AC Outlets

Interesting thread.

I've done some hands/ears on research here with my system and after several rounds I have settled on Oyaide R-1 outlets which clearly sound best with my gear. The outlets I have tried off the top of my head: Cheapo Lowes, PassSeymour Hospital Grade, Porter Port, Wattgate 381, Furutech GTX-D, MIT Super 20 (more of a conditioner since it contains filters).

They all sound very different so I think it would take some trials to determine which you prefer. I also think it's important to note the differences are not subtle. I would never have imagined this to be the case without putting in the work to find out for myself.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer

Interesting story that feels relevant to this discussion...

I met one of my closest friends here on Audiogon a few years back, Jim. A side note, this is one of the reasons the new format troubles me. It's not possible to develop relationships like the one I have with Jim here. Really too bad. Anyway, Jim is one of the smartest guys I've met in my life. I'm 50 years old and have been around many pretty smart guys in technical/medical fields so it's saying a lot. He's an electrical engineer, currently pretty high up in military/defense research, construction and supply. he designs very sophisticated power supplies etc and also spent many years in the audio industry. When I met Jim he swore to me that cables and power devices were nonsense/snake oil. Over time he began to trust my ears and was open minded enough to take my suggestions to try some. Since then he has replaced all of his cables with pretty costly MIT stuff, designed and built elaborate power cables and rewired his entire electrical supply chain. He also has one of the outlets I mentioned in my previous posts, Furutech, borrowed from me to audition. Despite all of his training pointing otherwise, he has been openminded and humble enough to understand that there is wisdom beyond what he has been taught and because of that his system is significantly better for it. I have a great deal of respect for guys like him. On the other hand, guys that think they have all the answers because they can't get from A to B in their skull....well they are going to stay stuck. That is a pretty grandiose position to take, actually. The reality is that outlets sound different. It's not a theory, belief or feeling...it's a fact. I'm sure there is some technical reason why but I don't know it nor do I care. If your the kind of dude that needs to know then rather then mislead people with your limited knowledge/experience and research this further until you have all the facts. I don't want this to come off as disrespectful, please do not take it that way. I know sometimes it's hard to be direct on a forum without sounding like a d..k :)

Well first I also applaud Peter for his willingness to see if his beliefs actually hold true in application. I respect that a great deal (not that anyone cares!).

As has been mentioned, in my experience many of the cheapos, even to the plain hospital grade, sound very similar and without some pretty long exposure to familiar music may be harder to discern than the more specialized devices. maybe this is due to difference coatings (Rhodium etc)?

Another factor I think is important here is you may want to consider using the same connectors throughout. If not you then run the risk of hearing the connectors rather than the outlets as they also sound different. Even within brands they sound different and use different platings. Rhodium plugs on Rhodium outlets are going to sound different than Brass on Brass etc.

Many thanks for your time, efforts and financial investment. Look forward to following the process.