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What kind of outlet wall plate do yo use?

I was reading a post over on AA last week. The post was about outlet wall plates, non magnetic stainless steel wall plates.

I had seen these posts in the past on AA but always passed them over never really reading them. This time I took the time to read the post and reponses to it.

To cut to the chase I went out and found some non magnetic stainless steel outlet plates at a lumber yard. I must stop here and tell you I was a bit skeptical that I would hear any difference in sound from my system.

I pulled the plastic plates from my 3 dedicated duplex outlets and installed the ss plates. I plugged the equipment back in and turned on the system. I let it warm up for about a half hour and then sat down for a listen.

The first CD I listened to was Diana Krall, "The Girl in The Other Room." I could hear a difference right off, but not for the better. Sound stage was small, Krall's piano sounded like a blanket had been thrown over it. The air had been let out of the music.
I listened to a few other CDs with the same results.

I then carefully pulled the ss plates from the outlets for the preamp and the power amp. Just sliding them down on the cords out of the way. I sat back down for a listen. Every thing was back as it was before I had installed the ss plates.

I should mention here my preamp is a Sonic Frontiers line-1, and the power amp is an Audio Research VT50.
The three 20 amp branch circuits are installed in EMT conduit. The rough-in boxes are 4"x4" 2 1/8" deep with a single gang raised device cover for the sheetrock wall and electrical outlet mounting. Wire is #10 awg solid THHN copper. Recepts Leviton 20A Hosp Grade. Branch circuit breakers single pole Square D OQ. Branch circuits breakers installed on the same line in the panel. Distance from electrical panel less than 25ft.

I still was puzzled why there was any difference in sound at all. I then, just for the hell of it, installed two leviton stainless steel plates. One for the power amp outlet and the other for the preamp outlet. A magnet will stick to the leviton plates like gorilla glue...

I plugged the gear back in, turned on the system and let it warm up for about a half hour or so. I then sat down for a listen. The sound, not bad. Remember this is the electrical wall outlet plate. First impressions the sound is darker, vocals smoother, more body, fuller.

I will compare the leviton ss plate to the plastic plate later after my ears have had a chance to adjust to this new sound.

Have any of you guys experimented with the wall outlet cover plates?
Why is there a difference in sound? When I first read the post I thought maybe it was due to the rigidity effect the plate was placing on the electrical outlet. Was it working as a damper of sorts. I mean a non magnetic ss cover plate verses a plastic plate.
Why did the non magnetic ss plate degrade the sound of my system?
With the Leviton ss plates are they providing shielding, in effect a Faraday cage.

By the way I asked the person, who posted the thread, why the plate changed the sound on his system. Some of those tweakers can be quite defensive when you question them. Though he was not others were.
I also should mention the member is using solid state gear.

Jim

jea48
61 responses Add your response
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Well guys, all I can say is if your afraid to spend a couple of dollars to see if it makes a difference, I don't know why you would take the time to type a response here.

I clearly remember when arguments raged over interconnect cable, people said it was impossible for cabling to make a difference. Then it was power cables, they could not make a difference.

Now, thousands of end users hear and enjoy the improvements wire and connectors make. I have not attended a high end show in the USA or Europe where a system did not sport these aftermarket upgrade parts.

AC power connections can be just as important, even to the plugs and covers and in time this will be accepted just as quality speaker posts are accepted today.

In response to Honest1:
What about the wall studs that the lines pass through? What about the conduit diameter? What about everything that happens to the electrical wiring on the other side of the fuse box?

Absolutely you can hear if the electrical is run in open air (under pier and beam home for instance) or through steel conduit.

I have experimented with this and just like the wall plates, install boxes and AC runs, the simplest, most direct, and least expensive usually works in these situations.

I would have thought this would be good news to readers, guess everyone would be happier if I suggested a $1000 option instead of a two dollar one?
rwwear
2,867 posts
 
Everything that is changed in your room may affect the sound in some way. Someone standing or sitting in a different place will affect sound. But that doesn't mean you can hear it. Another thing. It is impossible to prove something doesn't exist. That's why we have so many different religions and UFO and Nessie sitings. I prefer to not believe until it is proven otherwise.
jvogt
212 posts
 
I've found that the Home Depot plastic wall plates
impart a loss of spatial information and lack of
coherency. Ace Hardware wall plates have an extended
high frequency response but muddy, one-dimensional
bass. I tried and quickly eliminated Sears wall plates
as they had no pace and rhythm. I plan to try some
$75 cryogenically treated plates which hopefully will
be a significant upgrade over the K-Mart plates
presently installed.

By the way.....anyone interested in buying a bridge?
I have one for sale in Arizona........
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
What about a Timex clock? Oops, sorry, that's another thread. :^)
rwwear
2,867 posts
 
Yes but if you keep your mind too open, trash will fall in. I too can hear differences in equipment but thinking you can hear the type of wall plate you are using is ridiculus. If you want to hear a difference you will.
honest1
586 posts
 
The thing that I find disturbing about this isn't that it might be bogus, but that it might be true. Think about the implications if the wall plate can affect the sound, what about everything else anywhere near your system. What about the wall studs that the lines pass through? What about the conduit diameter? What about everything that happens to the electrical wiring on the other side of the fuse box? What about EVERY other object in your sound room and house?
jea48 OP
4,425 posts
 
>>"You people have to be on drugs or kidding."<<
Rwwear"
>>>>>>>>

Nope..... When it comes to audio I keep an open mind. I will believe anything out there untill proven otherwise.

This simple tweak will cost you about 3 or 4 bucks to buy a few plates. You may even have a little fun in the process.
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Crazier still Rwwear, I believe I can hear differences between tubes and transistors, digital and analog and even power cords and fuses !

As for drugs, I admit I'm taking Lipitor as a cholesterol reduction aid.
rwwear
2,867 posts
 
You people have to be on drugs or kidding.
albertporter's avatar
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
Jea48.

Yes, I've experimented with each of those and I agree with your findings, metal wall plates do not perform well in my system either. I tried several brands, including both magnetic and non magnetic, stainless steel types.

My favorite is the non-breakable Pass Seymour constructed of Nylon (not plastic). I have provided a link to an image of that product at the bottom of my post.

Try these if your willing to experiment, and tell us if they work for you. They're very inexpensive and look like a standard builder grade cover at first glance.

For what it's worth, I don't like metal outlet boxes either, I choose the oversize Nylon outlet boxes available at Home Depot ($1.69 each).

The great thing about Nylon boxes, regardless of outlet design, you can have isolated or non isolated ground as plugs do not share contact via the ground strap. A great option that sounds better and provides choices.

Nylon Outlet Cover
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
Jea, those other folk not only don't know why the sound changes the way it does, they don't care, either...which is, IMO, the way it ought to be. What we ought to care about is the quality of the sound, about carefully determining how the sound has changed and determining if the changes are for better or worse. Looks to me as if you're on the way to being careful.

Let us know what you conclusions you finish with.
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