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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!
128x128dlcockrum

Showing 10 responses by joeyboynj

joeyboynj
621 posts
 
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!
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
Adhaney, I would go for all Teslaplex outlets, plus they are cheaper and better. It seems to work better in my all Synergistic cable system. I was amazed how much better one outlet made a difference just by replacing my R1.

Go for the powercell conditioner which uses all Teslaplex as well.
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
Hi Jim, The one in the link you posted is the exact one I have. I installed it 2 days ago into a plastic wall box.

I really do not want to remove it, but you have me courious why does it matter if its metal back is magnetic. The outlet sounds wonderful the way it is.
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
The magnet did not stick. But it did stick to the screw and the faceplate on the outlet. Is that ok? It did not stick to the outlet when I removed the faceplate and screw.

Can you please explain why you want to know this info...THANKS!
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
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.
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
I tried the magnet on the R1. It stuck a little to the back of it. Lightly.
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
But for those who can afford it and want the best get a Teslaplex.
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
The Teslaplex only took a day to burn in for me, but the effects were almost immediate... 3 days it was all settled. No need to waste time and install it on the computer... Lets us know what your think. Thanks!
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
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!
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
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..."
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