Thanks for the review.
I purchased an R1 receptacle recently, and, having recently purchased a used Convergent preamp which has some serious issues, I had to put it aside and use an Arcam FMJ22 integrated.
My experience mirror yours somewhat with the Oyaide: the stage moving forward (causing larger images), and it being refined. A caveat: ALL the images are larger, not simply the ones in the center of the stage.Images at the sides are equally larger.
Not having tried the Tesla receptacles, I can't comment on them. I DID find the R1s to have considerable low level detail with a fuller harmonic completeness. For example, in the JVC XRCD release of Scheherazade, the musicians' moving in their seats was not a stilted, disembodied sort of sound, but the way sound moves through space, with air being displaced when their chairs moved.
More than that, I found the dynamic inflections considerably better than with the FIM 880 outlets, which seemed to have been the reason the system sounded "softer" and with less transient snap. Musically, it was highly emotionally communicative as well, which is my top priority. Swells in the music were more obvious.
I had auditioned the Tesla interconnects (Precision Reference and, eventually, Apex) and the $2400 power cord last year, and found the Apex to be clearly elevated in its bass-lower midrange response. I had started out wtih the Precision Reference, but Tesla, upon finding that this was the loaner model I had obtained from the Cable Company strongly suggested I needed to use the Apex on the front end. I dutifully got the Apex, but immediately realized it imparted a "rich" sonic signature to music, which to me is a definite coloration. The Precision was less "obvious" in its effects. Oh, the amp was the ASL Hurricanes and the speakers the Usher 718s (which in themselvees may have a rise in the upper bass, so perhaps THAT'S what I heard. I did use other speakers, though, and the effect was still there. And the Arcam integrated is clearly a bit lacking in midbass-lower midrange response, so it wasn't that. The CD player, mainly, was the Cambridge 840C, again, not a player with a rise in those areas).
It's not unusual for manufacturers to build complementary colorations into their products. The early WATTS, for example were tested using the Rowland Coherence 1 (VERY powerful from low bass to lower midrange, exactly where the WATTS were deficient (this was the Series 1 WATTS, circa 1985, long before Dave had the Puppy, which he let me hear in mid 1988 before they were released) and a Spectral DMA 50, which had a rising high end, which compensated for the WATTS' LACK of high end. Given that nothing's perfect, even seemingly "neutral" components such as the Nordosts (which ARE lean, despite protestations to the contrary,which is precisely why Nordost came out with the Odin line. Others may disagree, but HP finally 'fessed up that he wouldn't have thought the Valhallas threadbare 'til he heard the Odins), can cause the system to demonstrate in a complementary way to the preceding components.
Having said that, until I put the R1 in, I hadn't realized the FIMs were doing what they were doing. I certainly didn't feel that way when using the PS Audio receptacles: I didn't hear much difference, but at that time there were some family tragedies, and I wasn't myself. I doubt I could have noticed if I'd locked myself in the room and listened to music for a week straight. It was only this week I noticed it.
Yes, the R1 does bring the presentation closer, but it also layers the 'stage quite well, eliminates a haze at the back of the stage, allowing wall boundaries to be heard, and, overall, allowing a sense of continuousness to ensue. Continuousness isn't something most people listen to in audio components, but just being in a room, if there are sounds going on, you don't hear them in discrete layers: they all ebb and flow continuously with no "vacuum effect" between sounds. The Jadis Defy 7 was the best example of this, as are Avalon speakers. Antique Sound Lab's products are also noticeably continuous, although not to the degree that the Jadis had it. My observation is that the R1s allow - not create -- sound to propogate in the same way as it does in real life.
This is just by way of a different observation. I'm quite sure the Teslas may simply have "more" of this, as this seems to be their forte. I can honestly say I didn't find the power cord to outclass significantly Shunyatas' new CX Viper cords and certainly not the Pythons, all of which I bought last year. I'd say they were very similar, although I hear the "dimensionality" the Teslas provide, which may be a function of a very well-developed midbass, which provides, unquestionably, the "dimensionality" in an audio product that most of us seek. In that case, most products with a bump in the midbass or just simply a near-perfect midbass will have a much greater degree of dimensionality than a product with a weaker midbass. |
Oh really?
hmmmm.... Well I'm leaving tomorrow morning to go visit family for the weekend so everything will be unplugged until I get back so I'll install it when I get home!
That helps.... the outlet for the office is behind a very large corner desk system lol. |
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! |
I just received my teslaplex. I'm going to install it in the office first and let the two computer systems break it in for a bit. |
Dlcockrum,
I’m sorry I missed reading your review when it originally was written.
Excellent job!
