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Post by MartinT on May 8, 2018 19:18:09 GMT
Excellent result, Zappy. I'd never come across PADIS fuses before but we can add them to the recommended list.
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Post by TheMooN on May 9, 2018 13:31:30 GMT
The PADIS are manufactured by Furutech Martin, roumered that the Furutech brand fuses may have additional rhodium plating on the end caps by way of accounting for the price differential, either that or merely Furutech branding attracts a higher RRP !?
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Post by AlanS on May 9, 2018 14:12:14 GMT
As Martin and fellow fuse enthusiasts will know I have been curious about those who enthuse as much as this forums members do about fuses, Out of the same curiosity I ran a search on www.diyaudio.com/index.php with just the word fuse. I was not surprised to find for the last month the only mention of fuses is in regard to fuse holders for tube amps. Not a single audiophile fuse mention. Now those members are the sort of folks I would go to for advice. They know how to make things. I did briefly consider trying a audiophile fuse this morning but as Moon member advocates spending large amounts to be sure one has a significant experience I decided it is unlikely to be the same experience for me. Alternative points of view always interest me. I bought a linear PSU for one of my rPi’s. Only to discover on the same site it is highly unlikely one hears audible benefits. Everything is digital. Do you know I swapped that back for the cheap dreaded by some SMPS supply. Did I get a shock? Just embarrassed that I has spent £150 unnecessarily. I shall watch your reporting with interest. |
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Post by MartinT on May 9, 2018 14:34:47 GMT
Quite apart from the many people who can hear the effect of improved power supplies, the phrase "Everything is digital", meaning that such changes cannot have an effect, is erroneous.
The data itself (binary ones and zeros) may not change but its timing and time domain stability (jitter) most certainly do have an effect further downstream. We've said many times that "everything is important" and that lesson keeps driving itself home with improvements in sound quality made via better power supplies, re-clocking, noise reduction and equipment supports.
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Post by dsjr on May 9, 2018 15:05:09 GMT
As Martin and fellow fuse enthusiasts will know I have been curious about those who enthuse as much as this forums members do about fuses, Alternative points of view always interest me. I bought a linear PSU for one of my rPi’s. Only to discover on the same site it is highly unlikely one hears audible benefits. Everything is digital. Do you know I swapped that back for the cheap dreaded by some SMPS supply. Did I get a shock? Just embarrassed that I has spent £150 unnecessarily. £150 for any audio add-on is not possible at present (the car will be in need of funds shortly), but I had fun recently, assembling up a cheap linear supply for the 'fiver DAC' I'd had for a couple of years (a tenner when I bought it but routinely a fiver now). I already had a sealed 30VA toroid from RD Components and a cheap adjustable regulated supply from China which was well under a tenner to buy.
The cheapo DAC is really quite good used with it's wall-wart supply. No 'digital nasties' whatsoever and if the thing isn't as 'expansive' as a considerably more costly DAC, you don't really notice it I find. Used with the linear supply (fully built equivalent ones are available on eBay for forty quid and can't be 'much' worse than the UK made ones at £150 - £200 surely?), the sound seems to gain substance and 'scale.' Not something you'd immediately notice in a level-matched A-B test*, but longer term, this thing better supplied is superb. Maybe in the high-flying stereo's talked about here, it may not please, but if you come with no real expectations, it's amazing 
Off this topic and maybe a cause for another thread? Why is it that 0.2db level-matched comparator dems (using totally inert comparators) seem to make everything compared except speakers sound much the same, where free of this, we can perceive subtle differences in musical presentation? I was gently 'removed' from the Harbeth User Group a while back because I didn't toe the line and neither at my age did I tale kindly to the sanctimonious patronising attitude there. Not just me - and other trade people posting there have just drifted away, but others have been treated the same but didn't kick off as I did (turning 60 was a very stressful time for me and I refused to be talked down to the way I was there). maybe 'hands-on' usage of audio components bring the other senses into play to create a holistic 'pleasure picture' (or pain?) of the gear (dreadful wording, but the best I can do)...
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Post by MartinT on May 9, 2018 17:18:43 GMT
On your last point, this is why comparators and double-blind listening tests are useless. Firstly, it's not natural compared with listening for enjoyment and secondly you're preconditioned to expect change, rather than just taking the music in. Far better to let change creep up on you until it becomes obvious. A better (or worse) 'pleasure picture', in your words  |
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Post by Slinger on May 9, 2018 17:51:04 GMT
Just a quickie. A linear power supply will almost certainly do little, or nothing, to improve the performance of a Pi, unless you have the shittiest mains supply ever. What it MAY do, is improve the performance of whichever 'hat' you've got attached to it. From everything I've read, the jury is still out. Some people are absolutely certain there's an improvement, others are equally adamant that they've tried them and got no benefit whatsoever. I looked into using a LPS as an affordable upgrade and decided it wouldn't be one.
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Post by MartinT on May 9, 2018 18:41:27 GMT
A better power supply is an audible improvement but it need not be linear. I'm using a 5V-12V DC-DC buck (switching) converter and it sounds superb. Yes, I think the hat board benefits the most, and separating out the 5V feeds (as I've now done) sounds better still.
