New ACME outlet sounds worse

Although I am not a fan of the Pass & Seymour outlets I have used so far (I have a cryoed P&S 5262A breaking in at the moment on a chest freezer that I'll eventually try in the next few months) you really shouldn't make any judgement on that outlet for at least a month.

Might be break in. The fact that you have to turn it up a notch or two usually indicates less noise, therefore you're sensing you're not hearing as much-a good thing in this case. I'd hold off for a few weeks before you switch.

I don't use DeOxit, but if it says to wipe it off...you should.

My outlets took several weeks to sound best, however, they were dramactically better the first minute I played them...

You might want to try other brands, I went through 3 before I found what was best in my system...

My system went the opposite way after installing cryo'd ACME's. The noise floor was reduced in an immediately apparent way. I don't know what happened in your case. One audiophile I respect checked out a number of after-market outlets, and ACME was the best in his estimation. I am so pleased with my own results that I personally wouldn't bother trying another brand.

Check the connection to the outlet. You may have loose connections, reversed polarity or damaged wire ends. Overtightening the wire at the screw could damage the ends, or cause them to detach from the screw. If you used the quick-connects at the back of the outlet instead of the screws, that could do it also. The quick connects should never be used for #12 wire. Too high a voltage drop.

All this will cause a higher voltage drop - which would cause the symptoms you mention.

Thanks guys. I will examine my connections. I did tighten the screws pretty tightly. I will see if there is any damage from oevertightening. How do i check polarity? I moved one wire at a time fromthe old outlet to the new. So, unless the outlets are non-standard, they should be connected properly.