Since the Fuse For DAC thread has been locked, I just wanted to second what Charles said about cable design and plating materials, which mirrors my experience.
"It is not one component of the cable design that makes or breaks it. The entire design and assembly of such is the key.
Plating in general has a character all to its own. IME gold is warm, copper neutral, silver lean, rhodium bright. Now combining the characteristics of wire, dielectric and connectors makes a good marriage."
And share my latest synergy experience which is that, out of curiosity, I added a gold Hi-Fi Tuning fuse to my amp's mains while retaining the SR Reds on the four tubes and B+ rail. The result was a slight softening that ameliorated the slight forwardness and very slight hardness of the all SR configuration to a "perfect" blend of warmth, dynamics and resolution.
I am a very happy camper - for today, of course.
