Forums - non stock fuse replacements

kulafu Seasoned Member Posts: 207	non stock fuse replacements 12/15/21 at 15:45:58 Greetings, I am considering buying non-stock fuses for DECWARE products. I have been reading the manuals and various threads and so I have an idea of ratings and sizes for each. Size is 5mmX20mm. My question: Should they be slow or fast blow?
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23459	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #1 - 12/15/21 at 15:47:22 I'd recommend Slow Blow. I have been using these in my Decware components. No downside in my experience. Welcome to the world of audiophile fuse rolling!
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kulafu Seasoned Member Posts: 207	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #2 - 12/15/21 at 15:50:12 Lon, Thanks! Does an AA group exist? Audiophile Anonymus Group?
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23459	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #3 - 12/15/21 at 15:52:37 We could use one. "Hi. I'm Lon. I'm an audiophile. And unrepentant! I just can't stop."
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kulafu Seasoned Member Posts: 207	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #4 - 12/15/21 at 15:56:59 Hi, I'm Bob. I'm an audiophile. And unrepentant! I just can't stop. Because I love it and it makes me happy!
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23459	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #5 - 12/15/21 at 18:50:32 We're birds of the same flock.
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Drew T

Ex Member

Re: non stock fuse replacements
Reply #6 - 12/16/21 at 01:05:23

I’m always hesitant to comment on what I believe to be the no brainer benefits of upgrading from cheap stock fuses as it often seems to cause a lot of consternation and angry venting from fuse skeptics . I was a very much a skeptic as well until I tried them in my system - now I wouldn’t be without them. I’m using the SR Purple fuses in my Reasonesence Mirus DAC, Limetree Network Streamer LPS and my Croft Pre Amp . The improvement in clarity , detail , soundstage etc is quite remarkable - it’s not subtle . I have no connection with the SR brand - I’m just sharing my very positive experience .

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Archie Seasoned Member Posts: 2731	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #7 - 12/16/21 at 02:11:44 You're preaching to the wrong choir. I've never heard anyone on this Forum get angry or defensive about upgrading fuses.
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Drew T

Ex Member

Re: non stock fuse replacements
Reply #8 - 12/16/21 at 02:45:46

Well first of all - I’m not preaching . Secondly , I wasn’t referring to the “choir” here at Decware - god forbid . I was simply sharing my genuine enthusiasm for the SR Purple fuse and also the hostile skepticism and resistance that I’ve come up against on various audiophile websites when the subject of upgrading fuses is raised . In any event , thank you for informing me that skepticism doesn’t exist here .

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spyder1 Ex Member	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #9 - 12/16/21 at 03:41:52 I have been using HiFi-Tuning {Supreme} fuses for many years. A 3.0 T fuse resides in my SE84UFO. They are on sale at Parts Connexion.
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Drew T Ex Member	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #10 - 12/16/21 at 03:44:30 Right on - I’ve read many good things about HiFi tuning fuses .
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Archie Seasoned Member Posts: 2731	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #11 - 12/16/21 at 06:26:10 My mistake. English is my first language but I often can't read between the lines!
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Melvin Ex Member	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #12 - 12/16/21 at 12:49:39 I've been very skeptical of "audiophile" fuses up until recently, but will take the plunge some time after the new year. I think I'll try ceramic first and go from there. I trust the guys here. Other forums, not so much. Best Regards, Melvin* *another unrepentant type in need of group meetings
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23459	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #13 - 12/16/21 at 14:05:02 Stay away from the Decaf coffee. The jelly donuts are pretty good. Ceramic fuses are a good start. I think more than one audiophile brand use these as their "base" to which they add their modifications.
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kulafu

Seasoned Member

Posts: 207

Re: non stock fuse replacements
Reply #14 - 12/16/21 at 15:18:42

I am curious if any of our esteemed AA members have any experience with Acme Audio Lab Silver Cryo fuses. For the price, it may worth a try before I consider taking a plunge on the Synergistic Purple Fuse at ~$200 (ouch). Here is one review:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1021/Acme_Audio_Labs_Silver_Cryo...

Bob

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Hekowee Verified Member Posts: 27	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #15 - 12/17/21 at 18:04:48 Thanks to Kulafu’s recent post I’ve decided to purchase some Acme Audio Labs ceramic (Cryo) fuses for my Torii Jr. (6.3 amp), CSP 3 (3.15 amp), and the ZROCK (1.6 amp). The dealer that seems to have the best inventory only goes down to a 2.0 amp. Does anyone have thoughts about using the 2 amp fuse to replace the 1.6?
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CAJames

Seasoned Member

"I've run every
red light on memory
lane."

