Isolated Ground Outlets Hosp Grade vs Audiophile

PS Audio Power Ports are isolated ground. I haven't tried them so I can't say if they're better than the Hubbell I/G's that I installed in my former residence (my system was dead quiet). My opinion is that the isolated ground circuit will provide benefits on a greater scale than between the name brand of (quality) receptacles. The isolated ground circuit can cut down a lot of RF interference noise from getting into your system - something that no receptacle can do.

Right now I have moved to a house where I can build a 30 by 16 listening room. It's a down to the studs gut job with acoustical and structural redesign. I am redoing the entire house electrical system and running the audio circuits in metallic tubing to metal receptacle boxes in a twisted pair/concentric ground configuration. The circuits are definitely going to be isolated grounds and will purchase the best I/G receptacles I can find; that's my priority - I/G first, name brand second.

In my opinion the IsoClean duplex is clearly the best. It is expensive, however, $180.

I use PS Audio Power Ports and are very happy with them and as Gs5556 mentions I believe they are isolated ground. I have used Pass & Seymore Hospital Grade in the past and feel they are adequate as well.

Chuck

Since you have metal conduit which is bonded to the electrical system ground, and boxes that are also metal and bonded; you definitely need isolated ground receptacles. These are useless in plastic boxes. The only difference between a regular receptacle and iso. ground is that the device yoke in not continuous with the grounding terminal; meaning that your yoke and box cover are not bonded. I don't think much noise enters the system through device yokes, but a large metal outlet cover could possible transfer some noise. The NEC requires that all metal enclosures be grounded so this is unavoidable. Unfortunately grounding in itself is not a remedy for noise because the stray voltages see it as impedence causing current to flow.

Peter, Furutech FP-15A receptacles are isolated ground. I've found them to be better than the non-audiophile IG brands. Also, the contact material thickness in the Furutechs is 1.2mm versus 0.8mm in the other brands.