Where is their information about this receptacle? I looked at the web site and did not find anything about it, only the power cords.
Thanks,
Audioquest4life
Thanks,
Audioquest4life
Power Receptacles - Review and Comparison
Once I started comparing power cords on the various equipment in my system, it was undeniable that the power receptacle has a tremendous influence on the resulting sound from each power cord. Switching between the Porterhouse Audio Power Port, Oyaide SWO-XXX, Oyaide R1 with the GPC-Z cover, and Synergistic Research Teslaplex consistently produced significantly different results with each power cord I auditioned. I am amazed at how much each receptacle influences the performance of a given cord and, more importantly, the sound of my system as a whole.
Over a period of months, I compared each of these receptacles, using several different power cords on each of my components, beginning with my Ayre CX-7e CDP and K-1xe preamp. I eventually concluded that I preferred the Synergistic Research Tesla T2 power cords with the Teslaplex receptacle on my front end equipment.
So now for the amp. First, I compared the Oyaide SWO-XXX to the Porterhouse Audio Power Port on my Krell FPB-600c with the SR Tesla T3 UHC power cord. The SWO-XXX provided a little more apparent detail, but I found the Power Port to be much more musical and it provided what I feel to be more realistic soundstage ambience and more natural upper-frequency purity.
Next up was the Oyaide R1. While I can see why so many folks are impressed with the R1, it seems to impart the same sonic signature on every piece I try it with. It has a very refined sound, with impressive detail, good tonal balance, and lovely harmonic bloom; but, in my system, it has much less air than the Teslaplex or the Porter Port and the soundstage is not as expansive. Instruments seem to move forward in the soundstage and vocals have a much more ‘hi-fi’ quality about them. I never get the ‘live sound’ magic from the R1 like I do with the Teslaplex or the Porter Port.
Many audiophiles keep a special component, interconnect, or power cord over the years whose sound they know to be truthful and use it to evaluate new equipment in their systems. The Porter Port is such a product. It is my opinion that it is the most neutral of this entire group and should be the standard by which to baseline power cords and receptacles. This is indeed impressive considering the $36 selling price of the Porterhouse Audio Porter Port.
The Synergistic Research Teslaplex receptacle is somewhat of a paradox to me. When comparing its appearance to the Oyaides, it seems very unlikely that this hot-rodded Leviton will be able to make a mark against those exotically-plated Japanese beauties. Looks are deceiving! This receptacle is revelatory in its ability to generate a seemingly unbounded soundscape that is so transparent it actually seems to breathe. Anyone who has tried the SR Tesla power cords knows what I mean by this. The ‘thereness’ of vocals and percussion is just uncanny. I suspect much of this is a result of Ted Denney’s Quantum Tunneling treatment. If you are unfamiliar with this process, visit the Synergistic Research website for a recorded demonstration. One thing I know for sure is that it enhances his products in a most remarkable way.
The Teslaplex may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Its sound is so transparent and delivers such spectacular clarity that I suspect that many audiophiles will find it to be overwhelmingly different from what they have become accustomed to. Perhaps it is, but if the reproduction of air and limitless soundstaging are your audio drug of choice and your system is up to it, I think you will find this receptacle to be quite amazing. Highly recommended!
Over a period of months, I compared each of these receptacles, using several different power cords on each of my components, beginning with my Ayre CX-7e CDP and K-1xe preamp. I eventually concluded that I preferred the Synergistic Research Tesla T2 power cords with the Teslaplex receptacle on my front end equipment.
So now for the amp. First, I compared the Oyaide SWO-XXX to the Porterhouse Audio Power Port on my Krell FPB-600c with the SR Tesla T3 UHC power cord. The SWO-XXX provided a little more apparent detail, but I found the Power Port to be much more musical and it provided what I feel to be more realistic soundstage ambience and more natural upper-frequency purity.
Next up was the Oyaide R1. While I can see why so many folks are impressed with the R1, it seems to impart the same sonic signature on every piece I try it with. It has a very refined sound, with impressive detail, good tonal balance, and lovely harmonic bloom; but, in my system, it has much less air than the Teslaplex or the Porter Port and the soundstage is not as expansive. Instruments seem to move forward in the soundstage and vocals have a much more ‘hi-fi’ quality about them. I never get the ‘live sound’ magic from the R1 like I do with the Teslaplex or the Porter Port.
