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Isoclean Fuse

Recently, I purchased an Isoclean fuse for my ARC VT100 MkII. The value of the fuse for the amp from ARC, is 6.25A / slo-blo type.

When ordering the Isoclean fuse the sales person informed me that Isolclean doesn't have the exact value of 6.25, so I should go up to the next fuse value of 7A (they either had a 6A or 7A).

When I installed the new fuse, what I noticed (and I don't know if this has anything to do with the new fuse) is that the bias of the amp dropped severly (from right at 130mV, down to around 88mV). After installing the new fuse I rebiased the amp but I couldn't get the amp back to 130mV. The best I could get was around 127mV, and this was with the trim pot turned up all the way. (Please note that all biasing was done after letting the amp warm up, with no music playing, for a minimum of 30 minuetes).

Just to check, I removed the Isoclean fuse and inserted the original fuse. Now, the amp showed a bias of 145mV, which I was able to lower back to the proper 130mV setting.

My questions are:

1) Is it OK to substitute a fuse value of 7A for one that is supposed to be 6.25A?
2) Would putting the 7A fuse in the amp cause the amp's bias problem?
3) Are there any other problems that may occur by installing the wrong value fuse?

Any remarks / recommendations that you can make will be appreciated.
louisl
artistic_audio's avatar
artistic_audio
42 posts
 
I encourage everyone to read the reviews and comments written below by the press.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/isoclean.htm
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/isoclean3/fuses.html
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/isoclean/isoclean.html
http://www.soundstageav.com/audiovideonews.html
http://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/isoclean_superfocus_80a3_pt3030g_ii.htm
wc65mustang
524 posts
 
What artistic audio is doing here is tantatmount to posting an advertisement. There is a separate section of Audiogon for such activity. Please refrain sir.
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
601 posts
 
first of all, $25 for a fuse is insane. second of all, if the sales rep suggested you use a higher value fuse than you needed, then this company doesn't know s&%t about how a fuse works or what a fuse does. thanks for the heads up, i'll be 100% certain to not waste my money on this tweak.
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,071 posts
 
Might I suggest using silver contact paste like Walker SST rather than wasting you money on the slower and inferior gold. The fuse is not unique here, only the gold plating...

Also keep in mind how many fuses you may have to protect you circuits. My Sony SCD-1 has three inside and one power, my Plinius SA-102 has four inside and two additional...

Silver treating these will do far more than one $25 fuse in one spot.
louisl OP
140 posts
 
Wow, I didn't intend to start a World War. Come on guys, lighten up a bit.

I'm a tweaker, and firmly believe that certain tweaks can help your system...not become something that it's not, but to improve on what's already there! I can tell you that I've spent much more than $25 for certain tweaks, haven't you? Some worked, others did nothing. Even though $25 for a fuse might seem insane, if it improves the sound, why not? Besides, Artistic Audio is trying to accomodate me by offering to refund my money!

After speaking with ARC, I removed the fuse from the amp (just to be on the safe side) and plan on exchanging it for one that will be a proper fit in my CD player. I'll let everyone know the outcome!

To Jadem6..I did clean the original fuse, and treated it with Caig's "ProGold G5 Contact Enhancer". It was an immediate improvement. I suggest everyone do the same!
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