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Holy SnickerDoodles Read This

Over the weekend I was reading a post by Tok2000 titled “power cables…the debate continues” http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?fcabl&1032301269&read&keyw&zzwattgate
Bob bundus mentioned the Wattgate 381 receptacle. Other members mentioned websites to purchase it from. Thank you Sugarbrie for your recommendation of the site you suggested. If we ever meet in person I owe you a few drinks. Tubegroover, I know it’s a lot of money but you might have missed the boat on this one depending upon the Sonics/personality of your/all of our systems. NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY: On my four dedicated power lines I use, Hubbell hospital grade (I forget the # but it’s the one that’s talked about). After one of our distinguished members spoke highly of the FIM 880, I purchased one. This past Sunday I ordered on line a Wattgate 381. It arrived today; I installed it and plugged my power conditioner into it, (which is presently powering everything). All I can say is the Wattgate 381 made “bitches” out of the Hubbell and Fim 880 outlets I have used. I would like to try the Acme Silver-plated cryo that Fiddler spoke of, however I’m tired of spending money. If anyone has a Acme Silver – plated cryo (an Audiogoner or dealer) that I could demo and return to you please let me know, I’ll post the findings on Audiogon, Wattgate v. Acme.
Here’s what I heard: All 12 of the well recorded CD’s I listened to (that I use for demo comparison purposes) sounded as if the volume had been turned up one or two clicks. There was more detail in the lows, mids and highs. I heard a sweeter timbre and back round accompaniment I had never heard before. The sound was not harsh, and the bass was bigger and deeper. Sorry for being so wordy, buy the way I picked it up on sale off the Internet for $100. Worth every penny in my mind. Anybody want to purchase some used Hubbell’s?
Associated equipment Componentry
First Sound Presence Audio Linestage I
Wadia Transport #20
Dodson Audio Model DA-217 MK II D
Cary 2A3 Monoblocks that sit upon SP 004 Sistrum Platforms including three direct coupled Audio Points
Equi=Tech 2Q Power Balancer
Soliloquy SM-2A3 Speakers and the Soliloquy speaker stands filled with Sistrum Micro-Bearing steel fill
Bybee Quantum speaker filters
Bybee Quantum Force – single ended Interconnect Filters
Pure Note Epsilon Reference Speaker Cables
Pure Note Epsilon Reference Interconnects
Purist Proteus Digital Cable
Purist Proteus 20 Amp Power Cord
BMI Whale Elite MK I Power Cord
BMI Whale Elite MK II Power Cords
BMI Shark Power Cord
Shunyata, Black Mamba
Audio Points under all componenty
Salamander Archetype 5.0 with Mega-spikes
Dedicated 20 Amp circuits with Wattgate 381and FIM #880 outlets
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xlak
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
Yo Larry - glad that you liked the Wattgate; sure made a believer out of me!
I haven't tried a LOT of different outlets, but I have used the Hubbel as mentioned & then an industrial grade Leviton. When I noticed that the Wattgate is also made by Leviton, I thought it would make an interesting comparison so I bought a 381 just to try it. My other outlets have been long since forgotten - they sound like junk.
speakerdude2000
44 posts
 
Has anyone tried the Jena labs?
John
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Well Lak, I believe you. Actually when Bob Bundus compared it to a 10k component upgrade, THAT really caught my attention. I recently did a cryo tube upgrade at 150.00 that was similarly dumbfounding in exactly the areas you described, sounds louder, more dynamic, resolving of low level detail across the board and an increase in stage depth and width and just amazing image focus all resulting in greater realism of recordings. I will certainly try one out and post my results. Thanks for the update and thread.

Will
hdm
1,062 posts
 
John: I have not used the Jena Labs, but do use exactly the same receptacle that is sold by Alan Kafton at Audio Excellence for $55 (about half the price of the Jena). I shouldn't say exactly, because Audio Excellence apparently subjects the receptacles to a double cryo treatment. I have no experience with the Wattgate, but do have experience with a number of other stock receptacles, including the Hubbell hospital grade 8200/8300's, which were the best stock receptacles that I used. The cryoed Hubbells are in a totally different league than the stock units, and I submitted a review of one that is in the review section here. I actually just received 2 more yesterday which I slotted into my line conditioner, and they are pretty spectacular for $55. I am actually very cheap when it comes to audio and never in a million years would I think I'd be recommending a $55 receptacle, but it is, as Bob says, just like a component upgrade and very much worth the expense!
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Hey Lak, you are very welcome! If you're in Maryland or DC sometime, we can have that drink. Thanks! Rives is nearby also. I moved into a new house (new to me) recently and have not gotten around to playing with the wiring here yet. The prior owner put dimmer switches everywhere, which I need to remove. They are noisy.
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