Many audiophiles keep a special component, interconnect, or power cord over the years whose sound they know to be truthful and use it to evaluate new equipment in their systems. The Porter Port is such a product. It is my opinion that it is the most neutral of this entire group and should be the standard by which to baseline power cords and receptacles. This is indeed impressive considering the $36 selling price of the Porterhouse Audio Porter Port.
The Synergistic Research Teslaplex receptacle is somewhat of a paradox to me. When comparing its appearance to the Oyaides, it seems very unlikely that this hot-rodded Leviton will be able to make a mark against those exotically-plated Japanese beauties. Looks are deceiving! This receptacle is revelatory in its ability to generate a seemingly unbounded soundscape that is so transparent it actually seems to breathe. Anyone who has tried the SR Tesla power cords knows what I mean by this. The ‘thereness’ of vocals and percussion is just uncanny. I suspect much of this is a result of Ted Denney’s Quantum Tunneling treatment. If you are unfamiliar with this process, visit the Synergistic Research website for a recorded demonstration. One thing I know for sure is that it enhances his products in a most remarkable way.
The Teslaplex may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Its sound is so transparent and delivers such spectacular clarity that I suspect that many audiophiles will find it to be overwhelmingly different from what they have become accustomed to. Perhaps it is, but if the reproduction of air and limitless soundstaging are your audio drug of choice and your system is up to it, I think you will find this receptacle to be quite amazing. Highly recommended!
61 responses Add your response
Dlcockrum, is this the Synergistic Research Tesla plex you are referring to in your review? From the picture it appears to me to be just a spec grade Leviton 20 amp duplex receptacle with a steel supporting back strap. In your review you did not mention the base line for your tests of each receptacle. Your audio equipment? Was the receptacles used to power all the equipment, or just some? Pre break-in time? Connected to what type of branch circuit wiring? Did you try other manufactures power cords with each receptacle? Receptacle mounted to a wall rough-in box installation? Rough-in box, plastic or ferrous metal? Cover plate used? . |
Yep, that's the one https://www.thecableco.com/product.php?id=6224. As for Jea48's questions: Q: From the picture it appears to me to be just a spec grade Leviton 20 amp duplex receptacle with a steel supporting back strap. A: According to Ted Denney, these are special-order Leviton receptacles. They do have a steel back strap. I know the concerns about steel, but it is what it is. My first thought after seeing one was that a better base receptacle would sound better, but Ted assures me that this one was selected because it delivers the voicing he wants. Q: In your review you did not mention the base line for your tests of each receptacle. A: The baseline started out to be a Hubbell CR5352IG (isolated ground) receptacle. Later, I used the Porter Port as the baseline as I felt it to be the most neutral. Q: Your audio equipment? A: Ayre CX-7e CDP, VPI TNT 2.5 with JMW12 arm and Grado Statement "The Reference" cartridge, VPI SDS, Ayre K-1xe preamp with phono, Krell FPB-600c stereo amplifier, Thiel CS5i loudspeakers, 1.5M Transparent Reference Phono interconnect from TT to preamp, 1.5M Audioquest Niagara w/72v dbs XLR interconnect from CDP to preamp, 5M Transparent Audio Reference XL XLR interconnects between preamp and amp, 8 ft Straightwire Crescendo speaker cable. I would also add that I have Furman IT-Reference 20i and a Chang Lightspeed CLS6400ISO power conditioners, but neither of these were used in the evaluation, except to power the SR min-couplers that are part of the SR active shielding network for the Tesla power cords. Q: Was the receptacles used to power all the equipment, or just some? A: All receptacles mentioned in the article were tried on the CDP, preamp, and amp. Q:Pre break-in time? A: Per others' recommendations, the Oyaides were given 200 hours powering my HT equipment before critical listening. The Porter Port and Tesla Plex were given hundreds of hours in place on my main equipment during the evaluation (they both sounded good from the beginning and improved very slightly as hours increased to a point). I noticed no discernable change in the sound of each receptacle during the last half of the evaluation. Q: Connected to what type of branch circuit wiring? A: I have two 30 amp 10/2 Romex lines dedicated to my amp and two 20 amp 12/2 Romex lines dedicated to my front end equipment. Q: Did you try other manufactures power cords with each receptacle? A: Yes - In