Upgraded AC outlets

Dan from Dedicated Audio: I think we've been through this before. If I was a betting man, I'd bet a lot of money that the Wattgate is indeed a re-badged receptacle. Take a close look at the Wattgate info, then go to the Leviton site and take a close look at the info on the Leviton 8300. The Wattgate has gold plating and a face that says "audio grade"; other than that the literature and claims for both receptacles are virtually identical, including Levitons claims of recently upgrading the ground, etc. Coincidence? I don't think so. I believe, if I'm not incorrect that someone here has also posted that their Wattgate (perhaps an older model) actually has "Leviton" stamped on it.

My take on this, after much experimentation, is this. The stock spec grade Levitons and isolated ground Levitons I have experience with are nothing special. The PS Audio is a Hubbell 8300 with supposedly 15 layers of extra nickel plating (the extra layers may even be detrimental to sound), the Acme is a Pass and Seymour 5242 (which in stock for is ok, but not, in my opinion anywhere close to the performance of the stock Hubbell 8200/8300) with silver plating. The Jena labs is a cryoed Hubbell 5362, selling for over $100, which you can purchase from Audioexcellence for $55 (or a cryoed 8300 for $60) with a very good cryo treatment followed by a cook on a cable cooker before shipment. The Audioexcellence/World Power outlets are exceptional, and great value, in my opinion of course.

Clueless: I've never really done any male plug comparisons, but I have used the Hubbell 5266CCN with very good results. I cut off the molded plug on my turntable's power supply and re-terminated with this plug with excellent sonic results (cost of this plug is about $7 U.S.) and I have a couple of DIY power cords currently in use terminated with this plug as well. No experience with others, though.

Alexander and others: Check this out. Sorry about the pdf file on the Leviton page; it will take a little while to download. Look at page 4 of the Leviton site (specs on hosp. grade levitons)

http://www.leviton.com/pdfs/ind%20receptacles/b-616%20ind%20receptacles.pdf

Then look at:

http://www.wattgate.com/prod-381.htm

I particularly like how the Leviton and Wattgate both got an "upgraded" grounding system at the same time. Must be a coincidence. Yes, your Wattgate has gold plating on it, and I haven't heard it, so I can't really comment on its sound quality. But I can't help but think that people purchasing this receptacle are paying about $120 for that gold plating and that blue star. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe it's worth it.....

P.S. Sorry, forgot this. Page 2 and 3 of the Leviton site show a couple of the hospital grades with gold colored mounting yokes as well. Actually, that whole file is kind of interesting.