AC Outlets

Peter,

I applaud you. This is the stuff. These guys that talk and have giant opinions but have never tried it get on my nerves.

You have a massive task to prepare though. You will need to 'burn in' each outlet for at least a few hundred hours before conducting any meaningful test.

Don't forget some Oyaide sockets too if you can.

Wow! I think this is about all anyone who wants a clear answer could ask for. I agree on the burn in time though. My AM went through a nasty sounding phase for a few hours.

Leaving aside hook up, burn-in, etc.,
is there some way you can log listener reactions to match what
receptacles/plugs they are responding to?
are listeners allowed to share their comments as a group in deciding what
sounds 'better' or 'worse'? (There is often 'groupthink' where people's
attitudes are influenced by the views of peers);
duration of playing on each outlet - the fast "a/b" type switch doesn't tell
much sometimes or can be misleading, partly because of the source
material that may be playing at any
given time, so some thought should be given, not only to duration of
listening on each receptacle/plug, but on the kinds of source material that
will be used- I would think a range of stuff that shows mid range, simple
acoustic instrument recordings, human voice that is not over-gimmicked in
the recording process; piano- critical, at least to me in assessing what is
going on in a system, etc. I will look at your system re source equipment,
but would assume the more revealing the source and program material, the
more obvious the differences, all other things being equal. Just out of
curiosity, are you doing vinyl or tape?

Chad,

I did consider the Oyaide outlets - but I have a limit of 8 outlets, mainly because my little PLC that I use for these things only have 8 outputs.

I wanted to include the 2 generic outlets the Leviton and the Hubbel industrial grade, as well as a completely generic super cheap one with a similar moulded cord. The Audiophile Grade AC outlets I selected for the test were the ones recommended the most in the thread.

Also I think that if we conclude that there is little if any difference in these 8 it would be safe to conclude that any heard difference in outlets is imagined. You already know my position on this if you have read the tread through, but since there was such passion for this why not do a controlled test, I might learn something, if I do great, if not at least I'll have some data to back up any advise given on the subject.

As far a "break in" of the outlets I will try to do my best to get some mileage on them, most likely by connecting them all at the same time in parallel once i get the jig mounted up and maybe run my two amps at home on them for a few weeks this way they will all have the same amount of hours on them. Personally I don't think much break in if any is needed but I want this to be as objective as possible, and both you and Rja suggested it (Rja, welcome back, I'm pleased that we can have a civilized conversation about this)

Rok2id, If you insist :-)


Good Listening

Peter

Whart,

Vinyl is my preferred source - and we will use CD as well.

Thanks

Peter