AC Outlets


Where do I search for ac outlets?
2string1
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
Whart,

You make a lot of good points and exactly the input I was looking for as my strong point is the technical side of this. Maybe you could suggest an actual procedure along with some musical selections you think would be appropriate to use.

Please keep the suggestions coming

Good Listening

Peter
Thanks Peter, i'm hardly an expert, some of this comes from basic
behavioral 'testing', i.e. when you do polls or try to get an honest opinion
from a subject; some of it, just my experience as a listener, i.e. i think i
have pretty 'quick ears,' in the sense that i can detect differences, but
deciding which is better or worse takes longer, not only in time, but over
various material.
It sounds like you have a Leviton, a Hubbell, a Porter (which may be a
tweaked Hubbell?) plus a total cheapola? I think that's a little too much on
the low end,* I'd vote for including a couple of top dog receptacles, I don't
know the model of the recherche Furutech and i thought a lot of folks
switched to that from the Oyaide, but if you could make room for that too, it
might be good. If it is a question of expense, I'm sure you could get several
of us to send you 25 bucks each to buy some of the fancier ones. I'm happy
to contribute if others are too, i know you weren't soliciting- but it's a
minimal investment for the sake of science. :)
I participated in a similar test years ago to pick the best exhaust for a
hepped up Porsche turbo. (Had a GT2 at the time). I agreed to buy the Ruf
exhaust if it tested best, paid for it, Ruf delivered it to the shop that ran the
test and lo and behold, a cheapo exhaust actually delivered more power
than the Ruf. Ruf graciously took the exhaust back from the test shop, and
refunded the money to me (it was a pretty expensive muffler). I bought the
el cheapo one that won the test. Hated it! It was so fking loud i couldn't hear
myself think.
*PS not implying the Porter is low end, that's actually what's in my current
room right now.
PPS: I have to believe there are some scientists here who know test
methodology, including some behavioral science types who could help you.
I know, over the years, I've read various articles about blind testing.
Here's a link to one, i am not endorsing it, but you'll see that the description
of the methodology, as well as some of the letters criticizing the approach,
can stimulate your thinking.
http://www.stereophile.com/features/113/index.html
FWIW, having listeners familiarize themselves with the pieces of music first
is a good idea. You also have the issue, not just of listener fatique, but of
'vinyl fatigue' for lack of a better word- you shouldn't be playing the same
cuts over and over- it will kill the record and probably not sound as good
after several back to back plays. I know the AES also has some papers,
Floyd Toole, etc. but I'm out of my depth here, and the first to admit it.
Interesting to see what others can contribute on the test methology. I will
note that having folks listen to 8 different options is going to make it pretty
tough to choose, by the time you are on choice 8, can you remember what
choice 1 even sounded like? Maybe that's taken care of by repeat testing
and averaging it out, but the sample population then becomes an issue too,
I think- is it a big enough sample to be significant?
Whart,

I suppose that we could eliminate the total el cheapo one for a high $ one like the Oyaide or whatever the group that decides to "donate" such can agree on. I think it should be a set, i.e. both Outlet and AC plug. I'm leaving this one up to you, if you can get a group put together for a high $ one go for it I'll be happy to include it. By the time I'm be done with the test jig and and the outlets etc I'm a Grand into this one already.

The only one left to suggest a AC plug is for the Teslaplex from Synergistic Research, I bought it form Tweak Geek in Colorado - asked for a suggestion but never got one.

Albert Porter suggested a specific Hubbell AC Plug for his outlet, I'll search for that particular one tomorrow.

I'll also start a systems page for the test over the next week so anyone interested can see where we are at, as well as give suggestions and comments.

Good Listening

Peter