Thank you… |
Kenk, I have only used the SR Teslaplex with the PowerCell, but I get none of the harshness or confused imaging you mention. I know it is not a matter of breakin so I suspect your balanced power conditioner and the Teslaplex just don't like each other. I personally cannot stand balanced power conditioners, so I would strongly suggest removing it and plugging your components into a simple power strip. Synergistic has one called the QLS-6 which is tunneled. I know it is better than the IsoClean nice copper power strip that I also own. |
Hello,
I have installed the Teslaplex to replace Oyaide SWO-XXX feeding my balance power conditioner which supplies power to the rest of the gears.
After about 10 day, I have encountered pros and cons. The good: better dynamics, extension and soundstage depth. The bad: harsh, lack cohesiveness and confused imaging.
I wonder if the drawbacks above are due to issue of burn-in which admittedly probably requires more time.
Those in the know, please advise and thanks.
Kenobi |
Let me know of your findings when your install the Telsa Outlet. |
Phillyb,
No doubt about the choice of colorations. One other notable difference I've found between the Oyaide GX, R1 and Porter Ports is soundstaging. The Oyaides are more forward in their presentation, the Porter Ports emerge much further behind the speakers. I use the R1's and Porter Ports in combination, perfect soundstaging in my system.
I'll have to check out the Synergistic Teslaplex, having found Synergistic cables satisfying in previous setups, I suspect these could work in my system. |
Reading all the above. It goes back to a matter of taste and chosen colorations that you enjoy. Like cables it is all a crap shoot.
There is no doubt that outlet can change the presentations, you could blind fold me and switch between a porter port and the Oyaide R-1 and it take seconds to till the difference.
Myself I wound up with a combo of the R-1 on my amp and the porter port on the front end gear with the Oyaide GX Gold on my video gear.
The GX and the Porter Port was close, the Porter adding a much need weight and foundation to the presentation. The GX being lighter sounding and more laid back.
So for my tastes and ear it’s a R-1 with a Porter Port. Now about that new PS Audio outlet…smile!! |
thanks Tbg.
Too bad Ted isn't offering his own thoughts and/or experience on this matter. Guess nothing beats trying things out first-hand.
I currently have several Teslaplexes to play with. Will be comparing to a bunch of others, some cryo'ed, some not.
Dlcockrum, you mentioned settling on the Porter outlet for the amp. I'm curious what the verdict was when your amp (as well as your source+pre) all ran with the Teslaplex?
Balancing act came into play? ...too much of one thing and not enough of another? |
Shadowshaman, I was right. I asked him yesterday. |
I think he has no use for cryogenic treatment, but I suspect he should speak for himself. |
?
Help me out.
I don't see a direct or indirect answer from Ted regarding quantum+cryo.
Knowing would be better than suspecting, especially if quantum tunneling benefits are negated by cryo. |
Shadowshaman, I think Ted answered your question. |
Ted, care to answer my question earlier about deep cryo treatment and how it would factor into the Teslaplex quantum tunneled outlet?
or put another way, would further sonic gains be had by DCT?
Curious minds (aka mad tweakers!) want to know... |
Ted, Thanks for your Henry Ford like reply :) |
Cyclonicman,
You can have any color you want so long as it's red : )
But seriously the color should not be an issue as you cannot see the Teslaplex when you have power cords plugged into it.
Yours in music,
Ted Denney III
Lead Designer, Synergistic Research Inc. |
Does the Tesla Plex come in any other color other than fire engine red! |
The addition of the Teslaplex before my SR PowerCell greatly improved the sound. I am still shocked at the improvement I am hearing with the PowerCell.
I suspect that Synergistic Research does not cryogenically treat their components. |
But for those who can afford it and want the best get a Teslaplex. |
For the money, Porter Ports are a really good investment. |
Shadowshaman, good question. I have no idea, as I never thought of it. |
are the Teslaplex's factory cryo'd?
If not, how would cryo treatment factor into Quantum Tunneling? Anyone try deep cryo treating it? |
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. |
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..." |
QuoteFurutech 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-15Acu
. Furutech ======================================== 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 copper
Power Grip
15 or 20 amp ready
Non ferrous Construction
Proprietary dielectric Housing (PBT)
Hand crafted
UL approved Link for quote=============================== Wattgate 381Gold 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...... . |
The supposed degradation from the steel.... is that something that happens immediately or gradually over time? |
I tried the magnet on the R1. It stuck a little to the back of it. Lightly. |
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. |
01-16-09: Hifisoundguy
Tweekgeek.com has these Tesla Plex AC outlests at a lower price $75... Hmmm 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...... . |
Tweekgeek.com has these Tesla Plex AC outlests at a lower price $75...THE BEST OUTLET I HAVE EVER TRIED! |
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 |
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! |
01-15-09: Joeyboynj
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! Thanks 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. |
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! |
I really do not want to remove it,
01-09-09: Joeyboynj 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. . |
I'm curious as to why a steel backstrap is bad as well? |
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. |
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 |
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. |
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). |
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 |
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! |
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
|
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! |
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. |
No worries, Al my friend. It's all good.
Take Care,
Dave |
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 |
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) |