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Post by Clive on May 9, 2018 18:59:29 GMT
I believe LPS sounds way better with Pi mainly due to the noise the Pi is pumping everywhere. Linear seems to cope better or not add to it ie feeding noise into the mains.
I'm finding Sparky / USBridge out-does Pi / DigiOne possibly because USBridge is designed from the outset for twin power supplies for Sparky and reclocking USBridge.
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Post by dsjr on May 9, 2018 19:05:43 GMT
On your last point, this is why comparators and double-blind listening tests are useless. Firstly, it's not natural compared with listening for enjoyment and secondly you're preconditioned to expect change, rather than just taking the music in. Far better to let change creep up on you until it becomes obvious. A better (or worse) 'pleasure picture', in your words Then I'd avoid looking on the Harbeth user group then (hoping you do - eek!) If I had any hair on top left, I'd have pulled it out in frustration years ago, looking on there. I can't believe the early 1970's mentality expressed on certain things and I'm not articulate enough to be able to present an opinion from my side without being swatted aside like a fly..
Having said that, it's a good idea to get volume levels set as closely as possible without being anal about it. Funny thing is, I was comparing two amps at my old mate's gaff a few weeks ago and the *quieter* one won out, despite the louder one always supposedly winning... Even when volumes were better matched, the perceived differences were the same, one sounding a bit two-dimensional and the other more expansive...
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2018 21:43:04 GMT
I only looked at that group once. It appeared to be a bit "cult-like". It puzzled me how so many people with decidedly "unorthodox" (euphemism) views would find such a small place to congregate, Fair play to anyone trying to convert them. Not an enviable task.
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Post by zappytheviking on May 9, 2018 22:02:49 GMT
The people arguing for what should and should not be possible, counterproductive, they are missing out.
It is of paramount importance to experience the things that draw controversy, no way to get a clear decision just by discussing.
I for one feel stupid every time, 150£ on a powercord, gods Im an idiot.
Cant possibly do anything, going to prove it doesn't, hey presto, worth it.
Fuses the same, cant work, fine I will try it, well damn, one of the better upgrades at a tiny price.
Even happier with the PADIS(furutech) fuses just one day later, not subtle at all. Lots of air, dynamics improved, vocal focus, a very different sounding system compared to 2 days ago. Anyone with a SEG should spend 20£ on a PADIS fuse just to prove this fuse waffle wrong.
The "crazies" get more of the good stuff in the end. Fail your way forward is the saying, pretty much all of the "woo" at TAS has worked well.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2018 22:05:14 GMT
Your PADIS experiments have been very useful. Surely most people can spare £20 to find out, if fuses make a difference. You'd be lucky to get an LP for that.
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Post by MartinT on May 10, 2018 5:35:13 GMT
The people arguing for what should and should not be possible Indeed, there are so many who 'know' and will not be told otherwise. It's always best to keep an open mind. It isn't just fuses but mains quality, noise reduction, power supplies, cables and now a new one: 'Spotify isn't an audiophile source'. Umm, really? |
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Post by John on May 10, 2018 6:28:32 GMT
Anyone who wants to hear for themselves how Spotify sounds in the context of my system please message me and feel free to publish your results wherever you wish.
I am based in NW London
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Post by scotty38 on May 10, 2018 8:19:34 GMT
Even happier with the PADIS(furutech) fuses just one day later, not subtle at all. Lots of air, dynamics improved, vocal focus, a very different sounding system compared to 2 days ago. Anyone with a SEG should spend 20£ on a PADIS fuse just to prove this fuse waffle wrong. I'm not questioning what anyone is hearing but as (I think) I've said before rather the amount of change that is being described. The above is an example of what I mean and surely if this is possible (and I'm not saying it isn't) then why isn't every equipment and mains cable manufacturer adding a £20 fuse to their kit and releasing it as a MKII version? |
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Post by MartinT on May 10, 2018 10:36:52 GMT
As with all manufacturing, everything has to be oriented towards cost control. Even if the fuse is £10 in OEM quantities, that's a lot to add to the FOB cost before the supply chain takes their cut.
Secondly, not all vendors are as enlightened as Stan. Many will not hear or understand the reason for a quality fuse in the first place.
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Post by scotty38 on May 10, 2018 11:02:40 GMT
In a low cost piece of kit maybe, but we're talking about audiophile equipment here and even for those costing just hundreds, let alone thousands, the improvement would be worth it if it's along the lines of what we're seeing on this thread.
Let's assume we ignore anything costing less then £1000 do we really believe none of these manufacturers are aware that the improvement a £10 (bulk buy) fuse could make couldn't be marketed into a price rise in the hundreds?
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Post by John on May 10, 2018 11:10:46 GMT
PS Audio also select fuses interesting Paul views on the subject There is a YouTube video on it
I certainly will not be trying the SR red fuse myself but will try the £20 fuse at some point
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2018 11:11:20 GMT
Isn't this the same argument as adding spoilers, big bore exhausts or larger engines to a car? You can ultimately upgrade anything, but manufacturers don't chose to do it as standard, why is for them to explain (if they chose to).
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