March 1, 2017
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Audio Magic SHD Beeswax, Part 1
Apparently, Audio Magic's Premier Beeswax has now become the "SHD" Beeswax.
Whereas the Premier came in a silver-colored box, our new SHD model comes in a gold-colored one. Look, I have no idea how the "SHD" differs, if at all, from the "Premier." Supposedly, the SHD incorporates "a triple layer design with 2 new proprietary components to make the fuse even quieter with a better transfer of current and relocation of the Bees Wax inside of the fuse for better stability." At any rate, the U.S. price remains the same: a whopping $175 each. That goes for either 20mm or 32mm; fast-blow or slow-blow; and a wide range of amperage values.
The SHD Beeswax's sticker actually says "SHD." Since we do not have a second sample, we cannot verify if Audio Magic align/orient the sticker in one direction.
While one end cap is untouched, the other will have been drilled out, for the insertion of the beeswax materials. Audio Magic close the drill hole with solder.
Well, the manufacturer recommends 125 hours of burn-in. Audio Magic also claim that their fuses are not directional. With the Premier, we disproved that. In a wide variety of gear, the Premier did sound different, depending on which direction it faced. So owe shall see if the SHD is, like every other fuse, directional. Since the sample above is brand-new, we'll just leave it in the F2 position of the Simaudio 820S [a Premier Beeswax occupies the 820S' F1 slot], which is permanently powered-up.