addition to the SR Tesla T2 and T3 UHC power cords, the Tel Wire, the VH Audio Airsine, TG Audio SLVR, Raymond 1512, Tara Labs RSC Master, and the stock Krell power cord were used. The Tel Wire is an excellent cord and works very well with all of the receptacles auditioned, especially the R1. There was a constraint because my Krell has a 20 amp IEC receptacle and the rest of my equipment uses a 15 amp IEC. The SR T3 UHC, the Airsine, and the stock Krell power cord have 20 amp IEC connectors, so these were only used on the amp with each of the receptacles. Q: Receptacle mounted to a wall rough-in box installation? A: The boxes are simply mounted into the drywall and receptacles were mounted using standard hardware, excepting the Oyaide/WPC-Z which used the provided hardware. Q: Rough-in box, plastic or ferrous metal? A: All rough-in boxes are plastic. Q: Cover plate used? A: I used the Oyaide WPC-Z carbon fiber/billet aluminum faceplate with the R1 and the SWO-XXX. The Porter Port and Teslaplex used standard HD metal faceplates. |
Dlcockrum, Thank you for your detailed response to my post. The Porter Port and Teslaplex used standard HD metal faceplates.Ferrous metal? If you would please check with a magnet and post back... If the cover plate is ferrous the Hubbell HBL8300H will sound better with a non ferrous cover plate. Try a nylon P&S or Leviton nylon plate. |
Dave -- My compliments on a well written review, and on the very extensive effort you obviously put into all of this. However, as a technically-oriented person who as you'll recall is something of an audio skeptic, albeit one who considers himself to be open-minded, there are some questions I would like to raise. I don't doubt that your descriptions of what you heard were accurate. What I wonder is if your methodology adequately eliminated extraneous variables, and if what seemed to be differences attributable to the receptacles may have actually been due to something else. Were the differences you perceived typically immediately recognizable, on the first recording you listened to after switching receptacles, or did they only become apparent after listening sessions that extended over weeks or months? If the former, did you switch back to the previous receptacle to confirm your perceptions? If the latter, the same question applies, and also how do you know that the differences were not due to things like ongoing aging or burn-in of system components, seasonally-related temperature changes in the room affecting component performance, changes (also possibly seasonally-related) in line voltage, or in noise levels on the ac line, subtle wear in your record grooves due to repeated playings, etc.? Again, I'm not necessarily disagreeing with your findings, just raising what I think are questions that need to be addressed before your conclusions are fully persuasive. Regards, -- Al |
Dlcockrum, Thank you taking the time to share with us the results of your extensive evaluations. This is most interesting, and I find your results consistent with my much less rigorous testing. While I can't speak directly to the Porter Ports, I've settled on and use the Jena Labs and Walker Audio outlets (which are similar) and have found them to be the most neutral and the most musically natural of all the various outlets I've heard. Given the similar provenance, I expect the Porter Ports to sound very much like what I'm hearing here. Regards, |
Dear Al, Here is my best attempt at addressing your questions/concerns: Q: Were the differences you perceived typically immediately recognizable, on the first recording you listened to after switching receptacles, or did they only become apparent after listening sessions that extended over weeks or months? A: The difference in the sound when switching between any of the receptacles was immediately recognizable. The purpose of having an extended listening period was simply to ensure that my perceptions of each product would remain consistent over time. Q: If the former, did you switch back to the previous receptacle to confirm your perceptions? A: I switched back and forth numerous times in each comparison, sometimes several times within the same listening session and sometimes after listening to one receptacle for an extended time (days) before switching to another. It is not hard or time consuming for me because I have two 30 amp dedicated lines for my amp and two 20 amp dedicated lines for my front end. Thus, I could have any two receptacles installed and powered up simultaneously for each position. The switching process between any two receptacles only took about 90 seconds, most of which was the 'boot up' time of the equipment after powering down. Q: If the latter, the same question applies, and also how do you know that the differences were not due to things like ongoing