Why don't amplifier Companies use high end fuses?


My equipment - Raven Integrated Reflection MK2 tube amp 58wpc. / Lumin A-1 DAC Streamer / Synology NAS / Isotex Aquarius Power Conditioner / Furutech Rhodium Plug / Sonus Faber Amati Homage Tradition speakers.  

I have read thousands of comments on upgraded fuses improving the performance of sound.  I am very open minded but not sold either way.  So, the question I have is....if fuses were so important, than why don't Amplifier companies all install them as OEM equipment?  To me, if they are as good as people say, that would provide companies who use them a competitive advantage?  

Every High End Audio store I go to in Phoenix have told me it does not make a difference and is a waste of money.  For the record, I have fuses purchased at an automotive store for under $10 and I think my sound is awesome.  The Company that built my amp tested the Synergistic Fuses and he emphatically said there was no difference.  

If I were to try a fuse for fun, given my equipment, what would your recommendation be to try?  
willgolf

Showing 10 responses by willgolf

Ok, I am going to start with the Padis fuses and see if I can detect a sound difference.  Now if someone would buy my Wilson Audio Duette 2's that I have listed I will really be a happy camper.  
If a higher end component company wanted to add an upgraded fuse they would negotiate a better price with the fuse maker.  They would not pay retail.  They would pay a fraction of retail.  
I know the owner of Raven Audio, the maker of my outstanding tube amp.  I asked him to test SR Red and Black fuses.  He said if it made his amp sound better he would use them as OEM fuses.  After trying them over a period of time, he found no improvement in sound and consequently does not use any upgraded fuses.  I ordered the PADIS fuse to see for myself.  I will report my results after I receive them.  
NONOISE --is there a break in period for the PADIS fuses?  
I thought I was asking a simple question but given my email account is  exploding, I think I opened up a can of worms.  
That that would be good for me because I can't keep up with all of your emails.  I think earlier in the discussion someone mentioned all this discussion for a $25 fuse for my $ 9000 amp. Lol.   When I receive the new fuse I will let you know my opinion on sound.  Until then maybe we can go on a cease fire for this topic.  Thx
One final question....I still don't have the fuse but I have to ask before I do get it.  I am not a true audiophile....I just enjoy great music.  I have around $60k invested in my two channel system so I think it already sounds great.  What is it that I will hear assuming that the Padis fuse works?  i.e. will the cymbals on the drums be more pronounced?  Will the bass be deeper?  Will the artists voice be more clear?  I just can't imagine given my system.  etc.
Okay, My results are in after installing the PADIS fuse.  I am also playing with different sets of vintage Russian Tubes.  So I currently have Gold Lion KT 88 Russian tubes in my Raven Amp.  First, in answer to Geoff's comment about my statement that I don't consider myself to be an audiophile despite having high end equipment.  The reason I say this is that I could not tell you a thing about measuring frequencies, or anything related to specs and performance of equipment.   I base everything on what I hear and whether I enjoy or not.  That is it plain and simple.  I am not a audio geek in that sense.

Regarding the Padis fuse..like when I change power tubes, I did hear a performance improvement from the new fuse.  The vocals were clearer, the instrumentation was more defined.  My music is definitely better.  I believe it is more pronounced on Rock, Country and Jazz.  I did not hear as much difference listening to Classical, which I don't understand.  So, for $30 dollars it is definitely worth it in my mind. 

As a result of this test, I just ordered the SR Blue fuse.  It will be interesting to see if I hear further improvement.  According to the reviews the new SR Blue starts opening up after 24 hours.  

I am also debating either trading my Lumin A-1 in for a S-1, or adding an EMM Lab DAC2X V2 D/A Converter to my A-1.  Most of my music is stored in a Synology NAS.   I am told these changes would up my performance even more.   If anyone has any experience with the S-1 or Emm Lab your comments are welcome.  

Thx Nonoise for the suggestion on the PADIS fuse.  


The reason I have not responded in two months is simple.  It turned into a hotly debated subject with neither side willing to lose.  Second, I accomplished my objective in trying a few different fuses.   Third, I shut my email off regarding this subject because my in box was getting overloaded by the responses  
As the original writer of this particular forum, I think it is time to find new subjects to debate.  If you go back and read my original post I was asking for input on fuses to try.  I ended up putting in a Padis Fuse and the Synergistic Blue fuse.  I did hear an upgrade from the $2 fuse I had in my amp.   I then played around with different vintage power tubes on my Raven Amp.  Certain tubes were better than other and I settled on KT 88 Golden Lion.  I now have ordered a matched said of quad KT150's which I am going to try as soon as they arrive.  I took it a step further and purchased a EMM Lab DAC 2X V2 which was suppose to take my sound to another level.  We are talking about a $150 fuse versus a $15K DAC.  Did I hear a major difference between adding the DAC to my Lumin A-1.  No, and that sucks.  Yes, I am chasing the ultimate 2 channel sound system.  

So to all the people who are arguing whether a fuse helps or not, be it  quantifiable or not, if you think it does great.  For $50 to $200 with a money back guarantee, you should try it out.  What have you got to lose.  In my case I probably wasted a major chunk of money buying the DAC which in my mind did not take my sound to a new level.  

Is it snake oil?  Beauty is in the ears of the beholder.  To some Yes....to others no.  Go in peace and happy holidays to all music lovers!