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Isoclean fuses: definitely worth it

I just installed Isoclean fuses in my Naim CD5x and Nait5i. I sort of felt like I was going to the fringe by installing these but keep in mind they are right in the AC path so it made sense to me after installing a dedicated line and an "audiophile grade" AC receptacle.

I tried Buss ceramic fuses beforehand and they were just slightly better than stock.

The Isocleans, however, definitely provided a noticeable improvement over stock or Buss ceramics. In a nutshell: smoother treble, a touch more overall resolution (especially in the mids and treble) and elimination of a bit of grain and veiling. Polarity does matter. I checked a few times to verify but arrow down for my equipment was more natural (less bright) than arrow up. You may prefer the other polarity, of course. Note that they didn't affect rhythm as many products do (especially a lot of isolation devices) nor did they add any brightness (at least in the polarity I prefer).

They're not cheap for what they are ($25 per fuse) but the improvement was definitely worth $50 total investment to me.
greg7
inpepinnovations
134 posts
 
Even if wire and fuses have directional properties, this would make a difference only in non directional current circuits, i.e., DC. In fact, capacitors and inductors only work in AC circuits. If the fuse has some capacitance or induction property inherent to it in addition to the resistance property that it might possess, the direction in which is is installed will not make any difference since the direction of the current changes continuously.

One consumes power in the devices at home due to current flowing back and forth through the devices.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
Inpepinnovations: Good try.

GK
davemitchell
252 posts
 
Willster,

I was just trying to reply to Bob P. in the simplest conceptual terms.

As for his theory that fuses and capacitors can't sound different one way than the other, they unfortunately do. I have found that the vast majority of the engineer types who claim that things can't make a sonic difference, have never actually spent any time listening.
inpepinnovations
134 posts
 
Davemitchell, and those the vast majority of those who do 'witness' those sonic differences are often the same people who also witness proof that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones!

If sonic differences are indeed 'witnessed' by changing the direction of the wire or fuse in an AC circuit, it is not due to the direction of the device, but due to some other reason, probably the fact that the connection was changed slightly during the 'trial'.

Bob P.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Inpepinnovations, why do you persist in this nonsense? Once you have heard the impact of a better fuse or of the direction differences among fuses, then put yourself to work finding a test that would remove your doubts. By the way light objects and heavy objects fall at the same rate only in a vacuum.
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