Wall outlets

+1, @audphile1 on Furutech GTX-D Rhodium outlet. Never mind the detractors! 

@vair68robert no worries, it’s hard to keep quiet sometimes. I do appreciate the apology, not everyone does that. 

Audioquest NG Edison is a nice receptacle. Grips like a gorilla. 

As many have mentioned, you can not go wrong with Furutech GTX-D(G) Gold plated, or GTX-D(R) Rhodium. In my system I preferred the Gold plated version, but I can see that the Rhodium version would appeal to some who prefer a more detailed presentation. I did keep the GTX-D(R) as I will compare it as I upgrade my system going forward. I can also recommend the Oyaide R1 receptacle (not the SWO XXX version) and the Cardas 4181 receptacle. 

@vthokie83 that’s a smart move to keep the R outlet for potential future use. As your system evolves and improves, you will find the high frequencies get more refined. At that point there’s no longer a need to warm things up with a gold plated outlet and you just need to open it all up and let it shine. These outlets, as well as the top of the line Rhodium AC connectors are all about transparency and clarity while retaining natural tone without becoming analytical.

This outlet also looks interesting:

https://highend-electronics.com/products/synergistic-research-tesla-plex-se-receptacle

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb5j04-synergistic-research-tesla-plex-se-wall-outlet-quantum-tunneled-with-1-million-volts-tweaks

@lak I don’t know of any wife that would go for that red… lol

@vthokie83 I like warm sounding, I like the gold but I don’t want it to be to much for my system. Rhodium seems like the safer bet right now. 

A friend of mine is an electrician and has offered to install a new outlet behind my rack. He said I could pay with a case of beer.

When the zombie apocalypse hits it is people like that I'll miss the most.

@erik_squires don’t get me started…. That’s a whole different forum. Lol. 

Audphile1 and shtr74sims,

Agreed. The GTX-D(G) works best right now with my all solid state gear and a $15,000 mid-fi level. I also have a Tubes4hifi (Bob Latino) VTA ST-120 tube amp that I need to integrate somehow once my listening room is finished later this year. In the end I'll have 3 dedicated circuits, and will have both the gold and rhodium receptacles.....and I'll use whatever plug works best for those components. I also really do like the Oyaide R1 receptacle a lot.....not sure what I might do with that, if anything.

@shtr74sims 

"did you mean to ask me how I set up a sub ? I don’t currently have one…"

I thought I saw one in the diagram above.

I guess I was mistaken

T

@tonydennison no worries, haha. 

I agree with mc1969. The placebo affect can be an amazing thing, especially when there is money involved and other like minded people.

Just installed Furutech GTX-D Rhodium outlet and I run a complete loom of Furutech 4.1 power cables to include the 20A wall to Puritan conditioner.  Hefty price tag, but well worth it in my system, which is the only one that really counts.

Just moved my Oyaide SWO XXX B/P to my wife's system and that system received a nice upgrade.

I do not run dedicated lines, but that may be in future.

@celtic66 what connectors are you using on your dps-4.1 cables?

@audphile1  Furutech FI-50 NCF standard wall plug, except for of course the 20A which is I believe an FI-51 NCF.

"As your system evolves and improves, you will find the high frequencies get more refined'...oh yeah.Somebody knows what there doing at furutech.The 28r on up.

Well said audphile1

@celtic66 very nice!

@digsmithd I actually just replaced FI-28R on my FP-S32n power cord that’s on my DAC with FI-50 R and the improvement is beyond what I anticipated. Really nice across the board how it just opened everything up. 

Yeah i got a great deal on new set 50 r ncf ’s im going to use on source cable just bought as well.Im really quite content but im sure they’ll be replaced by 50’s and life will go on.When people refer 50's to audio jewelry...man they are incredibly built.

The big knockout lately with my wire’s has been audioharma.I gave ic’s 6hr’s a set/daisy chained a freshen up,took some time for them to open back up/up to 2 weeks?... but they are on a whole new level.This is with frybaby/1000 + hrs on them too...shocked and pleased.

Orange colored outlets signify an isolated ground. In other words a dedicated ground wire to earth, not a mechanical connection through the ears, or whatever. In older installations where people may have added their own circuits, the neutral bus can become unbalance, or develop a voltage potential. Correcting neutral, or having an electrician check for voltage between neutral and ground should be the first step. An expensive outlet will not fix a voltage potential on the neutral. As a former Plant Engineer we fought CNC gremlins and computer bugs. Cleaning up the electrical panels and finding the junctions where a neutral was "borrowed", then adding an isolated ground dedicated to computers only (no motors!!!) fixed almost all the problems. We were stumped trying to balance the computer programmers   :)

"expensive outlet will not fix a voltage potential on the neutral."...Point taken.Doing some reading on this bummin through articles and this is something very overlooked and not talked about near enough.

