Magnepan fuse bypass

[Emil]

Feeling a bit brave today

Anyone have an opinion? know of or have done this surgery?

[richidoo]

Bypassing a fuse improves the sound by doing only one thing: it lowers the impedance of the AC mains. It should make a noticeable sonic improvement because current flows easier. But you have to consider the cost if you should ever need that fuse. Make sure you understand what you risk when you take out the fuse protection. If you blow a transformer that's one thing, but if you blow holes in the ribbon that's another thing. I have blown enough fuses to know that they do work as intended.

There are other ways to lower AC impedance while keeping the fuse protection. You can lower the AC impedance even more than the bypass while still keeping your fuse. Start with a conditioning transformer like Torus or Equitech. The magnetic core of a transformer is a potential reservoir of current stored as magnetic flux. The reserve lowers impedance drastically, like a bank of caps. There are other benefits to power quality also. It will lower impedance at the outlet as if you were connected to the utility's generator. Then try a low resistance silver fuse from HiFi Tuning.  They are expensive, but reviews say they do work well. Sounds like you never blow fuses or else you wouldn't want to bypass, so you should never need to replace it. Then, use some contact enhancer on the fuse contacts and wall plug contacts to make those temporary high resistance connections seem just like a soldered joint. Then I bet you will get even better improvement than bypass without losing the safety valve.

http://thecableco.com/prodListing.php?cat=53&man=101
http://www.vhaudio.com/hifi-tuning.html
http://www.stereophile.com/powerlineaccessories/907fuse/
http://www.hifi-tuning.com/index_eng.html
http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/silclear.php

[Emil]

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I am aware of the risks and yes i have never blown a fuse....yet

regarding a conditioning transformer, Im use a Powervar ( i believe it would be considered one ) I have all my electronics plugged into it.

I think I'll give the bypass a try.

Maybe next would be replacing those cheesy binding posts

[richidoo]

Some of those Powervars do have transformer.

Have fun!  Please let us know how it works.
Rich

[Rob S.]

Emil-
      Which maggies do you have?   I have never blown a fuse, and never got around to doing a fuse bypass,   guess if the urge gets me I could try it with one of my 2pr sitting in our guest room.

Please post your impressions.

Rob S.

[BobM]

you know what always happens as soon as you DO bypass it ...

[Emil]

you know what always happens as soon as you DO bypass it ...

NOW you tell me, Bob

The fireman are just about done

[Emil]

Rob
I have a pair of 1.6s

Well, I did do the bypass and must say Im shocked. A very noticeable increase in claity and dynamics. Took all of 10 minutes.

While inside there, I did look at the cheesy, cheap binding posts.
Thinking about replacing them but with what?
Who makes quality posts? Cost? Suggestions? Do they really make a worthwhile difference?

[Rob S.]

Emil,
     I unplugged the push pin wires to the 4 tabs under the sock, and plugged in my replacement wiring to my upgraded crossover.   Got too lazy to build a box and officially solder in everything.  I had the wires twisted into the cap leads and also onto the inductors.  From there I simply "alligator clipped" the bare speaker wire to the crossover wire ends.   Was not pretty, nor sturdy.   Oh, and I laid the crossover on some bubble rap on a flat board behind the speaker.  Much better sound.
 
I have the MG.6's, which is basically an older MG12.   I have a pair of MGIIIa's that I did not modify, and could not really get to shine like I could with the .6's.   Don't know why, maybe I like the QR over the true ribbon.

Rob

[Emil]

Hey Rob
You did the crossover upgrade but was apprehensive about doing the fuse bypass?

That is beyond my ability.

[richidoo]

Well, I did do the bypass and must say Im shocked. A very noticeable increase in claity and dynamics. Took all of 10 minutes.

See now don't you wish you took my advice and spent $1400 on this instead of just 6 inches of wire?
 

[Rob S.]

Emil,   OOooops,   the .6's   fuses were bypassed.   I didn't touch the IIIa's.

Feel free to call me if you want a pep talk on the crossover work, it wasn't hard- but then again I haven't really finished the job- just got it working.   The time is in the box, mounting stuff, some soldering.  following a road map and laying out the parts just like they were, twisting some wire together is easy....

Rob S.

[lonewolfny42]

Emil.....I thought the 1.6's were for sale...yes....no ?

[Emil]

Emil.....I thought the 1.6's were for sale...yes....no ?

Not anymore. I guess I was just feeling bored
I put an ad out just to see if anyone would bite.

I've learned that whenever your feeling the need to make a change in your system, dont listen to it for about a week. After that buy new some new music, drop in the disc, sit back and listen and you'll find that desire will pass.

[lonewolfny42]

Emil.....I thought the 1.6's were for sale...yes....no ?

Not anymore. I guess I was just feeling bored
I put an ad out just to see if anyone would bite.

I've learned that whenever your feeling the need to make a change in your system, dont listen to it for about a week. After that buy new some new music, drop in the disc, sit back and listen and you'll find that desire will pass.

Good....those Maggie's do sound good in your room Emil.....I didn't see a need to change them.

Maybe....try some new drugs...

(Did you read about the $2.3 billion aggregate settlement against Pfizer....wow !!)