To me one of the downsides to this device is all the extra power cords, not just the cost, but spaghetti Factor of all the extra wires behind my rack. I’m visualizing a rat’s nest.
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Not sure if they are ready for general sale yet, but Vera-Fi Audio has developed a, supposedly, high-quality power cable dubbed (at least initially) the “1-Footer” for use with the SDFB.
One can place it before or after the SDFB.
FYI.
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Good to know, thanks.
As the manufacturer, we can only recommend using a fuse that fits the spec that we publish. Bob, chief engineer is quite strict about this.
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The funny thing is putting a solid copper rod in place of the fuse in the fuse holder still involves the nickel plated copper contacts that make up the fuse holder. The whole idea looks like someone just thinking, oh, I can make a bunch of money on a device to substitute for a fuse! I guess it is no more insane than charging $500 for a fuse!
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It is a lot more insane because if you use one of these and your amplifier blows up you will have invalidated the PS Audio warranty, and last time I looked PS Audio amplifiers cost more than $500.
PS Audio BHK amplifier manuals clearly state to use “H rated” fuses. PS Audio will send you replacements if needed. I looked and there does not appear to be an audiophile after-market replacement. They allow high-current high-transient inrush current. The Vera website describes the Swiss product acting as a current brick wall:
I think @jamesh has made the point and thanks to him for checking it out with Bob and giving pretty unambiguous advice.
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I would say it’s way less insane paying for the Fuse box vs a high end fuse that can easily self destruct. But knowing now that if something happened to my PSA gear and I was using the Fuse box instead of a fuse, it would void the warranty, I’m going to pass.
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I’m looking at the regular fuse thing as well.
I have so far looked at three brands selling “audiophile” safety fuses, the ones we in the UK use in plugs, rated 3A, 5A and 13A. The are heavily regulated, ceramic, filled with silica with mainly lead wire. Prices for these fuses range from $30 to $10,000. I have received written confirmation from all of these manufacturers that underneath the rebranding, all of these fuses are Bussmann fuses. I was in the supermarket last night and they were selling a pack of 5 of these Bussmann fuses for $1.30.
So if these fuses blow, they are almost certain to blow safely. The price increase is justified by rebranding and usually some sort of magic treatment, but physically modifying the fuse would make it illegal.
Fuses that are not safety fuses, which are not regulated in the UK, all that is at risk is your audio equipment, which could still set your house on fire or cost you a lot of money for a non-warranty repair. @jamesh has made clear the position with PSA and your can read the manual and warranty yourself, and there is apparently no audiophile alternative anyway. On the other hand, Innuos told me in writing it was perfectly safe to replace the 2A fuse in their device with an after-market audiophile fuse.
It seems pretty simple - check with the manual or contact the manufacturer. Be safe and check the warranty.
One importer (of the $10,000 fuse) told me that they use Bussmann because certification is so expensive and can take years. Audiophiles like bespoke hand-made products, but the opposite is the truth for fuses, because they need to be mass produced using highly accurate automated processes, with automated quality control.
The problem I see with this Swiss product is that it seems to be a brick wall device, cutting out at a certain current. That is not how regular fuses work, they allow overcurrent, sometimes a low overcurrent for quite a long time, others a high overcurrent for a very short time. There is no suggestion from @o2audio that the Swiss can replicate these specifications.
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Second SDFB (specified for use with the PSA DS Sr. DAC) arrived today along with a new offering to compliment the installation and ameliorate all of that Spaghetti @Gary_M was so concerned about. 
The “1-Footer” appears to be well constructed and fit for duty. Not sure if it is the optimum supplemental length or not. See picture below.
My initial thinking is this power cable is like most kit, in that its usefulness will be system dependent.
My understanding is these will be available en mass for $99, shipping included. (I am assuming this pricing, with shipping included, is limited to North America.) I suggest you reach out to Mark (@o2audio) if you are interested.
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Why would this be a problem, in theory or practice?
Enquiring minds would like to know.
Cheers.
I don’t see why software can’t replicate rate of current draw. It only needs to remember what’s happened over the last ‘x’ time units and analyse it.
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If you have no problem going against the firm advice of the Chief Engineer of PSA and use a product that clearly invalidates your warranty, then great. Just remember that PSA amplifiers use somewhat esoteric fuses, you have no idea if the Swiss can model them, and the maker Vera makes it clear it’s down to YOU to specify the fuse characteristics and if it goes wrong it’s your problem, not theirs. Read the small print.
I’d sure you’re right, that’s just not what this product does. The customer has to specify the rating, Swiss don’t measure anything.
I really don’t know what to think of your harping in this thread, now that you seem to just be throwing pasta at the wall.
I understand how fuses work.
I understand how the SDFB works.
I understand why PSA has to take the position it does w/r/t using the SDFB in lieu of a fuse (it’s really no different than any manufacturer’s position in honoring warranties and making/covering repairs on modified equipment).
And, finally, I understand how to read a product manual to determine the fuse specifications and communicate those specifications so the SDFB can be set to those specifications.
Another “does not follow” response, which I don’t understand…
In response to your deleted post, maybe it’s a matter of perspective. Some people will be blind to any risk for the last 1% of audio performance, even if it’s illusory and they’re given firm advice not to do it.
I’ve been engaged in various matters relating to electrical safety and product liability over more than 30 years, and much else besides. The consequences can be massive commercial loss, injury and death. I’ve seen all sorts of things, people chopped in half by a faulty elevator, most of a village wiped out by faulty brakes on a truck. What often strikes me is that these things often arise from something very small, sometimes just a lightbulb, this video was from a small fault on an electrical distribution board in a cupboard. The reported loss was $150m. Thankfully no-one died.
This electrical fire about 5 years ago was closer to home - we could smell it - my house is 100 yards to the left of the photo. (One house was destroyed, the one to the right badly damaged.)
If you think I’m paranoid about the safely of regulated mains supplies or high-powered electrical devices, then I would agree with you.
I don’t discount your safety concerns and I understand them (and your perspective, in light of your life’s work).
That said, I don’t share your assessment of the product and apparent belief that it poses such risks.
I am astute enough to realize you and I will not find common ground (no pun intended) on this issue so I deleted my two most recent posts in order to try and let the horse lying on the ground between us die in peace. Since you insist on addressing the deleted post(s) despite my effort to leave well enough alone, I am restoring them.
Cheers.
I’m just glad @jamesh replied on behalf of PS Audio. People do stupid things and sometimes they just can’t be stopped. Most of the time they get away with it, but on rare occasions someone pays a heavy price. In the UK seat belts became compulsory 40 years ago. Before that people would drive all their lives, never wear a seat belt and never get a scratch, but the regulation reduced deaths by 30% in the first year.
Ultimately, I don’t think anyone wants to put their audio equipment at risk of damage, and that is from someone who blew up a Lelit coffee machine two weeks ago. I was cleaning it up for re-sale, I plugged it in, it went bang and it died a quick death. RIP
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I don’t live in the U.K. although I love all things British -
That said - I’m reminded of this quote from a friend watching this thread
I’m going to keep doing what I do to push the envelope for better sound and if nothing but the PURE ENJOYMENT of improving the performance of my audio system - and hopefully yours too
Best wishes - Mark
This can easily go down the rabbit hole of non-UL approved power cords. Are the Whisper cords UL certified?
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