Got my order in, now the bad part of my brain asks, how do I get all three sluggos into the ZP3, CSP and UFO in the right direction on the first try? The outlet box I ordered will take a few weeks to arrive. I’m thinking of using the SDFB in one component at a time and hoping by the time the box comes I’ll be all set to run with three sluggos and one SDFB. Ah, but burn in….good problems to have!

3.15. What you wrote is exactly my plan. I ran that by Mark via email and he said that would work. From your experience, does the value need to go up or down?

Love my SDFB and piggy I use on my preamp.  Are you guys using one box for playing more than one component at the same time or just one component at a time using an outlet box?
My understanding is since sluggo’s are solid metal they would not be directional.  I am using solid silver rod I purchased and cut to 20mm. Some say it’s too much but it works great in my setup. Copper and gold plated sound excellent as well just different.  All good.

I do think there's something to the crystal structure that yields directionality--I first noticed it using Ohno copper and silver. . . and the VooDoo cabling I have with these conductors are clearly marked from the factory, and when I reverse the direction from their delineation I can clearly hear a dullness and a muffling--it's not nnight and day but noticeable. I don't know why that would be different in a solid metal (I use solid conductor cabling a lot for instance) and I don't find these Sluggos to be different in that regard.

Right now

So now I have swapped Sluggos and have a High Purity Copper Sluggo in both SDFBs.

Wow. The bass is back! And it all just sounds so good. I think this is the right combo for my system. Oomph and yet a relaxed presentation with plenty of detail.

These devices and bits of metal are something else! Since the Graphene is a bit bass shy by report at least at first. . . I think I may hold off and keep this combo going for some time.

Some cables are directional because a shield is grounded in one direction.

However your theory about direction being "short-lived" I can't subscribe to--that counters my own experience in my most resolving systems.

Lon, I may have not been clear. I am talking about directional differences with a 20mm length of highly conductive material in high voltage applications. Try reversing the sluggos after some time listening and see if a difference is noted. I think there might be, if at all. Can our ears discerned the difference over time? Why is it we can set in a noisy environment and concentrate on one sound that attracts our senses?

Sorry for the confusion.

Um John, I HAVE switched directions on these several times. And the differences have been significant, and repeated. I have done the same with basic stock fuses and fancy aftermarket fuses, and the results are the same.

So . ..  I can't speak for your audio memory or attention but mine has led me (years ago) to believe in direction differences in fuses, among other wire matters.

Goldene. That's a new one! But I'd try it!

Just got in a hollow silver Sluggo from Ali Express (my first and only order from Ali Express).

I just put it in the P15 and the initial impression is quite good.

I don't know as I don't have another or solid silver one to compare. This one is also shaped like a fuse in that it has been lathed to have "end caps" wider than the central portion.

A hollow silver cylinder is cheaper than a solid one!

It's been in place two hours or so now and it sounds clearer already. A lot like the High Purity Copper in sound but a bit "punchier" in the low end and a bit more open up top.

Lon, Sounds good.  I bought my solid silver rod from Golden State Silver https://www.goldenstatesilver.com/products/4-gauge-rod-sets .  If you contact them they will cut the 4 Ga rod to any size and will sell any length. I bought a 4 or 6 inch rod and cut it myself several to 20 mm. Did the same with solid copper. I am risk adverse and use slugs in many of my components iec power sockets without protection. 🤪Not for most but I live in a lightning free area, have never had a power socket fuse blow in many years, all components protected by a power conditioner and components are only on in my presence.  Very low risk of cords causing short or fire. I would not use slugs inside a component, that is a different story, or on very high value or rare components.  
Thats just me not for all.

Thanks for the tip on the hollow slugs Lon. Already having had really good balances with good fuses, this may solve some of my challenges with the solid ones pushing my gear a bit much, a little too heavy handed for me in components that were sound designed and fine tuned with fuses. Like I said earlier, I fixed it for the most part with a faster and more resolving "piggy." But a hollow slug, I might really like.

Based on gauge/size, I am thinking hollow would be closer to the fuse connectors (and wires connected to them) relative to conductivity. With wires and cables I have found consistently that more gauge of the same wire sounds denser/darker/fuller comparatively shifting all associated balances with that most of the time. Trying to visualize why, I wonder if the solid slug balance shifts may be to do with the bottleneck of the fuse connectors and their internal wires... the electrons through the slugs slowed down by each side of the fuse connectors and causing "turbulence" in the slug that sounds like compression... tending a little denser/darker/fuller/slower. I also like that the hollow ones I found are 5mm in diameter, the solid silver I got from goldenstate and the copper ground wire I used for my older copper slugs more like 6, stressing the plastic holder part of the IEC inlet.

I agree that it is pretty clear the difference in sound directionally with burned in slugs... Mark's copper, his gold dipped super sluggo and the goldenstate silvers. I look forward to hearing the hollow... hopefully more fine tuning choices!

I think I recall the silver slug I got smoothing and warming with time when in the P5.

Okay the Silver hollow slug has been in the P15 two more days and it is sounding really good in combination with the High Purity Copper Sluggo that has been opening up in the SEWE300B.

I'm convinced these fuse-by-passers and the SDFB device are a decided improvement for the system. So. . .because Kam is such a BAD INFLUENCE. . . and because I had one more AC-12 power cord I could apply (meaning there would be the same power cord before and after the SDFB as is the case with the first two) . . . I ordered another SDFB today for the DAC.

Lon said:

Right now I am rolling 6SN7 tubes with converter bases for the driver tubes in the SEWE300B

Could you say more, that caught my eye, and I could not figure it out. I thought the 12AU7, but you said "tubes." Are you also rolling the 6922s?

