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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
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mike1diver
51 posts
 
Great post, guys. You definitely have me interested in upgrading.
I was obviously asleep for the last post, so could someone give me a website for the Wattgate 381, again.
Thanks,
Mike
speakerdude2000
44 posts
 
Hdm: I think I will give that a try. Thank you, John
mburns92's avatar
mburns92
37 posts
 
Fbi,

I am doing exactly what you describe, running a dedicated 12 ga. line, terminated with a Marinco IEC plug, powering a PS Audio P300. Another identical dedicated line feeds a PS Audio 15 amp high current Ultimate Outlet. I have my Martin Logan speakers, pre-amp and CD player plugged into the P300, and 2 amps plugged into the UO.

I never tried to use an outlet between the dedicated lines and the PS Audio equipment, so I can't give you any comparison there. However, I did have everything powered up via the same PS Audio equipment plugged into a standard wall outlet, minus the dedicated lines, and there were obvious differences with the addition of the dedicated lines. (Specifically, greater bass extension, more open soundstage) I suspect that it was a combination of the addition of the dedicated lines, and the elimination of the connection points required for outlet in the circuit.

I can't see that there could be any (sonic) advantage to adding an outlet if given the option to directly connect a dedicated line to a power conditioner or component. However, I agree that it probably doesn't conform with code. I don't think it is really a safety issue in my house, since I don't have any children around who might try to stick an energized IEC plug in their mouth (or any other orefice).

And.....since this thread started with a discussion of Wattgate receptacles, does anyone have experience with the Wattgate IEC connectors? I am wondering if this might be a worthwile upgrade at the junction of the dedicated lines and PS Audio gear.

Thanks,
Mike
wehamilton
65 posts
 
Speakerdude, I have the Jena Labs outlet and could recommend it without reservations. In reaching that conclusion, I have found that outlets are just as system dependent as any other component.

I had the FIM 880 (gold plated) and as it broke in it became very harsh and bright for my SS system. I finally took it out and replaced it with a PS Audio Power Port and everything got smoother and more musical. I then had the FIM cryo'd by Jena Labs, and also bought one of their cryo'd sockets. I sold the FIM to my friend who uses Cary tube equipment and he's very happy with it. The cryo treatment, if done properly is really a noticable improvement. I had a pair of interconnects cryo'd by Jena Labs also and was very pleased with their performance (more weight, lower noise floor, less harsh).

Bottom line, I think the PS Audio outlet would work for anybody, but the Jena Labs is better. I would only recommend the FIM for a tube system, despite the many endorsements it received on A'gon (which is why I bought it in the first place).
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lak OP
4,670 posts
 
Hey Sugarbrie, how close are you to Friendsville in Maryland? I’m there occasionally kayaking on the Upper Youghiogheny River. Sugarbrie + Rives + Lak = Drinks!
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