I love to hear fuse opinions. I don't know how or why, but they work.
Audio Magic Super fuse
- Thread starter johnthomas
- Start date
I love to hear fuse opinions. I don't know how or why, but they work.
highstream
Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2013
- Messages
- 149
I have a question. I'm burning in a couple of these Super now on Focal CMS 40 powered speakers. With power fuses, do the speakers have to be on for the burnin to work? I know the destination component doesn't to have to be on with cables, but am not sure whether or not a break in the circuit, presumably right after the fuse, stops the current at the entry point.
Btw, to those that question the value of fuse upgrades, I guarantee there was an enormous difference with these straight out of the box, in some ways more than switching power cords. It will be interesting to see if these Super's lose their upper edginess with time, as cables commonly do. These are not my first fuse upgrades - Hi-Fi Tuning (both versions) and Acme - so I know from direct comparisons with stock fuses that they lend big improvements. However, the only direct comparison I've done between upgrade ones was between the HFT Supreme and the Acme, with the former being a bit better in the application, Emotiva airmotiv 4 speakers (those fuses notably took much of the forwardness and edginess out of those speakers, while adding detail and depth/breadth). OTOH, that Acme is doing wonderfully as a power fuse for a Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11. So well in fact that the increase in background noise around the announcers' booths at some "quiet" sporting events - e.g., golf, tennis - is making it harder to hear them at times.
Btw, to those that question the value of fuse upgrades, I guarantee there was an enormous difference with these straight out of the box, in some ways more than switching power cords. It will be interesting to see if these Super's lose their upper edginess with time, as cables commonly do. These are not my first fuse upgrades - Hi-Fi Tuning (both versions) and Acme - so I know from direct comparisons with stock fuses that they lend big improvements. However, the only direct comparison I've done between upgrade ones was between the HFT Supreme and the Acme, with the former being a bit better in the application, Emotiva airmotiv 4 speakers (those fuses notably took much of the forwardness and edginess out of those speakers, while adding detail and depth/breadth). OTOH, that Acme is doing wonderfully as a power fuse for a Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11. So well in fact that the increase in background noise around the announcers' booths at some "quiet" sporting events - e.g., golf, tennis - is making it harder to hear them at times.
mg8
New member
I think of the fuse like the "weakest link". Less than 3 years ago I thought that A/C cable upgrades were laughable. I know how much of an impact they have now. Shocking when the first A/C cable went from OEM to Acrolink. The fuse a more subtle impact but completely noticeable. The fuse is just down steam from that $100-2000 a/c cable. It is small, cheap metal and susceptible to vibration issues. I have used the Synergistic Research quantum fuse, the hifi tuning silver, and now the Audio Magic Super fuse. Unfortunately, these fuses were on different components so no direct comparisons can be asserted by me but they were on the source component. I can say that they had a noticeable effect. I tend to like the Synergistic Research and Audio Magic fuses impact best. I feel they have the most desirable impact. I am not the last authority on anything audio (or anything for that matter) but the Super Fuse is one step further than the SR quantum. They both have the detail, full range extension, enhanced liquidity of the music flow, and enhanced layering of the soundstage. The Super fuse is my pick. I am using it in the Oppo 105, along with other Audio Magic goodies and I will likely swap the Hifi tuning fuse in the Job 225 for a Audio Magic Super Fuse. I think mods begin with the source as the priority but I expect the preamp and amp to perform better if the A/C has a better fuse in the current path. I do think the expectations should be rational. It is not a new component but it will unlock desirable attributes of your existing gear.
I appreciate your trust Steve. :blush: Thank you.
highstream
Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2013
- Messages
- 149
I hadn't followed up my earlier post with the Super's in the Focal's. mg8's comments capture what I hear, although I find them a touch dry (improved with aging) and voices a bit recessed vs. the stock fuse, neither of which I prefer. The effect of the change was, absolutely speaking, the greatest I'd experienced, with Acme or either HFT version on other components (don't have the HFT Supreme anymore to compare).
Someone wondered how or why fuses make a difference. The way I see it is they are in the electrical power path, so it's as if one were changing a very short power cord. However, for an engineer, or least some, there are limits to what such a change can do, for example, not tonality. Here's an explanation I received the other day from one who makes excellent cables, amplifiers and speakers (and power cords on special order):
"Power cables do not transfer the music signal, like interconnects or speaker cables, so they do not (can not) change 'tonality'. What they are supposed to do (primarily) is transfer power to your electronics, power amp especially, without constraints. That's why we make them with solid, thick, pure copper wires like described below. What's the effect on sound? The primary effect you should experience is improved sound 'solidity' and better defined (more solid) bass. Also, you may notice a cleaner ('blacker') background and less noise due to shielding. That may be more or less noticeable depending on how 'noisy' is your environment."
