An outlet is only a connection point. It does not change the sound of anything, just as long as it does its job right. By doing its job right, I'm speaking of it making the connection tight and safely, and carrying the current it's designed to. As long as it does its job this way, there should not be any change in sound. The 60 cycle AC power coming from your outlet is converted to DC, in your component. If any of the AC is getting through the equipment's power supply, something is wrong. If the outlet makes a bad connection, then it could introduce noise into the system. A good grade of commercial, or a hospital grade should do this just fine. A good connection should not get hot, or make noise. A hot one is a bad sign. The better outlets can handle more usage, without wearing as quick as the budget ones, that come standard in a lot of homes. There are a ton of connections that the AC power must pass through just from the transformer, to your home. Then, there are countless connections in the power grid. Not only outlets, power cords just carry the power needed to your gear also, putting these in a similar category. Shielded power cords can help stop RF leakage, that can get airborne. They've been using this shielding on some computer cords, before upgraded audio power cords existed. Also, who knows how many noise generating factories, other facilities, and homes, are tied to your AC power, through the US Power Grid? There is no proof, that I have seen, of any audio grade outlet doing a better job of this transfer of power, in a home audio system, or any other. Just buy a good quality commercial, or hospital grade outlet. That should do the job just fine. |
Rja, these are facts stated about outlets, not just beliefs. As I stated, I never have seen anything, that supports an outlet having any sound characteristic. Show me proof, if you believe otherwise. This comes from engineers, and other knowledgeable people, that help make audio reproduction as we know it happen. Also other electronic based products, that even helps make our world better, and life easier. Same electronics behind that too. Based on facts. Get to know some engineers. Study some electronics, and learn how these things work. If you did, it may help you understand some statements others make. Then when you've built amps, power supplies, even just for an amateur hobby, you'll find out how different parts in them, the voltage supplying them, can influence their different sound. Or just modify some. That helps make some statements made, more than just what we believe. It helps bring the facts out. |
10-22-12: Rja 10-22-12: Rja [quote]State your position and then vamoose muchacho!Rja, you sound like a bitter man. Your the one that put the rude, belittling comments. It seems you have a disrespect for anyone, that may have more knowledge on a subject, than you do. I don't know why people react like you. Maybe they scare you. Some of us like to help others by saving them money on an unproven product, that has no scientific backup. Again, I would like to see measured proof. The people that make amps, and other audio products, get their gear checked out in so many different ways, by reviewers, that try to find flaws with their products, it's almost unreal. Not so, with outlets. I guess they all test the same, when hooked to an audio system. All of our audio gear is made by highly educated people that are Electrical Engineers, or have a high enough knowledge about scientific facts in electronics, to build it. Unlike you, Rja, I have respect for these people. Also, other highly educated people, in other subjects, and professions. Maybe you Rja, don't like these highly educated people, but we wouldn't have our systems, or the internet without them. No electric, and the list is endless. It is definitively apparent you are not capable of designing and engineering these things. Rja, my highly educated Medical Doctor tells me things, that I'm not knowledgeable about, but unlike you, I respect him. I also follow what he says. I don't him an idiot. Maybe part of your problem is, you called your Medical Doctor an idiot too. Also, you don't practice what you preach. I've read some of your answers, and prior threads. I never told anyone they can't buy a so-called audio grade outlet. So, Rja, buy any outlet you choose, and enjoy your music. I'm not your boss. For anyone other than Rja, save your money on these high priced audio grade outlets, and upgrade something else in your system that can be heard, and measured. You'll be just as happy with the under ten dollar outlet, in my opinion(this is not meant to be belittling). Then, maybe you'll have extra money to buy something else for sale right here on Audiogon! |
This is a correction for my prior post about Hubbell outlets. I believe mine are the Hubbell HBL5362. Those that are listed as just Hubbell 5362, appear to be different. The "HBL" letters seem to be the correct ones. The 5362 without the "HBL" letters before the number must be a new series, that appear to be thinner, no brass parts, and may have not have the build quality of the HBL5362 line. Hubbell may have gone through changes, or has a another line I'm not familiar with. The letter "i" after it, stands for the ivory color. The correct one is "Hubbell HBL5362." Maybe someone else has info for this new style, without the brass. Sorry for this error. |
RichardStacy, I'm not sure if your post is meant for me, but I thought you were in your sixties now. I'm not trying to make you sound older, but you do post a lot, at times. Maybe there are two Richard Stacys on Audiogon? Please don't take offence about the age part. I think one of my friends bought some cables off of you. I believe he was pleased with them. I think you and him spoke about retiring, that's why I mentioned it. I sure could be in error, and have the wrong person in mind. Anyways, I started using better interconnects possibly before my teen years. A lot of people called them patch cords back then. They had a lot of poor ones that caused noticeable loss, and deterioration in the highs. So, I'm not one of those people that don't believe in good interconnects. I do have dedicated power lines. Years back, my one home had an over 70 foot run to the outlet. The lamps dimmed with heavy bass passages, and there was noticeable distortion due to the power sag I believe. So dedicated runs can help, in my opinion. I have done a lot of experimenting with highly qualified Electrical Engineering friends, and talking about that would be too long for now. I'm saying this for those who think my friends, and I haven't tried all kinds of products, with no knowledge before commenting. I also have Hubbell outlets. I've mentioned it in past threads. I have the 5362 series, and the 8300 series. I think I paid well under $10 for mine. The outlet on my refrigerator got almost hot, even though it was a 20 amp outlet. I put one of these on it, and it stays cool. That tells something itself, meaning it may have been generating noise from the poor connection. Possibly unsafe too. These are good outlets, and do grip the plug tight. I think you can find them for under $10 online at some places yet. I don't know about these sellers, but I think they are the correct ones. You could check your local area, it may vary a lot it appears. I don't recommend the under $3 ones either. There still are a lot of those around. They may not grip tight, wear fast, and are made cheaply in my opinion. |
