AC Outlets

I would urge some caution in making broad sweeping generalizations based on the results. If, on the one hand, a group of listeners can detect differences in outlets, that demonstrates that under certain circumstances, the effects of outlets can be audible. It does not imply that all listeners will here differences under all circumstances. On the other hand, I'm not sure that failure to obtain a statistically significant result in the test means that it is impossible for such audible differences to be heard under any circumstance.
With respect to the test itself, If possible, I would prefer the listeners not hear the tests collectively. It is difficult to ensure people are not being influenced by others. I would proceed first with a quick A/B, (better, worse, no/little difference, then proceed with A/C. C/D, C/E, etc retaining the preferred choice for each A/B comparison. As one proceeds through the test, roll back into the A/B a rejected outlet to see if the perceived preference is retained.
Whart offers good comments about comparing outlets that are close. That would require more extended listening.
My experience would lead me to expect that there could be obvious problems with the cheap outlets, but perhaps less obvious differences between outlets prepared and marketed for audio use.

Peter, I would leave the cheap outlet in the test. In my case, there was an obvious problem with my new, $3.00 heavy duty Levitons. I am quite sure that most people would have heard the difference immediately. I think the thread has been about "Can a $50 outlet and a $3 outlet sound different." Not, "Can two $50 outlets sound different?"

I don't want to skew what people want tested but here's my offer- I'll put up
$50 bucks toward the purchase of some additional outlets -whichever they
are, I don't care, let the folks here pick em by consensus for the test. Send
me a PM Peter, or just go
to my media business website and email me from there: it is
flyingreptilemediagroup. Let the people decide what they want 'tested'- I
have no vested interest in the outcome, and those who know me here know
i'm not a shill for anybody, whether it's Peter (who I don't even think I've
chatted with before this thread), or any other manufacturer or dealer. (I do
know Albert and have bought stuff from him, but if you decide that the X
outlet kicks Albert's ass, so be it. ;)
And it may be that more folks want to see a battle royale between the
cheap or pretty cheap stuff and the 'super audiophile grade' stuff, just to
see if a standard part from the hardware store can live up to, or even beat,
the high priced spread.
I'll give some thought to some recordings that might be revealing but part of
it, aside from good quality recording, is simply that you know it well enough
that it 'becomes' a reference- -you know what to look for. Unfortunately,
once you've listened to the same record a million times for that purpose,
you begin to hate it! (The Records to Die From Syndrome a/k/a 'No
Stairway to Heaven' sign in the Wayne's World movie).
Glad to help with ideas if I can,
but I still hope we get some behavioral scientist types for methological
suggestions. I'm kinda of running around for the next week in Austin, so I'm
not sure how much I'll be on the board, but I'll try to stay plugged in. (sorry
for the bad pun, but one other issue- some of these outlets have different
coatings, don't they? Even from the same brand? So, what about that as a
factor? Don't mean to add to your headaches...).
Best,
bill hart

Hi Peter,

another relatively cheap, but said to be good sounding outlet is the maestro. It is used in an extremely expensive range of mains conditioner called Tripoint.

I think it is very important to try the outlets that are said to sound great.

The cheap non audiophile ones will most likely be much the same as each other. In my experience sounding metallic, shut in, and nasty in the treble for whatever reason when compared to good audiophile outlets.

Surely the point is to show why an audiophile would/should bother changing outlets? If some effort to audition "good" sounding ones is not put in we may miss the most important point. That point is to refine the various links in the chain to allow a hiend system to function at its best.

Personally I feel you need to have driven a great car to know why you would aspire to one.

Prepare yourself for an interesting time.

Do allow time to burn in the outlets. Some are said to sound quite bad initially.

Well first I also applaud Peter for his willingness to see if his beliefs actually hold true in application. I respect that a great deal (not that anyone cares!).

As has been mentioned, in my experience many of the cheapos, even to the plain hospital grade, sound very similar and without some pretty long exposure to familiar music may be harder to discern than the more specialized devices. maybe this is due to difference coatings (Rhodium etc)?

Another factor I think is important here is you may want to consider using the same connectors throughout. If not you then run the risk of hearing the connectors rather than the outlets as they also sound different. Even within brands they sound different and use different platings. Rhodium plugs on Rhodium outlets are going to sound different than Brass on Brass etc.

Many thanks for your time, efforts and financial investment. Look forward to following the process.