rolled some fuses - this is what I heard

[Spiug31]

AHPII Gold : fun but constrained frequencies, flat soundstage not as detailed as Padis
AHPII Copper : less constrained than gold but not relaxing and has a very "in head sound"
default silver wire fuse : less dynamic, sounds thin as if it's underpowered
Padis 3A fuse with quicksilver connection (preferred direction) : Easily the best - wide open sound, chocolate black background, superb.
Padis 3A fuse with quicksilver connection (disliked direction) : compared to the other direction - very pinched with restricted bass and treble, much less separation of instruments.
Padis 3A fuse without quicksilver connection : compared to the non-Padis fuses listed it presents far more frequencies with far less constraint, without quicksilver it sounds better than the other fuses I've tried but with quicksilver (once it's been burned in) it gives me music

These fuses were tested in the capacitor bank I use for my minidac. Signal path is PC --usb-> EA modded battery powered UA-5 --XV2_coax-> battery powered mini-dac --> lightly modded K340's

I'll re-apply some quicksilver to the padis fuse + fuse holder tomorrow and re-start its long burn-in :sheepish grin: live and learn

The Quicksilver I use is Xtreme AV Quicksilver, after this test I am sorely tempted to get some Quicksilver gold

--edit---
All of the fuses used have had 100+ hours of use and the Padis has had nearly 600 in my preferred direction (with it's sound stabilising after 120 hours) and around 120 hours of running while in the other orientation . The fuses quicksilver had been burned in for more that 400 hours.

 

[velogreg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiug31 /img/forum/go_quote.gif AHPII Gold : fun but constrained frequencies, flat soundstage not as detailed as Padis AHPII Copper : less constrained than gold but not relaxing and has a very "in head sound" default silver wire fuse : less dynamic, sounds thin as if it's underpowered Padis 3A fuse with quicksilver connection (preferred direction) : Easily the best - wide open sound, chocolate black background, superb. Padis 3A fuse with quicksilver connection (disliked direction) : compared to the other direction - very pinched with restricted bass and treble, much less separation of instruments. Padis 3A fuse without quicksilver connection : compared to the non-Padis fuses listed it presents far more frequencies with far less constraint, without quicksilver it sounds better than the other fuses I've tried but with quicksilver (once it's been burned in) it gives me music These fuses were tested in the capacitor bank I use for my minidac. Signal path is PC --usb-> EA modded battery powered UA-5 --XV2_coax-> battery powered mini-dac --> lightly modded K340's I'll re-apply some quicksilver to the padis fuse + fuse holder tomorrow and re-start its long burn-in :sheepish grin: live and learn The Quicksilver I use is Xtreme AV Quicksilver, after this test I am sorely tempted to get some Quicksilver gold --edit--- All of the fuses used have had 100+ hours of use and the Padis has had nearly 600 in my preferred direction (with it's sound stabilising after 120 hours) and around 120 hours of running while in the other orientation . The fuses quicksilver had been burned in for more that 400 hours.

Very interesting. I wonder if the Padis or the Quicksilver made the greater difference. Have you tried the HiFi tuning fuses. I took a leap of faith on one of their silver cryo'ed over hyped version. So far, the jury is still out.

 

[ruZZ.il]

I'd love to see blind test results.

 

[LawnGnome]

If your so worried that a fuse will lessen sound quality, why not just jumper it?

The chance of requiring a fuse isn't good if you don't over run your gear.

 

[Spiug31]

Quote:

Originally Posted by velogreg Very interesting. I wonder if the Padis or the Quicksilver made the greater difference. Have you tried the HiFi tuning fuses. I took a leap of faith on one of their silver cryo'ed over hyped version. So far, the jury is still out.

It was definitely a combination that produced the best result

I haven't tried the Hi-Fi Tuning fuses (they seemed to get mixed reviews and cost a bit too much for me to justify experimenting with them)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruZZ.il I'd love to see blind test results.

Difficult to do without a specialist setup. If it helps I have a poor memory and honestly had no clear recollection of what I wrote from one fuse to the next. It's also worth noting that I first rolled these fuses around 5 months ago (prior to me getting some Quicksilver) and the Padis was what I chose from that trial as well.

Just a thought - going by looks alone the basic silver wire fuse with its clear glass sides would likely get the vote as best looking

. The Padis fuse has shiny ends but an opaque turquoise body so wouldn't be one I'd pick on looks alone.