aging or burn-in of system components, seasonally-related temperature changes in the room affecting component performance, changes (also possibly seasonally-related) in line voltage, or in noise levels on the ac line, subtle wear in your record grooves due to repeated playings, etc.? A: Again, the differences in the my system's sound with the change of receptacles were immediately discernable. This is true when using both LPs and CDs (I am not aware of any wear factor on CD). This time of year (October - November) in my part of Texas yields very consistent temperatures. My Krell runs pure Class A at all times and ensures that my listening room temperature stays about the same (HOT!). I have dedicated lines and the time of the listening sessions varied enough that, over iterative comparisons, I am certain that AC quality was not a factor in my observations. Al, it seems that you might think that my perceptions were largely psychosomatic. I can assure you this is not the case. This is an excerpt from a message I sent a friend of mine during the comparison: "Over the years, whenever I was trying out interconnects, speaker cables, digital cables on various CD front-ends, etc, I would always ask my wife to listen while I swapped back and forth. She nailed it right away every time. She can hear like on owl and knows what good sound is. It would always take me a lot longer to figure it out, but after a while, I always concluded that she got it right. Every time." "Well, last night I asked her to listen to my system while I started with the SR Teslaplex receptacle and then switched to the Oyaide R1. She was totally unaware of what changes were being made as I moved the Tesla power cords to my CDP and preamp from one receptacle to the other. After listening to the whole 8+ minutes of track 11 of the Shirley Horn CD, "You Won't Forget Me", with the Teslaplex, it only took her about 30 seconds with the R1 to say "That sounds totally different. This one (the R1) makes her voice sound 'recorded' and the instruments are much more forward. On the other one (the SR), her voice sounded much more natural and the instruments were much farther back". 'Nuff said. The good news is that you need only risk $36 plus shipping to hear the Power Port for yourself. Why not give it a try? I would sincerely appreciate hearing your opinion after installing any one of these receptacles compared to the one you currently use. Best of Luck, Dave |
Sns, It would indeed take some effort to cover all the combinations and permutations of each power cord with each receptacle. I'll make you a deal though: You tell me how you built those hug honkin' DIY tubes traps in your listening room and I'll try to hit the high points of the power cable/receptacle combos for you ;o) |
Dave -- Thank you for your comprehensive and persuasive answers, which fully answer my questions. Again, I was not questioning your characterizations and assessments of what you were hearing, which I think is what you were referring to when you used the word "psychosomatic." I was only questioning whether the methodology adequately controlled other conceivable variables, so that what you heard was correctly attributed to the receptacles. The dust hasn't yet settled here on numerous major changes, upgrades, and repairs that my system has undergone recently, and unfortunately my house is older and has two-prong outlets(!), but I hope to explore the whole area of power cords, receptacles, and possible house wiring upgrades in the not too distant future. Best, -- Al |
Dave, I only mentioned power cords, I neglected to mention their connectors. Different combinations of metalurgy result in different sonics. I've experimented quite a bit here as well, way to much to go into here. If you're interested, check out Dusty (I believe that's his handle) threads at audioasylum.com. He goes into this sort of thing in depth, my findings are very similar. People shouldn't underestimate the sonic differences between outlets and connectors in a high resolution system! As for my present choices, and in my system. I'm liking a combo of Porter Ports and R1 receptacles, along with Wattgate connectors. I also find Oyaides in general to have a bit more forward sound, Anyway, a little of this, and a little of that, voila! If you want the recipe for the DIY tube traps, email me. I made them quite a while ago, don't recall the exact recipe at the moment. |
In thinking about the DIY tube traps. I still recall the day I first put them in my system, one of those red letter days you never forget about. It was amazing how much information I had been losing from excessive bass resonance due to room interactions. I'm now to the point where I hear can't bear to hear this sort of resonant bass, it hides so much of the rest of the frequency spectrum. Sounds like low resolution to me, and this with systems that can cost hundreds of thousands. Room treatments are absolutely necessary for most of our systems and rooms! |