Tony

Thanks, Lon. Your follow-up gave me the picture. I'm still ten months from Sarah, but I have a trio of RCA gray glass 6SN7 with converters in my CSP 2+ that I'm still using downstairs. I'll keep a note of your findings so that next year, I can give it a try. Additionally, I have the Swiss Digital FUSE BOX, 7062,75C1s and more - everything except Sarah. All in good time.

Yup all good-You’ve been a source of inspiration for so many—glad to return the favor! The impact of the SDFB is undeniable.

When I owned Torri amps (Mk II and Mk III) the fuses were the same 5 mm x 20 mm size. . . .

Thanks GS...my eyesight is so bad there is no way I could see markings on the fuses. Appreciate the help.

Wow. I have read through post 199. I will complete the thread.

I think I'm in. I will need to confirm my fuse type, fuse rating and sluggo size & choice, for my ZMA. I would appreciate your help with that HK. Furthermore, HK, you mentioned a tight fit PI the A...with the sluggo? Help me be aware of any frustrations.

I will run pig tail PCord from High Current outlet of my PS Audio P3 > SDFB > XLO PCord > ZMA/Sluggo in IEC.

I should reintroduce myself. S of T here...(formerly Stone_of_Tone.....3217 past posts).
Went on a 5+ year hiatus.....glad to be back.


I need to get this in my signature......

Sony TPort
Illuminati D60
Shunyata Z-Alpha Digital Pcord
Decware ZDSD DAC
Kimber Select KS1030 IC
XLO Pro Pcord

**Serial Number 1 (One)**
Decware ZMA/25th Mods (3 out of 4 mods/I kept the big red Mallory's)

DIY Speaker Cables/created my own hi-bred of Kimber Select KS6063 & KS6065 (24awg solid core w/6N Silver & Neotech UP-OCCC & 19awg Kimber's best VariStrand .....9awg aggregate to speaker/12awg to each speaker post)

Acoustic Zen Adagio/Modified (single capped Mundorf Mcap Supreme-crossed at 4500)
Kimber PK10 Palladian from wall to PS Audio P3
ZDSD & ZMA plugged in to High Current outlet of P3
Transport using PS wave only



I run Redbook.....1100+ CD collection in my Decware ZDSD.....still love.

Mid-Fi Rig.....I take my ZMA hat off and play Vinyl & HT on my Polk SDA SRS 1.2 behemoths......

Thanks HK. I will call Mark when ready. Do soup to nuts. Now: Continuing and learning/enjoying the thread.

Thanks Kamran. Ubet.

S of T Glad you are back! You departed right as I was joining so I read many of your posts. The SDFB is a fantastic device, along with the Sluggo it really unleashes what these components can do.

Lon, UGH! that is such a bummer!

After an epic listening session last night. This morning I got to listen for a bit to make sure it wasn't a fluke.

With the Prototype in I just want to listen to music and not analyze it. That to me says it all.

I'll get to the analysis... just enjoying music for now

The graphene is impressive and gives all the details. Reminds me of 2003-2009 when I went to CES every year. Some of the systems, mostly the megabuck systems. Had this sound to them, hyper detailed "show stoppers" I always had the feeling that it would be too much to listen to for more than an hour or so. The graphene had that WOW factor WITHOUT the eventual burn out.

I mentioned this concern to Mark when I first put them in. Even listening late into the night it never happened and the concern vanished.

The Prototype has a more subtle wow factor. It's a lean back and be carried away into the music.

graphene is sit up and listen. It's exciting and you want to lean into the music.

Mark informed me that the prototype is going to be $$$$. I’m not sure if I’m going to go with 100% prototype or a mix. I’m leaning towards getting another graphene and another prototype and playing with them.

I’m still dumbfounded how much a small piece of metal can impact the final sound of the stereo!

Some unrelated musings on the spendier Sluggos. When taken from a how much better or how much more I’m enjoying my stereophonic experience. $250 bucks for a graphene Sluggo + $395 for the SDFB is significant money.

Let’s call it a $600-700 investment. The amount of improvement and enjoyment I don’t know how to get more bang for the buck! at $395… It’s a no brainer for the next step.

My stereo and room is just about complete. I have all my components on SDFB and Sluggos. Once I get the premium Sluggos dialed in the only thing I have left is to get my second Super Tube Rectifier, Butcher Block Acoustics slabs for them and footers. Then I really don’t know or have a desire to find out what else is possible.

GSauce, thanks......glad to be back.

Lon, woah.....glad all is good other than your Sophia Electric/bad enough.

HK, Lon, GS, Will, Kamran and others.....I sent Mark an email/ph #. I'm in.

ZMA with most current draw first.

@Lon

Please try to connect with me over the weekend

I'm concerned with what I jsut read - how and why????

Normal State for SDFB isd OPEN. MicroP and Hall Effect Sensor must be in "agreement" for Current to flow

I'm FULLY HERE to help you...

All the rest - thanks for your support. I think a few of you have been helpful over on HeadFi's thread about SDFB

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/audio-grade-fuses.419939/page-53#post-18094504

I thank you for this. Your support everywhere really helps me - I'm only one guy and without all of you............

Thanks

Prototype is expensive (sorry) but the Nano Treatments (4x) are expensive as are the materials

Graphene has shipped - only 95 of 5 x 230mm and 55 of 6 x 32mm with better Vacuum Depositing Process in effect.

More surely to follow

Appreciate all of you...

@HockessinKid

Thanks very much -

Best to all

Mark