I am renovating my house so have the opportunity to overhaul everything including the electrics. I am having a dedicated line from the breaker box/RCD to my hifi equipment. Will adding these types of wall sockets also help reduce interference from other household appliances, routers etc? What does Rhodium actually do in this case? It’s less conductive than copper, silver and gold.
Personally I’d stay away from those ugly, stupid UK wall sockets and plugs.
Use USA plugs and sockets, it’s ok to do as long as your wall sockets are protected properly and I guess the UK being what it is you would need the installation properly certified for insurance but you will save a fortune in cables.
15 amp USA = 7 amp UK or 20 amp USA = 10 amp UK. (240V)
These are continuous current ratings. I run a 3KW power conditioner fused at 12.5 amps off a 20 amp USA cable. UK max is 13 amps so no real difference.
Don’t go down the EU Schuko road.
Wall sockets to choose include Oyaide, Furutech, SR Purple, QSA etc.
@kota1So those Pangea outlets use "gold-plated beryllium copper contacts". Will this make much of a difference? Is this better than Rhodium?
1) I am doing this
2) What does the sorcer do? It's expensive. Could I add this further down the line? I'm presuming I can just put it near the breaker box at a later date.
3) Why the Pangea? I'm in UK so will need UK sockets. But I'm sure I can find a similar quality brand. I thought MCRU was this.
4) I will definitely treat the room. I have bought an Umik-1 mic so will use that with REW to measure the room first. But I hadn't thought of free consultations from the vendors. I'll definitely get in touch. Thank you!
2) The ADD-POWR products upgrade the signal harmonics. I recommended that product because it can be added at the breaker box. They have less expensive products that can be used within the room, NP. You need to check out their website for details.
3) I only recommended Pangea because I have tried it. Get a brand appropriate for UK, I don't know rhodium but have had good results with outlet upgrades in general.
4) The vendors have dome thousands of rooms and will give you an anaalysis, even if you don't place an order:
You will see what metals conduct the best. Rhodium is way down the list and is used only because it is hard wearing and it looks nice and shiney
However - it’s very hard to get the metals with the best conductivity into an outlet - not to mention very expensive.
I have found that Hospital grade outlets have a tendancy to "clamp" more effectively than a standard outlet and for a more reasonable cost than the unit you have posted
Unfortunately you have posted a picture of a UK outlet, which I am not too familiar with.
I like using hospital grade with copper contacts. It's takes some drilling down spec sheets but they can be had on the cheap from reputable manufacturers. Really the best deal in my opinion. Something engineered in mass to make sure life saving equipment will make good contact has to be good enough for audio...
Look at the Maestro Outlets. I had been using Porter Ports since forever. But the Maestro's are head and shoulders above. Read the reviews. The upgrade will suprise you.
Highly recommend the Furutech GTX-D sockets. I use the gold plated version GTX-DG (G for gold) around $176 but they also make the GTX-DR (R for Rhodium) for about $220.
I tested both but preferred the gold. It fit my system better and gave a more laid back sound, but the Rhodium is more detailed if that fits your likes.
+1 @carlsbad, rhodium is not the greatest conductor but is used also because it wont tarnish or corrode, so personally I wouldn’t pay the premium for it. The best wall sockets I’ve used are the audioquest nrg that have silver spade grounds.
The entire electric panel shares noise with every single outlet in your home. Dedicated outlets are helpful but noise is still a problem regardless. Maybe a sub panel is a better choice for your audio system.
A great power conditioner goes a lot further and maybe generating your own electricity.
Get higher gauge electric wire from the panel to ensure you can meet all your delicate frequency needs and then I think you're OK. Wait a while and let things calm down and then invest in new outlets if you want. these are easy to change later on
Whilst the house is ripped open during the renovation, I thought I might as well do this now. It then gives me the opportunity to upgrade over time with things like power conditioning, the electronics and speakers themselves etc...
Once the house is done, next stage is room treatment and I'll go from there.
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