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Review: Furutech TF-10A Pure Transmission Fuse Tweak

Category: Accessories

I purchased this fuse mainly as a cheap power upgrade for my Burson HA-160 since I was unable to use the upgraded power cable I purchased. I figured, for the amount of money to purchase a fuse, if the benefit was as good as others had stated, then at least it's worth a shot.

Before installing the fuse I played one of my more familiar discs (Sade-The Best of Sade) just to implant the overall sound paying close attention to image depth, soundstage width, details and tone. I then powered down the system, installed the Furutech fuse and powered back up. I waited a few minutes before listening, but was interested to see what the immediate changes (if any) would be. I will just say that the first impression was a night and day noticeable difference between the Furutech and the stock fuses. There was a clearly evident improvement in 3 dimensionality of images. A tad bit more extension to the higher frequencies, although very smooth and grain-free. Also, an additional punch to leading edges that were most noticeable in the beginning of words, such as words that begin with "b","d","f", etc. Even though you know the word the singer is singing, hearing them sound it out properly is nice and a trait you may not know you miss until you hear it more correctly reproduced. I was also impressed that the tone of the amp was allowed to remain fairly balanced throughout the spectrum as well.

I then let the amp/cdp run for an additional 24 hours and listened again for any changes that might have taken place. Unfortunately, the additional extension in the highs had settled, and were a bit rolled off in comparison to my initial experience, yet still a slight improvement over the stock fuse. I am pleased to say that the other improvements were still in place. The biggest area of gain for me was the 3 dimensional images. It truly makes the difference between hearing some music and actually being able to picture the instruments and singers. Soundstaging was plenty wide with good separation. When playing my favorite metal band Opeth, I could clearly hear the guitars, bass, keyboards, drums and vocals in their 3 dimensional glory even when all members were jamming along hard and heavy.

My next test was to use my other source...an iPod. The iPod is connected via the line out connection to rca's using Wireworld cable, so it's a pretty decent source believe it or don't. Yes, there was noticeable improvements even with the limited format of iTunes material. The biggest gain again would have to be the 3 dimensional images that helped to paint a more realistic image. Positive Feedback has a brief statement about the Furutech fuses in which they use the word organic. This word I feel is as good as any I would have chosen to describe them myself.

72 hours into use and the sound remains pretty much the same as after the first 24 hours. For the price of entry, I highly recommend. It has given me improvements comparable to a good aftermarket power cable, and I do mean a good one. I might have to get one for the Primo next.

Associated gear
Burson Audio HA-160
Audio Analogue Primo CD
Sennheiser HD650

Similar products
Stock fuse installed in the amp
bowenski
4 responses Add your response
keithtexas
352 posts
 
I have to agree with this review.

I took a chance and bought a Furutech TF 3.15a fuse for my Wyred4Sound DAC2.

VERY noticeably better. Much cleaner highs and midrange, bass not quite as noticeable.

I am now a believer. The change was actually more noticeable than a power cord change or an interconnect cable change - and everyone knows how much we can spend on power cords and ICs. :-|
gbmcleod
427 posts
 