Hi Sns, I have read all of Duster's excellent posts on the combination of plugs and power receptables (and IEC receptacles) and it is consistent with my experience as well. The compatibility (or lack thereof) of the various metallurgies indeed makes a difference. That's why the Tel Wire works so well with the R1 - the Oyaide 004 plug's blades and the internal metal parts of the R1 are both Beryllium Copper base metal, plated with platinum, and then finished with palladium plating. I am glad that you have found a combination of receptacles that works well for you. I think the Porter Port makes a very good partner with any of the other receptacles and is also excellent when used alone. I will send you my email Re: the bass traps. Best, Dave |
Dlcockrum, Thank you for the review. Last night I replaced my Oyaide R1 with the Teslaplex outlet. I agree with all your comments. In my system, right out of the box, the Teslaplex improved my soundstage, clarity and transparency over the R1 by a large margin. Also, I now understand what you meant by your comment that the R1 sounds ‘hi-fi’. I'm definitely high on the Teslaplex's reproduction of air and limitless soundstaging. WOW! |
I commented 9-24 (over on the Tesla cable thread) about installing my 3 Teslaplex outlets back in mid September (Eliott said they were the first batch, no boxes, etc... but he doubted any production issues would crop up). He was right, or shall I say, I'd love to know what they would do to improve what I'm hearing. Tesplaplexes are tremendous outlets. (Note: I also replaced Porter Ports. I found almost the exact same benefits as the reviewer). Incredible value. Ted |
Do you think using the SR Hologram PCs would make a difference when using the R1 since they use Oyaide plugs? I'm not sure what Duster is using now, but last year he had me convinced on the R1 plugs and I'd been planning on outfitting my system with them (wall and powerstrip/conditioner that uses R1s). Which was good, because the power cords I'd planned on using all used Oyaide plugs (PAD or SR). |
Dlcockrum, Joeyboynj, Adhaney, Curiosity killed the cat.... Would one of you please take a magnet and place it on the back supporting strap of the Teslaplex duplex receptacle and check if it is made from steel, a ferrous, material. If it is made of steel it should stick to the back strap like gorilla glue. Thanks, Jim |
I really do not want to remove it,Joeyboynj, Beings you have a plastic rough-in outlet box you would not have to remove the duplex receptacle, just the outlet cover plate. If the strap is steel the magnet will be attracted to the front part of the strap used to support the receptacle to the rough-in box. If steel the magnet should have a strong attraction to the front part of the strap. . |
01-15-09: JoeyboynjThanks for checking if the receptacle has a steel, ferrous material, mounting back strap. It has been documented for a few years now that ferrous materials incorporated in receptacles can and does degrade the sonics of an audio system fed from such a device. From the picture of the receptacle, the receptacle looks like a regular spec grade Leviton receptacle, which has a steel back strap. |
I know that Synergistic uses a modified Leviton that is made special for them. So I think they use a different back strap since my magnet did not stick. Do you think it would be benificial if I changed the faceplate and screw to something that is non-magetic as well? Furutech has a new faceplate I've been eyeing called the 102-D. Does anyone have any other suggestions? THANKS! |
Do you think it would be benificial if I changed the faceplate and screw to something that is non-magetic as well?Did you check the plate with a magnet? Does it attract the magnet? If so, yes use a non ferrous plate. Cooper makes a SS plate that is non ferrous. http://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/t.pl?f=tweaks&m=124905 |
01-16-09: HifisoundguyHmmm steel strap? Note the info on the box: Quote: "Duplex Receptacle. 20 Amp, 125 Volt, NEMA 5-20R, 2p,3w, narrow body duplex receptacle, straight blade, industrial grade, self grounding, back & side 8 hole Feed-thru wired, steel strap." Steel Strap...... . |
Well, the magnet did not stick to the front of the outlet. I used a strong one. I did not try taking it out and sticking it to the back. Anyway, this outlet is still amazing and way better than the R1 in my system. I would not worry about the steel strap... Geeez... I think you should try one and see how it sounds in your system. Most places offer 30-day trial. I think you will be impressed. |
