrong for thinking a boutique 6A fuse will work in the ARC D200 amp?

 

RE: Quick fuse Question, posted on November 1, 2020 at 08:56:38
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3149
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 2018
Different brand specs may vary slightly, but for illustrative purposes...

The MDQ fuses will hold their maximum rating for upto 2 minutes before blowing. Standard fuses about 5 seconds. The D200 circuitry is such that MDQ is required.

Inserting a higher value standard fuse will still be 5 seconds, but it won't blow because it can take more current. Unfortinately it also won't protect your amp. It may never blow, inviting failure to parts down the line.

To help settle your curiousity of sound quality, you could put in a higher value standard fuse briefly to see if any sound improvement. The hope being that there isn't any. Because to run anything other than the spec'd MDQ fuse becomes a safety hazard. Sometimes it's better not to know!

The MDQ fuses available appear to mostly be NOS (new old stock). If you purchase any, or even the ones on hand, make sure the end contacts are good and clean. Likewise the fuse holder contacts. That will ensure you are getting the best out of them.

Cheers!

Jonesy













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




 

RE: Quick fuse Question, posted on November 1, 2020 at 13:59:59
mktracy
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Location: So. California
Joined: November 26, 2002
@Jonesy Thank you very much for the info on MDQ fuses. Had another member on Agon suggest to just replce with a higher value boutique fuse and be done. Guess Ill clean up the fuse end caps and holder and call it a day.

 

RE: Quick fuse Question, posted on November 1, 2020 at 21:20:29
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3149
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 2018
I think if anyone on AA recommended going to a larger value fuse they would be banned, LOL!

Yes, safety first.

Cheers!

Jonesy


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




 

RE: Quick fuse Question, posted on November 2, 2020 at 07:50:40
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4841
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since:
December 2, 2004
The MDQ series are slow blow fuses which can tolerate an in-rush current. Going to a higher rated standard (fast blow) fuse is not the answer -- it still may blow on turn-on and, if it doesn't, it will not provide any protection.



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

 

Acme sell slo-blow ceramic fuses that are silvered at each end and cryo-treated., posted on November 2, 2020 at 18:50:12
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10911
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
Quite reasonable in cost, as well.

 

Those are good prices..., posted on November 3, 2020 at 05:17:48
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3149
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 2018
but I don't think standard slow blow is a substitute for the specialized extremely time delayed MDQ type the OP's Audio Research amp model specifies.

Other Audio Research models of the same era simply specify their fuses as slow blow, not MDQ specific.

I use slow blow Hi-Fi tuning in mine.

The extra internal metal structure of a specialized MDQ "super slow" fuse would probably raise the price some. Because they are not that common, I don't think any boutique brands make them.

Thanks for the tip on the Acme fuses.

Cheers!

Jonesy



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




 

Thanks for the technical info, posted on November 3, 2020 at 07:49:33
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10911
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
I did wonder whether there might be something special about MDQ, because I've never seen that designation before, for a slow blow type. I've been using the acme ceramic slow blow fuses for years. I think they are MDA underneath. They're good enough for me.

 

RE: Thanks for the technical info, posted on November 3, 2020 at 08:33:28
Jonesy
Audiophile

Posts: 3149
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Joined: September 1, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
March 1, 2018
Well... it is possible that an MDA or other slow blow fuse may work for the OP.

I'm assuming the boutique(?) fuse that he tried and blew was a slow blow. But if it was in fact a fast blow, that would quickly explain the melt down. Instead he could experiment safely with slow blow types, provided he used the same current rating. Of course the experiments could get expensive blowing through fuses.

The MDQ, MDA, MDL etc have different internal element set ups. You really need to look at the data sheets for each to see the difference in properties. Even though they may all be rated at the same amperage.

Cheers!

Jonesy


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




 

RE: Thanks for the technical info, posted on November 5, 2020 at 11:16:52
mktracy
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Location: So. California
Joined: November 26, 2002
@Jonsey You are correct about boutique fuses are not MDQ, the fuse I used was just a Slow-Blo 5a fuse that blew right away. Talked to ARC and the MDQ5A lets in 7A then drops down to 5A. I looked at the fuse in the amp and it a MDX5A and it works fine has been in the amp over 10years.
@Lew I will check out Acme Audio fuses. They seem to be MDL or MDA and they will work if the specs are 7A then 5A. I appreciate all the info and comments guys. You guys are great and the info and knowledge is fabulous.

 

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