[Wayne1]

Some time ago, the DAM (Denver Audio Mafia) had a listening session at TweekGeek's place. One of the things we compared was different AC power fuses in the Squeeze Box power supply I built. We listened to a German built, $25.00 fuse, a silver plated ceramic fuse, another gold plated ceramic fuse, a pair of glass fuses, one silver, the other gold. We also compared all this to a stock Littlefuse glass fuse.

The outcome was the the Silver Plated ceramic fuse sounded the best with the Squeeze Box PS. I do use ACME Audio Silver Plated IEC and fuse holders in the power supply. Here is a link to the session Listening session at TweekGeek's

The expected price of the fuse was to be under $10.00. With the QC, the labor added up. I can sell the fuses for $11.00 each including shipping. I only intend to stock the one value for the SB power supply I make.

Here is a direct link to order the fuse from the BOLDER website

[ipy]

I received the fuse from Wayne last week & immediately installed it into the Bolder ps. 1st impression/listening was a greater sense of details emerging from the system.  After 2 days of breakin in, I was able to turn my system volume up a few notches & yet the music continue to flow with a very clear (no glare), dynamic & balance presentation. Another winner from the Bolder company

[zybar]

Well I just posted (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=28827.new#new) about my initial reaction to putting in the new silver plated ceramic fuse.

As usual, Wayne and DAM group were spot on!

A round of beers are on me when I see you guys in October.   

George

[Doublej]

What are the specficiations on this fuse (e.g. 1/2 amp fast blow?)

[Wayne1]

The fuse is a 3 AG, 2 amp, 250 v fast blo.

There will soon be other values available from ACME Audio.

At least for now, I only plan on stocking the value I use in the SB power supply.

I also use the same fuse in the mods to the Olive Musica.

[mcgsxr]

I received the fuse on Friday.

Looked at it, and had little idea in the way of how to install etc - sent Wayne a PM, asking embarrassing noob questions.  Received an intelligent response that made putting it into play simple.

Played my daughter's favourite tune twice with the stock fuse, to acclimatize myself, then jumped up, swapped in the silver one, and repeated the song again.

Humph.  No idea why that would work.  Difficult to express how it became better, but for me it is better - just less analytical, and more flowing.

Not being one to believe just my own ears, I did the following today.

Had a buddy from the neighborhood come in, and told him how to install the fuse, and what the proper order etc would be for swapping it in.  He is not aware which is which, just can see the difference.  I sat in my chair, eyes closed, while songs would play, and then fuses would be swapped, and songs played again.

8 out of 10 times I chose the silver fuse as sounding better.

Scientific?  Hardly.

Good enough for me?  Absolutely.

Thanks Wayne, I don't really understand why, but thanks!

Cheap, simple, and better.  Hah, can you find THAT enough?

Thanks Wayne, Paypal sent!

[DeadFish]

I just thought I'd chime in on this product that I *finally* got a chance to try.
No one has to talk me into the idea of how much improved power does for our hifi stuff.
I've been an electrician; I listen through a dedicated circuit.  Upgraded power cords and outlets absolutely make my system sound better to the tune of a big jump in my regular listening gear.
I've got one of Wayne's original power supplies, slightly improved when he resold it to me.

Unfortunately for me, just about the time the fuse came to me in the mail, we had power out for a week, and then my jobs kicked into overtime.  I put the fuse into the power supply a month or so ago, and got too busy for any organized listening, but listened when I could.
I couldn't say for certain how many tens of hours I have had the fuse in place since installation, but unless someone has any reason to think it will take hundreds of hours, I would like to think I have the fuse 'broken in' for the most part.

I took some time sunday so spend an hour with the Squeezebox, warming it and the amps up, then I listened to some of my reference cuts.
Then I put the original glass type fuse back in and tried a few cuts.  Then I went back to the ceramic fuse.
That was enough. 
Oddly enough, there seems significant difference that leans towards clarity in the mid to higher ranges.  Reminded me of when I swapped nitro interconnects with bybee into the same system, which I got earlier in the summer.  My listening is being done with altec 19 monitors whose brightness I tamed with tube gear, but neither those mentioned interconnects OR the ceramic fuse took them too distastefully shrill.  I am pleased.
 
Of course, your mileage may vary, but for the very economical price of this fuse, I got another tweek to give me better sound.
Thanks for finding and turning us on to these things Wayne!  Sorry it took me so long to pay attention to it.  For me, for the money, this is an absolute no-brainer for anyone that can use this fuse.  Even if I were to be imagining the positive difference (which I have every reason to believe to not be the case!) it is an extremely economical thing to play with and feel good about.

Hoping this made sense, a cheerful  on this fuse in my system!

Regards,
DeadFish