I’m speechless. Just speechless. 
Elk saidLong before the audiophile fuse craze there were quite a few who advocated replacing fuses with good quality wire as this improved the sound. Some manufactures similarly eschewed fuses in their designs for this same reason, such as John Dunlavy.
Back when I was younger and had more audacity, I replaced the output fuses in my 25/25 Class A amp with solid copper, same sized equivalents. I worked in a company that made use of high quality raw materials for various things. Had them cut and sized from the highest quality copper rod stock we had. Even had them gold plated.Did they sound better? I thought they did, but my ear wasn’t as “trained” as I was much younger. Still, I and my friend thought it sounded better, but I removed them and dropped the fuses back in as I did not like the idea of a short frying my (what was at the time to me) very expensive speakers.
So I just ordered a DSD and am curious if those who believe fuses make a difference would change the fuse before getting the DSD all hooked up, or would you recommend using it first and then installing the fuse later.
I am torn about it. It was pretty cool the first time I installed a new fancy power cord on my integrated amp and heard such a massive difference over the stock cord I was using, it was like lifting a veil off the music. It’s kind of funny because I thought it sounded good to begin with and had no idea it would be such a change for the better.
Thanks in advance!
I would say its about how much you have already been bought into these tweaks. If you believe that fuse will indeed make a difference for the better, no matter if it really does or not, then yes you can install it from the start. If you really want to “hear” the difference a fuse can make (good or bad), then I would suggest burn the DS for a good 300hrs and then upgrade the fuse.
In either case, some brand’s fuse is directional and there is no consistencies in the marking which means what direction works for one may not work for others - you will have to try it either ways to find out which one is better.
As for me, I did the later. In case you aren’t aware, the fuse is 5x20mm, 1A, Slow Blow.
Given that changing out the fuse in the DS is somewhat of a chore, it is much easier to install once and not have to fiddle with it. As a glutton for punishment, I have changed out multiple, the most recent being the SR Black and now the Audio Magic beeswax SHD. There was not a massive sonic change with either fuse, though some subtle positive changes in terms of increased clarity and slight detail.
I liked the AM better in my system. The SR black was an improvement from the stock, but not as much as the AM. Also annoying that the manufacturer (SR) doesn’t know which direction it is supposed to be installed, though several of its dealers provide their own differing advice (direction of lettering). Given that AM recommends to set it one way and leave it, that wins them another 2 points. As always, it’s all system/ears dependent. YMMV.
Yes the AM fuse is not directional so that makes install son much less a problem.
However it’s imperative one clean the contact ends with their fave contact cleaner several times to remove AMs proprietary black out material which does get some residue even though Jerry is great at removing said material once he’s finished with the fuse. Every one I have has has a lot of it on the end caps specifically the one he drills to insert the black out material other stuff and the said beeswax. I use Kontak exclusively in my system and is the best of all the contact cleaners IMHO. The black out material is non conductive or should I say reduces the clean surface to get the best contact and current flow. I know there’s lots on the fuse as the first two cotton buds I’ve dipped in Kontak and scrubbed the fuse caps with have turned black with material residues. Use Kontak applied until the buds stay clean.
Also it takes at least 300 hours Playing time not just being on for the fuse material to fully settle. I know Jerry says 125 hrs minimum but every one of those I have (7) have taken a full 300 hrs before fully hitting their stride.
Thanks Dev, JM and Odd.
I think I will probably go with burning in first, as it seems from an earlier post by Ted that just having it on is burning in. So that is pretty quick. Also this way I can maybe take advantage of the 30 day return on the AM fuse if needed if I don’t like the change from stock, though I highly suspect that it will be a pretty big change for the better, judging by the comments here.
Just a follow up on the Kontak use. Is there more than one type of Kontak like there is with Dioxit, if so, which to use? Also, would you follow up cleaning with an application of Dioxit Gold?
Thanks again, I appreciate the help and advice!
i think you’re doing the right thing definitely burning it first.
Only one Kontak. It’s British. You can buy direct or the only dealer I know for sure that has it in stock is Galen Carol audio.
Galen is a true gentleman and the highest of reputations. Can’t go wrong with him.
Hi Odd,
Just a quick FYI, I talk directly with Galen and he was great. He told me that they stopped carrying Kontak as the new bottle had an evaporation issue, where after a year or so the bottle could be up to half gone, he loved the product though and wished it was in the old container.
Galen suggested 99.9% (as opposed to the drug store 99.1%) isopropyl alcohol from Amazon as an alternative, and no Deoxit as it would leave a residue that becomes sticky over time and has an audio signature that in his opinion was grainy. He said a clean tight connection was really the best. He did recommend Deoxit to remove oxidation, but then to scrub it off really well after.
Anyhow, thanks again, he really was a very nice guy to chat with and he is just a 1.5 hours away from Austin.
Best regards,
Veneet
Veneet wow. I had not noticed that as an issue. I think I have four bottles I bought direct from Kontak last year I think I’ll have to check them. I do keep them tightly sealed in ziplock bags etc though which may keep them better. The good thing is once you start using it on every connection it does use up in maybe three or four months if you clean your contacts regularly. I can’t as much as I used to because of my disability now unfortunately.
I thought Galen would be straight up and he was. He gave you a classy alternative even knowing he wouldn’t make a sale. I’ve known Galen about twenty years and he’s always been the classiest guy around.
Enjoy Vaneet!
+1 for Galen. Knowledgeable, wonderfully opinionated, straight forward. Very good guy.
I also like Kontak, having started using it years ago. The old container I have also allows the product to evaporate. Unfortunate.
I recently found an empty bottle in my closet. It wasn’t empty the last time I put it back, but then that was some time back.
That is one of the downsides. It’s incredibly volatile and evaporates fast if not covered up immediately after you dip a cotton swab in it.
Mill check and see if the bottles I have have mysteriously gotten lighter on their own.
I just re-Kontaked the connections on my system. I have about a third of a bottle left. (actually use is perhaps 1/20th of the bottle) The bottle is metal and appears to be off light gauge aluminum. Given the volatility it should have a rubber gasket.
I have had it long enough I assume this is the old-style container. But what kind of container do the rest of you have?
Hi Elk. That’s the one. It used to be a glass bottle before.
I agree reed it should be gasketed. Maybe use some flex seal. LOL.
All my my bottles are still full. I keep them wrapped in plastic bubble wrap pocketed shipping material then sealed in a ziplock bag. Guess I was thinking ahead. A first for me.
I recently put SR Blue fuses into my DSD and both my JC-1 amps, on the AC input. Tried both directions - could not hear any obvious directionality.
My conclusion is that when I do some trivial tweak in my system such as fuses or an ethernet filter, it Always sounds better, because I turn up the volume to listen for miniscule differences, and guess what? Louder almost always sounds better…
IMHO, that pretty much summarizes my feelings about improvements from audiophile fuses = trivial.
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Installed hifi tuning supreme 3 fuse in my directstream dac. Fun! Althought, opening was not so easy, made some scratches. But, … after 4x24 hours running in it seems, looks like, wishfull thinking or just illusion that I hear some positive improvements. In dsd files I hear more slam, attack, steeper transitions. And a little clearer sound. Not bad for a 40 euro tweak. Recommment it to try. Cheap, no waf involved, fun and more benefits than any other tweak for this amount of money (up to now 
).
Enjoy, berlin
Wondering about sizes/specs for the DSD Sr so I get it right the first time, and any feedback on a fuse change for the P12 that I might consider would also be appreciated. Thanks!
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From near the top of the thread:
Only the fuse marked “digital” is used, you can use the “analog” fuse as a spare.
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You rock, Ted. Thank you.