In my last house, I used a PS Audio audiophile wall outlet and it worked great. When I moved, I made the mistake of leaving the PS Audio outlet in my old house. As for my new home, instead of just go with another PS Audio outlet, I decided to do a little further research before installing a new one. Based on extensive research, and extremely positive feedback, I decided to go with the Audioquest NRG Edison Duplex Wall Outlet (15 AMP). I could’ve spent a lot more $$$ on an outlet, but the Audioquest was superb, so my search was over. Now, the Audioquest audiophile wall outlet is my go-to wall outlet.

Hi shtr74sims...thanks for the question,

A simple hospital grade upgrade, even into a shared circuit, will help sound.  Over years, I've gone from Hubbel, to Acme to Furutech outlet in a dedicated circuit, including their receptacle cover.  Additionally, I replaced the male plug to my dedicated wired line conditioner.  The resulting noise floor, for me, is well worth the cost.  I'm not overly handy, but was easily able to DIY the upgrades with simple household tools.  "CIRCUIT OFF!!!"    :)    

The higher end Furutech receptacles have spring-loaded grip, taught and less abrasive over years of use. 

Happy tunes and More Peace,        Pin     (bold print for old eyes) 

@kennymacc thanks for the feedback. There are a lot of options these days. 

@pinthrift I am pretty set on the furutech, I gotta get my buddy to come over soon. We both have been pretty busy lately. 

A simple hospital grade upgrade, even into a shared circuit, will help sound.

I’ve replaced at least half of the outlets in my home, and let me tell you, trust nothing. 🤣

If you are using a shared circuit, replace and clean every other outlet on the circuit as well. Doesn’t have to be platinum, cryo outlets, but do use at least Commercial/Residential and take the time to clean each wire with fine sandpaper.

You’d be amazed at the stuff I found in this 17 year young home. Totally worth doing.  Even my kitchen appliances run better.

@erik_squires , it never occurred to me to clean my non-audio outlets metal contacts. Thanks.

I plan to upgrade to Furutech GTX-D Rhodium outlet, then maybe QSA (Quantum Science Audio) afterwards.

@kennyc 

Yes, indeed, if you are using a shared circuit all the outlets are daisy-chained together.  Any corrosion or poor contacts filters downstream.  Also, if you can use the back-wire (not back stab) connections you get more metal in the connection between up and downstream. 

I agreed with erik_squires , one of the first things I did about 13 years ago is replace every cheap ( like 89 cents ) outlet and switch with commercial grade , using aHG outlets where I was plugging my system into . I then replaced the amp plug with a PS Audio , soon after I replaced all the other outlets on the systems circuit with HG outlets ,

I have since replace the PS Audio with an Audioquest NGR Edison moving the PS Audio to my TV's outlet . I plug  the amp directly into the outlet and the front end equipment is plugged into a Medical Grade Tripp-Lite IsoBar Ultra .

@vthokie83 I too like the GTX-D gold version over the rhodium. Don’t like R plating. I just wish Furutech did a NCF version in the gold plating.

VHAudio sell the Oyaide R1 and I have considered getting it. What’s your experience with it? Did you compare directly to GTX-D ?

Agisthos,

When I initially started testing outlets, I started with the Furutech GTX-D(G) and loved it. I started to compare the other outlets, and always compared them to the gold Furutech. My least favorite were the Oyaide SWO XXX and the Cardas 4181.....though I want to be clear that both were vastly superior to the commercial grade that I had installed initially. I did however give those 2 outlets to friends, who use them to this day.

I kept the two Furutech GTX-D (gold and rhodium), and the Oyaide R1, because they were so close to each other and that they all could have a place in my evolving system. I am building a listening room in my basement that will have 3 dedicated circuits, one each will have the GTX-D(G), GTX-D(R), and Oyaide R1 receptacles. That will give me the chance to further test and use which outlets work with which components.

My thoughts summarized: the Furutech Gold is is aligned with my listening tastes, smooth/engaging/detailed/inviting and an all around great performer with great imaging and soundstage. The Furutech Rhodium is more detailed/revealing/resolving and in my current layout was not as enjoyable as the gold version......though many may prefer that sound. The Oyaide R1 is Platinum plated and is more refined/detailed/resolving than the Furutech gold, but without some of the warmth.....though soundstage was the best of the 3 that I still own. All 3 are superior performers for me, and will be the 3 I use going forward.

Hopefully that gives you some clarity?

Great info thanks for sharing. Wall outlet comparisons are the most difficult thing to do in this hobby so this info is appreciated.

Looks like I will try that R1 - it may strike a balance between the gold and rhodium. 

Agisthos, please report back.....I'd love to hear your impressions