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Unbelievable Indeed

For those of you who do not believe in the changes a power cord or interconnect can make to a system - please stop reading right now. The topic I have for discussion goes far beyond these incredulous stories and certainly approaches the most ridiculous *I've* ever experienced.

Still with me?

This afternoon while at the hardware store, I came across a cheap $1.95 brass outlet cover. I thought, "hey... my system has gold accents so... maybe the brass would look cool." I bought one.

I came home and removed the flimsy, broken plastic cover which I had been using for the past year on top of my PS Audio power outlet and installed the brass cover. Looks nice.

I powered on my system so it could warm up - I planned to spend the evening with Mahler's 5th.

When I sat down to listen, I noticed my system had WAY more highs than I remembered... There was almost a glare to 'em.

I listened for a while to some familiar jazz vocals and quickly realized that the sound from my system had changed.

I removed the brass outlet cover and plugged the components back into the outlet without a cover and my system sounded closer to how I remembered but not exactly...

I switched the covers back and forth from plastic, to brass to nothing at all and with each cover, the system sounded much different.

With the brass cover (might be fake brass for all I know) the system sounded very extended in the highs - almost bright. With the plastic cover on, my system was dull by comparison but a bit on the dark side. Without the cover, the system sounded best - as far as I can tell thus far.

Not only does the material used in the cover plate make a difference but the tightness of the plate itself changes the sound of the system. Tighter=brighter... Also the tightness of the outlet in the wall seems to effect the sonics too.

Weird!

Comments?
bwhite
bwhite OP
807 posts
 
Hi Bob, I'm surprised too - however, I thought if someone didn't believe me they could very easily get a cheap metal outlet cover and try it for themselves - in their system. The $2.00 investment is certainly less than the cost of trying cords, cones, interconnects, etc. Perhaps it would help them see the light.

I'm not saying the metal cover would sound better - just different.
bomarc
501 posts
 
Bwhite: Your experience isn't unbelievable at all. The only thing that's unbelievable are the explanations for it.

Have you considered painting your room to match the brass fixture?
bishopwill
369 posts
 
I have found that the sound is further improved by

(1) Painting the inside of the brass fixture a dark Chinese red (Sherwin Williams #3604). Adding a bit of titanium white, readily available at art supply stores, can help to tame overly aggressive tweeters.

(2) Making three small (~2.5mm) parallel scratches in the brass on the lower edge of the fixture in a direction oriented toward the mouth of the Chi. Consult any reputable Feng Shui practitioner for assistance. The effect on the lower midrange is simply phenomenal.

will
theaudiotweak
2,797 posts
 
The possible explanation of the brass wall plate is as follows.The brass wall plate is acting in benefit in two ways. Brass is going to serve as a RFI shield at the wall to room junction. The brass wall plate will greatly increase the size of the ground plane...Tom
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