When I replied that theory aside, as a listener I hear tonality differences between cords, typically within the first hour of burnin, and moreover some small cable companies explicitly advertise tonality differences, even to order, he replied:
"True, all cables make some difference that can be perceived by a listener one or another way since we all hear differently. I have no doubts that you experienced that difference the way you described it. The comments in the message were from a designer and an engineer point of view. Sadly, this industry tends to overhype, overpromise, and exaggerate as a part of various companies marketing campaigns. Interestingly enough, more overhype is usually linked to less science and an indicator of what a specific company stands for. So, it shouldn't be taken for granted. Sad reality."
Theory aside, I still hear tonal differences and still see professional reviewers speaking about them. I also picked up a tonal difference between the Acme vs. HFT Supreme in a pair of Emotiva airmotiv4 speakers, the former being a bit darker (and not quite as clear).
Someone wondered how or why fuses make a difference. The way I see it is they are in the electrical power path, so it's as if one were changing a very short power cord. However, for an engineer, or least some, there are limits to what such a change can do, for example, not tonality. Here's an explanation I received the other day from one who makes excellent cables, amplifiers and speakers (and power cords on special order):
"Power cables do not transfer the music signal, like interconnects or speaker cables, so they do not (can not) change 'tonality'. What they are supposed to do (primarily) is transfer power to your electronics, power amp especially, without constraints. That's why we make them with solid, thick, pure copper wires like described below. What's the effect on sound? The primary effect you should experience is improved sound 'solidity' and better defined (more solid) bass. Also, you may notice a cleaner ('blacker') background and less noise due to shielding. That may be more or less noticeable depending on how 'noisy' is your environment."
When I replied that theory aside, as a listener I hear tonality differences between cords, typically within the first hour of burnin, and moreover some small cable companies explicitly advertise tonality differences, even to order, he replied:
"True, all cables make some difference that can be perceived by a listener one or another way since we all hear differently. I have no doubts that you experienced that difference the way you described it. The comments in the message were from a designer and an engineer point of view. Sadly, this industry tends to overhype, overpromise, and exaggerate as a part of various companies marketing campaigns. Interestingly enough, more overhype is usually linked to less science and an indicator of what a specific company stands for. So, it shouldn't be taken for granted. Sad reality."
Theory aside, I still hear tonal differences and still see professional reviewers speaking about them. I also picked up a tonal difference between the Acme vs. HFT Supreme in a pair of Emotiva airmotiv4 speakers, the former being a bit darker (and not quite as clear).
Mister Pig
New member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2014
- Messages
- 33
I have the second generation fuse from Audio Magic in my DAC, amplifier, and phono stage. I found them to be a worthwhile addition to my system, as they result in a refinement that cannot be duplicated by any other component. Actually I use several of the Audio Magic pieces in my system, such as the Mini Reference power conditioner, The Pulse Gen Clafifiers, the Speaker Clarifiers, and the Blue Dot Ground Disruptor. I consider them foundational pieces that allow my components to reach their potential. The battle against noise and the effects of FR and EMI fields is worthwhile, as it provides a blacker background to the music and an improved focus and vitality to performers. I think they are worth the cost.
Regards
Mister Pig
Regards
Mister Pig
watercourse
Member
Have heard the SR Quantum, HFT gold, silver, and Supreme, and the Furutech.
The SR and Furutechs are very similar in sound, in that they increase apparent detail, macrodynamics, and treble/bass extension. Probably the bass is what people will notice the most, along with a little more speed. Would be best to balance an overly warm component or system.
The HFT Supreme seems to lower the noise floor, so that detail is more apparent, but also gives a more liquid tone overall. Very very good for digital (I have it in my DAC). I would not bother with the HFT golds or silvers as the former tends to slow things down too much, and the latter makes things edgy.
EDIT: The SR fuses have proven to be more sensitive to inrush than their nominal rating would suggest. I would contact SR, who are very helpful in matching fuse rating to gear, prior to purchasing their fuses.
The SR and Furutechs are very similar in sound, in that they increase apparent detail, macrodynamics, and treble/bass extension. Probably the bass is what people will notice the most, along with a little more speed. Would be best to balance an overly warm component or system.
The HFT Supreme seems to lower the noise floor, so that detail is more apparent, but also gives a more liquid tone overall. Very very good for digital (I have it in my DAC). I would not bother with the HFT golds or silvers as the former tends to slow things down too much, and the latter makes things edgy.
EDIT: The SR fuses have proven to be more sensitive to inrush than their nominal rating would suggest. I would contact SR, who are very helpful in matching fuse rating to gear, prior to purchasing their fuses.
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