November 30, 2012
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HiFi-Tuning Supreme Fuse, Part 2
This marks my third foray into to the world of after-market premium fuses. My previous two tries from HiFi-Tuning were the Gold 38mm Special used in my conrad-johnson Premier 140 power amplifier and the Supreme for my Modwright/Music Hall CD-25 CDP. Both were an unqualified success, in my opinion.
So, since I’ve tried them in both a source component and an amplifier, let’s look at the end of the food chain: speakers. My reference speakers for nine years now have been the QUAD ESL-989 model. They’re not perfect, but they suit my needs, and with any luck, will outlast me.
According to a Stereophile review on the 989’s posted in November, 2002:
“Like other electrostatic loudspeakers, the ESL-989 must be plugged into AC mains to charge the diaphragms. Operating them without plugging them in can damage them. A 6VA, 100mA fuse sits in the AC socket on the speaker's rear panel next to its On/Off switch and power-on LED. The step-up transformers also have fuses, to protect the speaker's internal power supply from extreme voltage surges. Replacing these fuses involves removing the cover of the power supply.”
That last sentence is the reason why I’ve only replaced the relatively easy to access fuses positioned on the outside of the speakers.
In today’s installment, we’ll be introduced to these little devils and a future posting will address their impact on the system’s sound quality. My initial bias is that since these fuses follow last in the sonic transmission chain, their effects will be lesser in nature than those that are earlier.
Solo At Rest
Close to Home Together with Big Brother
This is Where They Belong Original Plus Spare
In Its New Home
Stay tuned.
Comments (2)
How did you know if the Quad 989 uses slow or fast-blow fuses?
Dang, now you have to try the Supreme fuses in both directions. Can't wait for your Part 3!
@rpghero27 -
The letter "T" in front of the fuse description (see photo "This Is Where They Belong" above) means slow blow. If I'd taken a better picture of the fuse box, you would've seen "T100mamp" on the back. I'll give them a while in this orientation, then will flip them. An audiophile's work is never done.