Posts: 1651

Re: non stock fuse replacements
Reply #16 - 12/17/21 at 21:57:27

I've been very skeptical of "audiophile" fuses up until recently, but will take the plunge some time after the new year. I think I'll try ceramic first and go from there. I trust the guys here. Other forums, not so much.

So was I. I started with ceramic fuses and now I have 3 Synergistic Research Orange (aka "hundred buck") fuses in my system. You've been warned.

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23459	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #17 - 12/17/21 at 22:01:11 Yes, I started with lower priced fuses and now I have Orange, Purple, Blue and Audio Magic Super fuses in use. And glad of it.
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__Jon__ Verified Member Posts: 30	Re: non stock fuse replacements Reply #18 - 12/21/21 at 03:39:38 Embarrassingly, earlier in my audiophile journey I once replied the spare stock fuse in my DAC with a Synergistic Orange fuse (thinking I had replaced the actual in use fuse). Fortunately, I heard no difference and caught my mistake when I was swapping things back…. Had a nice chuckle at myself.
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Tony

Seasoned Member

"Life without
..music is
inconceivable"
A.Einsteln

Posts: 621

Re: non stock fuse replacements
Reply #19 - 01/16/22 at 19:56:26

I am beginning to think about fuses for my Decware products. I have read that there is a range of fuse upgrades from lower-priced ceramics to expensive Synergistic Research Purple. I got that. A common denominator for fuse replacement for Decware products is SB 5X20mm. I got that too. Descriptions for amps seem to vary, although 3 - 3.15 seem like a standard reference. References to volts are less common, but I have seen 240V mentioned. I'm not sure about that. I have a dedicated line of 120V for my power conditioner.

First question: Are these metrics correct for my amp?

Next, how many fuses are there in an amp? Initially, I thought there was only one, but it appears that some amps (all?) have more than one. So if I replace the fuses (assuming more than one), I should do it for all the fuses in that amp to make a difference?

Second question: Do each Decware product take a different fuse with different metrics? For example, I saw fuse references to a Torii Jr. (6.3 amp), CSP 3 (3.15 amp), and the ZROCK (1.6 amp). So I should check each product to identify its replacement fuse?

The SE84UFO Manual states: Fused 5 x 20 mm 3 AMP/120V or 1.6 AMP/240V. I could not find a similar statement regarding fuse description anywhere in the Torii MKIV manual.

Also, should I be thinking of replacing fuses in other components of my system? For example, would I also want to replace fuses in the DAC and the streamer?

Finally, I have a slight hum in my amp. I have tried most of the suggested hum management suggestions given by others without success. Since I am unaware of it when listening to music, it's more of a curiosity than an issue. I read a post by Steve that a rectifier fuse may cause a hum.

Question 3: Assuming there is more than one rectifier fuse in my Torii, could the hum be caused by one of the rectifier fuses?

Thanks in advance for any guidance you might be able to give on these questions.

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GroovySauce

Seasoned Member

Posts: 815

Re: non stock fuse replacements
Reply #20 - 01/17/22 at 13:42:59

I’ve had great results with fuses. Every component I have has an aftermarket fuse in it.

5x20mm is the fuse size for DECWARE components and a many others.

Slow Blow vs Fast Blow. depends on the component.

250v is the voltage rating. They can be used in with voltages up to 250v. Every 5x20mm I’ve seen is stamped 250v.

Once you get the size and SB or FB, amp rating is the most important. If there is an issue you want the fuse to blow, not the component starting a fire.

The fuse rating is based off of the voltage going into the amp, NOT what is stamped on the fuse.

Yes different components have different values of fuse. Check the manual for what fuse use however, I’m not sure about the Torii Jr. as the manual contradicts itself.

For 120v. Torii MKIV 5A SB is the fuse that it’s shipped with.

Different components have different amount of fuses. Some of the DECWARE amps have more fuses inside.

Since fuses are specific values swapping between components isn’t always possible. I have gone above the rated fuse value to try a fuse in a component. This is a safety issue and should be a monitored situation until the proper value of fuse is put back in.

Don’t use a lower value than the component calls for as it can blow.

There is no “best” fuse. I really like the Ultimate Beeswax fuses in general. In my DAC I didn’t like them at all. I did just get a SR Purple and I put in the DAC last week, it seems to be an improvement. I’m going to wait until it has 200+ hours before doing comparisons.

I have some ~$20-40 fuses that are an improvement over the standard fuses. The more expensive fuses are generally better not always, where the line of diminishing returns is I don’t know.

All fuses do seem to be directional. Fuses that state they are not I have heard differences by swapping directions.

I have a slight hum with my Torii MKIV. I doubt changing the rectifier fuse will make a difference with hum.

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