 

[Spiug31]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawnGnome If your so worried that a fuse will lessen sound quality, why not just jumper it? The chance of requiring a fuse isn't good if you don't over run your gear.

Replacing the onboard fuse in my mini-dac needs it to be sent for servicing and costs over £80, replacing the Padis fuse costs only £17 including postage and there is little risk of my mini-dac being damaged if my Padis blows first. I am now powering my mini-dac with an (12V, 12AH) SLA battery so a high current discharge is something I'd rather not have happen.

With peace of mind, I'm free to enjoy the music

 

[rocoa]

I´ve experimented Hifi-tunig fuse on my CD player Electrocompaniet EMC-1 and this stuff really works. The sound is more vivid, there are more air around the instruments, big soundstage, Bla, bla, bla.......After burned in I change the direction and the sound is different(In one position the sound is more crisp and thel other more relaxed). Wy the polarity would make such a difference is beyound me.
I´ve also tried cleaning regular old fuses for the preamp and power with Kontak fluid, a very nice tweak that´s cheap and efective.
Now, I´m going to experimentwith other brands (padis, AHP, isoclean). I´m waiting for a fuses to put on into my Zana Deux headphone amp....
I recommend to try and listen for yourself.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawnGnome /img/forum/go_quote.gif If your so worried that a fuse will lessen sound quality, why not just jumper it?

Not safe, but that's actually a pretty good idea. It couldn't hurt to test the sound quality to see what "no fuse" sounds like. Sort of like high quality input/output capacitors vs. none.

 

[chesebert]

sigh..why are there so many tweaks...I don't have time to play with my toys.......money can't even buy you happiness in this hobby.....its money + time, which I sorely don't got any.

 

[markl]

I did google searches on both "Padis fuse" and "AHPII fuse" and virtually all that comes is this thread. Any links?

I've rolled some Hi-Fi tuning fuses in both my source and my amp. They are in fact directional, many painful swaps in an out to figure out correct orientation. Benefits, IMO, are mild, maybe half of what a decent power cable swap can do, but benefiting the same sorts of areas as a decent power cord.

 

[rocoa]

Here you are:

FUSE

Padis / Furutech Feinsicherungen 5x20mm - Neuheit! en venta en eBay.es (finaliza el 24-dic-07 15:57:02 H.Esp)
Regards

Rodrigo

 

[Spiug31]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markl I did google searches on both "Padis fuse" and "AHPII fuse" and virtually all that comes is this thread. Any links?

If you substitute "Feinsicherung" instead of fuse you'll get the german pages (both Padis, AHP and Hi-Fi Tuning are German based I think (I could be wrong) ). What persuaded me to try the AHP's was a review in a Canadian online audio magazine (which I can no longer seem to find) and other general feedback threads. I bought the Padis after I noticed that the eBay sellers seemed to have it ranked above the AHP's and with them linking it in their blurbs to Furutech I thought it worth a flutter

The AHPII fuses look to be the same ones as sold by PSAudio PS Audio - Accessories - Critical Link so searches for those may be more informative.

A search for "ahp Sicherungen" on eBay in the titles and description + within the EU resulted in both Padis and AHP fuses turning up.
Doing a google search for "ahp Kupfer" will bring up the copper (ie. non-gold plated) AHPII fuses.

p.s. I agree, information is sparse

 

[immtbiker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawnGnome /img/forum/go_quote.gif If your so worried that a fuse will lessen sound quality, why not just jumper it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not safe, but that's actually a pretty good idea. It couldn't hurt to test the sound quality to see what "no fuse" sounds like. Sort of like high quality input/output capacitors vs. none.

If you jumper it, wouldn't you run into the same dilema comparing the wiring in each jumper wire?

Does Nordost make Valhalla jumper cables and alligator clips

?

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by immtbiker /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you jumper it, wouldn't you run into the same dilema comparing the wiring in each jumper wire?

I guess so... But there would still be less connections than the fuse housing, etc. Just use your favorite wire, I guess.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not safe, but that's actually a pretty good idea.

Never, EvAR, bypass fuses in electronics. Not only can the equipment go up in smoke and sustain Major $$ damage, you can burn down your house/neighbors; and of course, all your fire/homeowner's insurance becomes void.