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Is it possible a 20 amp outlet can make a big difference in SQ?

This is a somewhat rhetorical question, but I'm interested if anyone has a similar experience, or can explain why...

I have one duplex outlet to power everything. I assumed it was 15 amp so a few months ago I replaced the outlet with a hospital grade 15 amp outlet. (fwiw there are 4 wires, 2 white 2 black). My tube amp is plugged directly into the wall.

On Friday the air-con went out so I had a reason to check the fuse box - and realized that the circuit powering my AV is 20 amp.

So I replaced the outlet with the same brand and grade but 20 amp. 

I was surprised that there was a significant change in SQ - I'd say dynamics are faster, more detailed, more powerful. 

If I'd spent $500 or more I'd factor in the mental bias but I spent $20 and expected nothing.

Am I imagining this?

Any thoughts? 

macg19

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,805 posts
 

Back wires are good, back stabbing is bad.

Back wires use two plates held together by a screw. Back stabbing use spring loaded prongs pushed through the plastic case and IMHO should not ever be used.

Back wires are really good for daisy chained connections. They avoid the little clippable jumper between screws.


I put pictures up on a blog post on a related subject here:

 

https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2022/01/audiophile-ac-outlets-for-frugal.html

erik_squires
15,805 posts
 

Found a video showing what I meant about 15 and 20A outlets sometimes being identical:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jUa_HbUeoE

erik_squires
15,805 posts
 

OP:

Also depends on the original installation and age. If you cleaned the terminals with fine grit sand paper before re-installation and tightened everything properly it is possible the better sound comes from elbow-grease rather than hardware.

By the way, I found the Leviton 90 degree, hospital grade plugs to be really tight, and the 90 degree feature super convenient for saving space around the sockets:

 

https://amzn.to/3XUV7e6

My outlets are in the corner behind my bass traps so this type of plug saved me several inches of floor space.

 

Best,

Erik "cryo"

erik_squires
15,805 posts
 

I doubt changing the amp rating of the outlet, but keeping all other things the same (brand, line,, etc) would matter by itself.

There’s two things I immediately think about:

  • All 15A outlets in the US are rated to be on 20A circuits. To do that they have to have the internal conductors as thick as a 20A socket.
  • Some manufacturers improve economy of scale by making the 15A and 20A outlets identical behind the faceplate. Same conductors, wipers and plastics.

If you aren’t going to re-use that 15A outlet may be fun to take a hand grinder/multitool (i.e. Dremel) to the face and remove it to see if it doesn’t have the T shaped wipers of the 20A units.

The reason for the multi-rating is areas like a kitchen, where you may have multiple appliances going. They may each be under 15A, but by using a 20A circuit you can minimize breaker tripping.

The 20A plugs are usually reserved for commercial settings and 1-2 outlet circuits where the electrician wants to indicate "this is where you can plug in the hotel vacuum. "

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