Quote Furutech FP-15A(Cu)-N1 B1 15A AC receptacle. Copper plated deoxidized phosphor bronze, treated with Furutech's Alpha process. This is a brand new receptacle just released at CES 2007. These are quite a bit better built, with a massive non-magnetic stainless steel backstrap that provides a very rigid structure for the rest of the assembly. These receptacles garner our highest recommendation, and are a worthy progression from the near legendary FP-15AcuFurutech ======================================== Quote Shunyata Research’s SR-Z1 Outlets, are built by Hubbell to Shunyata Research's exacting specifications. These outlets have large internal contacts that provide superior contact integrity for power cords. All Ferrous metals have been removed from the SR-Z1 design, as have carbon materials, which Shunyata's independent tests have proven are detractive to optimal AC performance.============================ PS Audio's new Power Port Premier will soon be available. PS Audio has really outdone themselves and created a world class receptacle, able to stand toe-to-toe with any of the other top audio grade receptacles available. Direct gold plating over high purity berryllium copperLink for quote =============================== Wattgate 381 Gold and silver plated brass terminal clamps, mounting strap, rivets, and grounding strip. Just a note here, the Wattgate sure looks like a Leviton. I wonder if Leviton makes it for them. ========================================== Note not one of these audio grade receptacles have a ferrous, magnetic, backstrap. In fact you will notice no ferrous materials are used in the outlets. It is possible the backstap on the Tesla plex recept is made from a high grade stainless steel. If that is the case, the metal would not be ferrous. Joeyboynj said in his post when he placed a strong magnet on the front of the strap, (the part of the strap that connects the receptacle to the rough-in box), there was not any attraction...... . |
I asked Ted Denney about his Teslaplax outlets and here is the response I got... "Regarding gold jewelery AC outlets, ferrous (magnetic) and non-ferrous (non-magnetic) receptacles, all of these considerations will have an effect on sound but as is always the case, the proof is in the pudding. I first listened to dozens of commercial duplex outlets, found designs I liked, then had a custom 20 amp duplex made to my specifications. You will notice that compared to the jewelery outlets mine has comparatively less metal, just like the connectors for my cables seem modest when compared to fancy precious metal connectors. I find when something looks like jewelery it tends to sound compressed and congested- a good design will have only the material needed to get the job done. A design that has substantially more material (conductor) is more designed to catch the eye of the audiophile, then his or her ear. Lastly every Teslaplex is Quantum Tunneled and this makes a HUGE difference. For anyone who has Tesla power cords, including Holograms with their 079 connectors (which do not have more conductor material then needed), the common link will be Quantum Tunneling and this means top performance is achieved through the use of a Teslaplex and not any other brand (that I know of) duplex. On a design philosophy basis, just because I see a lot of companies riding a "train" of design philosophy, with marketing and market acceptance to make selling a product easier, does not mean I follow suite if I know the trend to be false. I design everything I build to be the best it can be, and I tend to design products that are very different from other brands because I actually design for sound, not marketing. This has meant I have been swimming against the stream..." |
Dlcockrum, it has taken me a long time since you were up and recommended the Tesla outlet and other SR gear. I now also have the SR PowerCell 10SE and the Holograph D charged pc for digital. First let me say that you were absolutely right about the Tesla outlet. I compared it to my IsoClean which now sits unused. It has not been an unusual experience in breaking it in. At first I was impressed, later shocked in particular about the bass and sound stage, then less impressed as it is on its down cycle, and right now again amazed. It was the PowerCell that I first installed, however. It is what just makes me incredulous. I have had over 40 different ac conditioning devices ranging from transformers, regenerator, and various others. This is just so clean, open, and detailed with sparkling top end and bass better than anything I have ever heard. I am approaching the 72 hour, so can hardly wait. I don't know about all outlets, but the several I have tried are left in the Tesla's wake. I have had every power conditioning device I know of and the PowerCell is a 10 on a 10 point scale and the other range from 0 to 2. Ted somehow hit a homerun on this. |
