Fuse Direction in Power Regenerators

Accessories and Tweaks
1

I wanted to start a topic for people who have some experience with using fuses in different directions in Power Regenerators to share their thoughts on the topic. I’ll start.

In my P3, I have recently replaced the stock fuse with another (new) stock fuse. I have been listening in both directions and trying to note the difference of what I hear. This is what I have currently.

  1. One direction gives me a warm, full, smooth and laid back sound that lacks some detail. Plenty of bass.

  2. The other direction is cleaner, more detailed, with an emphasis on the mids and highs. Sound is more forward, bass is tighter and it seems like there is less of it. Also, it seems like the bass doesn’t go as low as the other direction. The sound is more revealing of the source. And the sound is very composed. As of now, I have my fuse in this direction, as #1 was too warm for me and lacked detail.

So it seems that each direction has strengths. What are your experiences with fuse direction?

2

I can’t imagine how a standard fuse’s polarity can make a difference in SQ, but your ears say otherwise. :man_shrugging:

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3

There are a few old threads here that had long discussions on SQ of different “audiophile” fuses as well as the differences on fuse directions.

I have tried many fuses, and I did hear directional differences. In most cases as they settled, the SQ difference would diminish (even their overall SQ improvement diminished too). The fuse made the most difference in direction was the SR Master fuse, and the fuse made the least difference is AM M2 fuse, in my system anyway.

Also, some components may be more sensitive to fuse change than others. P15 and DS MK2 I heard clear SQ improvement from a few fuses, and I heard almost no difference with M2 fuse in MU2, and the stock fuse in it is nothing special (worse than PSA stock fuses) by the way.

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4

Thanks for your post, especially this helpful comment:

"In most cases as they settled, the SQ difference would diminish (even their overall SQ improvement diminished too). "

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5

I have heard directional differences very similar to your impressions George, with both fuses and the Sluggos used in the Swiss Digital Fuse Box (which have replaced fuses for me in four of the components in my main system–I prefer the sound they produce/deliver more than any fuse I’ve tried, stock, SR or Audio Magic etc.).

In my system, which because my room is a drawback that cannot be corrected by forbidden room treatment, I always choose the direction with better (more) bass.

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6

with AM fuses my experience is the number 2 is the correct one (when listening more careful one should hear the #2 is also cleaner than #1)

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7

Cleaner is a great description! I added it to my #2 description above.

8

Agreed this topic has been covered extensively in the past. Just do a search before creating a new thread. :man_facepalming:t2:

9

Hey Lonson,

Thanks for posting! Hope all is well with you.

10

Doing okay George, thanks. Just a little sad over the loss of my dog. . . but remembering how funny she was helps.

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11

Dear Lonson and wife,
Been there, still feel that. Sorry for you.
-Jeffrey

12

Thanks Jeffrey. It’s never easy to lose a loved being. Time will make it better.