This is very interesting.
I'm going to suggest that the Furutech is not universal in all applications. I purchased several for an NAD integrated. Now, keep in mind that an NAD has a rather "rich" sound, weighted as it is towards the midrange and bass.
With the Furutech, I noticed a "leanness" to the sound that I did not initially notice (I have Furutech outlets as well and thought them very good), but eventually decided to test out my theory by buying a pair of 6.3 amp Synergistic Research fuses for the NAD and replaced the Furutechs. The other two fuses (there are a total of 5 fuses in the NAD) are still Furutechs.
I was chagrined to realize that the Synergistic Research restored the tonal color of brass, and that the "bleached out" sound I had heard was immediately attributable to the Furutechs. I am speaking of their placement in the NAD so far.
I also had a Furutech in the PS Audio Power Plant, so after putting the Synergistics in the NAD and immediately realizing that the sound had gone from that of Premium Ice Cream to that of Ice Milk (thinner tasting) with the Furutechs, switched back to the Synergistic fuses I had previously had in the PS Audio (I have both the SR and the Red in 5 amp size, which fit the PS Audio) Power Plant. The same effect occurred: tonality was restored - and not a euphonic tonality. I know this because I love brass instruments and hear them live frequently enough to know their sound. Perhaps it is merely the place one puts the Furutechs, but I could "see" other instruments, such as flutes, piccolos, and clarinets being restored - tonally speaking, to their original tones. I could see if it only happened on a few CDs, but the Mercury Living Presence CD of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is one of Mercury's best CDs, and it is NOT lean. I've heard it with Jadis equipment, VTL, Antique Sound Lab, Hegel, Parasound and Conrad Johnson over the past 25 years (it is one of my favorite pieces of music) and it has never, EVER sounded bleached out. At least, not until I put in the Furutechs. Soooo, I would recommend that one proceed with caution. 
I saw  another thread where the poster also noticed a "leaning out" of the mid bass. I would suggest the Furutech might also lean out the upper bass fundamentals, too. This is not to disparage them, but they are the only ones (out of Hi Fi Supreme, Synergistic and one other expensive fuse whose name escapes me right now) that has produced this effect. I had even put Furutech IECs in my Hurricane amps, and wondered why they did not sound quite the same. I'll have to change to another brand of IECs before I can be sure (one amp at a time, so I can maintain control of the experiment), but the sound is still harsher on the brass on the Mercury than it has ever been. I will be getting a Synergistic fuse to place back into the NAD (the third of 5 fuses), a 500mA fuse. That should tell me what I want to know.
Again, not at all a condemnation. Just a caution.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Just following up on comments here.  I originally tested the Furutech fuse along with several other fuses a few years ago.  I came to the conclusion that the Furutech was the "fastest" fuse (i.e. all the instruments hit faster with more authority), but it seemed too "solid-state" sounding to me.

Years later, after playing with multiple types of power plugs, I have determined that the rhodium plated items from Furutech really take 250+ hours to fully burn in before they sound best.  In the first 100 hours you will have a natural roll-off of the high frequencies.  Bass can also be lean.  I think bass comes back after 100 hours, but between 100-200 hours the highs become really bright and harsh, causing everything else to sound harsh.  After 200+ hours, the rhodium finally starts to calm down and after 250+ hours they really start to open up and just sound absolutely phenomenal.  The resolution and strength and punch and bass power (the whole deal) is just awesome.

I have no problem with the brass instruments that gbmcleod said he didn't like.  Once it's burned it, it does everything perfectly.  I came back to this fuse after a long time listening to Isoclean and wanted more resolution.  The Isoclean's were great and very warm, but they did have as much high frequency resolution.  The Synergistic SR20 had resolution and were very fast, but they just didn't sound real (they were cold sounding to me).  I tried Synergistic RED, but it was just too soft (not enough resolution).  I didn't like Hi-Fi Tuning because I don't like the sonic signature of silver (it pushed the upper mids/highs and just didn't sound as real to me) - though many people like this.   After working through A/C power connectors and determining the rhodium copper alloy from Furutech was the best, I tried the Furutech fuses again.  I think many people just haven't given enough break-in time for these fuses.  I think the rhodium plated copper end-caps and the copper alloy conductor are the best materials to use.  Furutech puts a damping filler in the fuse to help with electrical resonance of the very thin fuse element (as akin to what Audio Magic does with LittleFuse fuses).

thuanb
1 posts
 
Agreed with the findings.  I've just received two small Furutech fuses for TeddyPardo PSUs, one powering a JCAT USB FEMTO card, the other powering Linkwitz electronic crossover.  Immediate listening revealed an increase in holographic imagery, sound stage depth and width, clarity.  Lower register, however, were reduced noticeably.  I left the setup on while going out for lunch, then came back after 2 hours.  Things stayed the same, gone was the overly warmth and upper bass prominence I used to get with stock fuses.

Overall, even a long way before break-in, I find the SQ much cleaner, noticeably leaner, more 3 dimensional.  Let's hope for a more balanced SQ after break-in.
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