Albertporter only needs 50

I got my outlets today and, of course, could not wait a moment to get one going. I installed one in a non-dedicated circuit, though I do have an electrician friend scheduled to remedy THAT situation after the holidays. I plan to use this one from the "git go", and have the other outlet I bought "cooked" and then do a comparison later.

First impressions are outstanding. Tighter bass and, overall, a MUCH "cleaner" presentation. Upper end is really improved - for instance, the timbre of cymbals are standing out like never before. As Albert says, they will sound better out of the box than stock outlets, and this is true in spades. Look forward to the breakin and further improvements.

Know I won't have the stamina of Maxgain to post blow-by-blow results, but will try to keep others posted as to my experience.

THANKS AGAIN ALBERT!!

December 31,02

I just have a bit to add now that the outlets are setteled in and sounding amazing. I did find that the outlets did change the tonal balance. They got rid of some colorations in the bass and mid bass as well as smoothing out everything else. I had set up the speakers prior to the outlets for this, unknown to me at the time,to compensate for this colored bass. Now that I have re-positioned the speakers for the new and improved tonal qualities I am getting smoother and more defined bass with greater drive and better pace. I find that I can also move the speakers farther apart and still retain the kind of focus and image that I was looking for. This opens up the soundstage to an even greater degree than ever before. Very Cool!

I have to say that this has been an unqualified sucess for me and has been a great learning experience. I have always been a firm beliver in set up and having the fundamentals of the system in place before you try to evaluate what you have as far as components. I do think that most audiophiles give up on speakers and electronics far before they know what they can sound like given the right set up. I will say that these duplexes are at the very least a great set up tool that anyone wanting to improve system their needs to install before they spend one more dime on anything else. I am planning future improvements in this area of AC power by upgrading my electrical lines and my other stock power cords and some sort of line filter that I can use these outlets in(perhaps a Chang or an Audio Magic). I am close to where I want to go with what I refered to as set up fundamentals. I have some reasonable isolation form vibration for my gear now and would like to work on my room a acoustics a bit before I ever consider buying a new pair of speakers, wires, or components. These outlets are a MUST have item for any serious listener.

Once again thanks to Albert,Lak,Brian,and the other Audiogon members for sharing in this experience and sharing their knowledge with me. I may never have stumbled on to these with out your help. I would like to ask once again for a few reports from the others of you who have installed these in their systems. I would like to find out what you think?

Max, Thanks for your updates. My guess, is that many of us who bought these outlets have not installed them yet. I am currently using a Tice outlet, and will A/B it with the Cryo treated ones soon. I finally installed them in a wall next to my reptile tank. I chose this location for the outlet because there are lights, filters, and heaters that are constantly on. I have chose not to go through hearing the "Whole" break-in experience and will wait a couple of months. If you think the spike from the fridge is better let us know.

We just celebrated Xmas here (ok, New Year as well)... my father is always stir-crazy for projects around the house, so I knew I'd have my chance (I've been sitting on the outlets a while - I'm not stupid!) I had him install Porter Ports for my main rig and my bedroom rig.

First impressions in my main rig - detail retrieval improved, and a little bit sibilant. Burn-in will zero it in. I can already see the light at the end of this tunnel! Very pleased already.

Pops didn't understand quite exactly what we were doing or why we were doing it (a missing cover plate and a 20yr old brown "Eagle" outlet in one room helped him think there was some point to this), but he really did admire the fit and finish of the outlets.

Looking forward to years of better sound. Thanks all,
Mike

Okay Max, I heard your request for more of us to participate in our findings of the Porter Ports. I hope I am not premature, but nevertheless they're great.

I am comparing these with outlets from Tice Audio, which have been in my system for the last 6 years. Tice treats their outlets with high current,(TPT-Tice Power Technology)rather than our Cryo'd treated Hubbells with low temperture.

I Chose not to listen to the whole burn-in experience of the Porter Ports, so it was used elsewhere. I figured after a week or so it may be time to check these babies out. I knew as soon as I heard them, it was not burned in yet. It sounded very thin, cold and very clean, not bright, not warm, Clean.

I have been very satisfy with Tice Treated outlets for years. They have a good soundstage,layers of full warm mids and decent bass. The Porter Ports changed daily from a thin clean sound to a very focus soundstage, with layers of warm accurate mids, highs and a tight bass to boot. The detail and extention on vocals are amazing. The Tice and the Hubbell do share the same intimate soundstage. I understand the Hubbell 5362 is a tad more laid back than the 8300.

As I write this, of course I believe the outlet has stabilized and I it will remain in my system for years to come.

Thanks again Albert and you too Max!