Wall outlets

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

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,

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?

@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 ?

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 .

@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. 

@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.

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.

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

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

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) 

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.

"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.

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   :)

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.

@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. 

@celtic66 very nice!

"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

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

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

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.

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

@tonydennison no worries, haha. 

@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

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.

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

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.

@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. 

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

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

@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.

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. 

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

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

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

Only after the job is done and tested. 🙂

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.

@shtr74sims 

I apologize for responding to a post that I think is just being a contrary  , I've never bothered  taking the time before but today it just got to me .

From your post you are leaning towards going with the Furutech GTX-D NCF that cost $280 without a cover .  while I am using Audioquest NGR Edison ( now $80 less than Furutech ) it comes with the outlet cover  , it was also on sale for $135 .  I would have gone with Cardas ( about 5 years ago ) but then they were using what looks like a Hubble made outlet  whereas now they look like they are using an Audioquest made which costs $150 without a cover . I think that all 3 would be equivalent .

As for Medical Grade or HG they are just very heavy duty for being able to handle constant plugging and unplugging and also after taking one apart the 15amp is the same internally as the 20amp !   

@erik_squires 

You must have purchased counterfeit Furutech locking bananas, I have seen no such problem with them.  

Online forums are to argumentative people as honey is to the bees.

This is supposed to be a fun pace to come ask for someone’s thoughts. Not to criticize or belittle someone. There has not been one time I have created a forum to get genuine options on something and without fail someone starts to run their mouth. Just sayin… 

Ok, I just found the 2013 Audiogon link to the finer points of the Hubbell 5362 in its various versions

All things Hubbell 5362

Nitty Gritty

I had really poor experience with the material quality of Furutech locking bananas, and I’ve stayed away from the brand ever since. If I ever spend money on boutique connectors again it will be on WBT.

No amount of cry-deep-space-cosmic-ray-treated hype will convince me to spend a penny on Furutech ever again.

Also did a whole write-up on Wattgate products.  The more I have worked with and used boutique connectors the less impressed I am and for outlets will absolutely stick to Leviton/Hubbell/Eaton where I'm never going to be worried about the material or design quality.

@mc1969 , sure you do.

These things come with a 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee, you know. 😉

The fact that you don't have your system posted, and more importantly, used the term "snake oil" in your response above, as well as your need to try to prove yourself both more capable and more knowledgeable than everyone else leads me to believe you're not being entirely honest.

Have a great day and happy listening.

@mc1969

Again you have stated your opinion so what is your point by repeating yourself 3 times other than being argumentative!  You are not convincing anybody that they aren't hearing an improvement in their system just because you don't .

I will admit that with conventional thinking I did agree with your opinion until I started getting serious about listening to and improving my system, the same being with a power cable where only the size gauge matters or even a fuse is a fuse , but since I and many others have tried different outlets , power cables and even fuses and found that sound can be influenced in ways that were not thought of in 1969 .

I have tried many outlets. I currently now have 10 Furutech NCF outlets. To me, they sound better especially when used with hi-quality power cords.

If you only have one outlet, why cheap out? 

ozzy