Fuse replacement

lanx0003

In my experience fuses do make a subtle but noticeable change, up to a point. I've found that once you get that noticeable incremental bump, going more expensive really doesn't provide much more benefit......diminishing returns.

I've settled on the Acme Audio Labs fuses. I've used both the silver/cryo and the silver/cryo/CFC fuses, and I've found subtle improvements with them. My new dedicated audio room is about 6 weeks away form completion, then I'll get back to testing again. Also the Acme fuses come CFC coated, and without the coating; and are a relative steal at $32 to $42 each.

I also got subtle improvements from the Synergistic Research Pink fuses, which I got as "add ins" with SR equipment I've bought. They are also an improvement.

Going any higher, I personally could not decern any improvement.....up to and including more expensive S.R. fuses, as well as QSA.

PS: Acme's silver plated receptacles are excellent as well, and inexpensive at $60 to $120 each. My new room I have 4 dedicated lines with the following receptacles installed: Two Furutech GTX-D (G gold plated), one Oyaide R1, and one Acme 20 amp silver/cryo/CFC receptacle.

@johnss  It seems all the caps used inside Hestia are of good quality.  I am not sure though how good the bypass caps reject HF AC noise. (don't know where it is located honestly).  All the power cores I am using now are under $100 but has tested having good quality of EMI/RFI noise shielding and 10-14 gauges.  I just want to make sure external noise won't bleed into it and the internal noise is shielded tight without polluting other component.  PC is one of the two cables I still have hard time to hear the differences as many other claimed.

@lordmelton Hi FI Tuning fuses are great for Power Amps.

This is something attracting my attention.  Would you articulate that why Hi-Fi Tuning fuses are great for power amp and (you seem to imply) not so great for a preamp which also utilize a transformer for PS.  Thx.

@vthokie83  I will do some more digging into the CPC version to find out why it yields greater resolution and sharper attack despite its relatively lower conductivity—a question I have raised before. In any case, the price is attractive, and appreciate your positive experience sharing with it.

@lanx0003 The reasons I would recommend HIFI Tuning Fuses for power amplifiers are because they are excellent fuses at a price. Some power amps take half a dozen fuses and that cost is prohibitive if using SR fuses. Plus if any fuse is going to blow,  most likely it'll be in the power amp.

I use SR Pink fuses on my pre-amp, the current is much lower and usually only one or two fuses are required. 

SR just announced a deal for June on Masterfuses. Buy one get one at half price.

Probably very rare, but I greatly dislike the idea of replacing a burned out expensive audiophile fuse with another - one and done is my comfort zone.