brass outlet covers...anyone try them? Sound good

I don't doubt there are differences in sound with various materials covering the outlet. The cover plate can be a drum head for vibration, transmitting into the AC connection.

So, depending on how close your speakers are, room construction, type of AC outlet and overall system performance it could make a nice improvement in sound when you swap out the cover.

I've done a number of comparisons and found (magnetic) steel to be the worst and the stock hard plastic ones (found in most homes), acceptable.

However, the soft Nylon covers labeled "unbreakable," the ones that are easily twisted with your fingers, performed best in my system.

Regardless, all these tweaks are CHEAP, generally .69 cents to a few bucks, so your next trip to Home Depot consider buying few to try in your own system. Worst case, you might be inspired to clean your AC plugs male connectors with Caig Gold and replace those old scratched up outlet covers.

Before anyone criticizes wall plates and those that wish to experiment, ask yourself if you've ever bought anything for your home or car because it looked nice and only cost a couple of bucks.

This is supposed to be a fun hobby. No harm in experimenting and showing pride in your music making machine.

Audiofell, you're not forced to spend the .69 cents, I would not worry about it if it offends you. I still think it's possible to hear the drum effect of an outlet cover and in any case, it's a harmless experiment that forces the user to pay attention to their AC connection.

I think there should also be discussions about cleaning RCA connectors, AC blade connectors and speaker spades (or banana) too. Cleaning all of these are audible and always an improvement.

Many times I've gone through my system, doing nothing more than "housekeeping" cleaning of connectors and gotten significant improvement.

In fact, I think sometimes audiophiles doing equipment testing, plugging and unplugging tubes, cables or AC connections the new piece of equipment gets a slight advantage because that connection is improved in the process.

As Neil Young says "Rust Never Sleeps," (neither does oxidation :^).

Regardless of the amount of area of the cover, it constitutes a direct vibration pathway to the electrical connection between the male and female AC circuit.

In fact, the AC connection would be better if it were a crimped "gas tight" fit or soldered to eliminate the friction fit, but then it would be a pain to connect and disconnect.

Have none of you never experienced the benefit of reducing the connection strain on a RCA plug, damped a connection (or chassis) with a damper or noticed a tighter AC connection improved bass and reduced distortion?

The idea is the same but in miniature. I'm not saying the outlet cover is a big deal, I did not begin this thread nor is it a subject I would have chosen for a thread topic.

HOWEVER, since it's now on the table because Freemand opened that can of worms, I see no harm in encouraging Audiogon members to experiment with the cheapest of cheap tweaks and consider cleaning up their connections at the same time.

If this was a $100.00 deal I would be the first to cry foul, but it's not and there are no motives on behalf of the Freemand to make money or defraud anyone. It's a harmless test that could result in an improvement in sound. If you don't believe in the cover, at least clean the connections, I think you will be surprised at the change and that is FREE.

Hopefully "free" is enough cheaper than .69 cents to not garner criticism as a subject for tweaking.

How about cleaning connections as I suggested? Can't hear that either?

Caig pro gold works well and not expensive, I use it on interconnects, speaker terminals and even tube pins.

I've had good luck with the Walker silver paste, but use it very sparingly. I find it works well on fuse holders where additional contact is beneficial and there is little chance of the silver creating a short. So far I've been hesitant to put the silver on output tube pins of my VTL 750 amps.

For cleaning without adding any treatment, ordinary alcohol works very well. Just be careful to avoid splashing it around stereo equipment that's powered up. A friend of mine spilled a very small amount of alcohol into the chassis vents of an Aesthetix Io and it ignited into full flame. I don't know what the repair cost was but it was not a pretty situation.

Anyway, Caig is safe and I don't know anyone who thinks it's bad for connections or sound.