The Great Cryo'd Outlet Test

Maxgain, I would tend to agree with your statements. I only came across this thread earlier today and without careful reading it seemed as though some overly complicated 'A/B'ing was about to occur.

With my little test case, I have three Foundation Research LC-1 and LC-2 passive in-line power conditioners. One for each component. Each with a Hubbell IEC connector (LC-2 has a 20amp IEC Hubbell).

I simply replaced the stock 20amp Hubbell IEC with a Jena Labs 20amp cryo-treated Hubbell IEC two. Took about 20 minutes to install. I noticed a bit of improvement immediately. However, within about 20 hours of burn-in time the performance gains became quite substantial especially in the higher frequencies. The cymbals just took on their own air and as if to become completely(?) seperated from any associated percussions.

This $80 mod was surprisingly far above barely audible sonic improvements.

-IMO

Stehno

The prior thread that led to this point where Ed is keeping us all on the edge of our seats he gives us the 'ol thumbs up or down, was deleted by AudioGon for some reason.

I am just a curious observer.

If you are interested in my observations, mind you, comparing Porter Port Cryo Hubbell's to junk contractor Levitons you can read it in "Albert Porter only needs 50".

I maintain a very slowly evolving and stable system. I am very familiar with it's sound, and thus it makes a great test bed for new set up tools and tweeks.

Thanks for the update, Maxgain. BTW, nice system and clean install you have there.

-IMO

Ed, your credibility will wither away if the results aren't what the believers expect them to be; you will thus be labeled resident doubting "Thomas" :)

There is a certain characteristic I immediately notice with every component/part in the system that has been cryoed. You should readily pick up on this, but my guess is its something that can't be measured, too bad you'll just have to trust your ears on this one. I look forward to your results and impressions.

Maxgain...As a "scientist" whose specialty has been the design of tests for complex military electromechanical equipment (missile guidance systems) I am really anxious to do a fair and objective evaluation. This is to satisfy MYSELF. To hell with what anyone else thinks, although it would be nice if they agree.

I would think that differences would be most clearly heard in a simple system, and my rig does not fit that description.
It is multichannel
Fronts (three MG1.6) are biamped with 3 subwoofers systems.
Each subwoofer system has two drivers, each with their own amp.
Rears are Madisound Odin speakers, driven (at the moment) by Kenwood LO7M monoblocks.

Using this equipment, and a range of other stuff (which audiophiles tend to accumulate) eg: Dynaudio speakers, B&W speakers, Adcom amps...) I can put together several straightforward stereo systems, covering a variety of equipment types. For example, we will look at digital amps as well as conventional ones. Sorry, no tubes. Each system will be compared using the cryo'd outlet and the identical non-cryo'd outlet, that I have mounted side by side in a box. I will also try to make some electrical measurements, but I don't know if my home test equipment is good enough.

I do have a second system, for HT, a Panasonic SA-XR25 digital receiver and some reasonable inwall speakers. I can easily plug this into the Cryo'd outlet and see what happens. I will try it, but I don't think that this system is good enough to resolve any small improvement.