Good outlet for amplifiers

@peter_s  I hear you… But I would also have to construct my own cables in that case. I’m using power cables that have plugs on them.

Your attempting to improve the 'weak link' which is the connection of the PLUG its self.

None of these connection changes will give you more power/high voltage or cleaner electricity or less noise. The only reason for upgraded outlets is for reliability concerns.

Whether ANY of the solutions will give you an audible improvement is doubtful but if you want the absolute best, most reliable connection available eliminate the plug altogether.

Good luck!

There is nothing in NEC code that says the ground has to be installed up or down. The AHJ (Authority having Jurisdiction) in a state can require it to be up or down. In new construction the electrical section in the spec book can require the grounds to be up or down. A hospital project manager can just say one day I want them up.

For years the majority of outlets installed in my area in Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities were down.

The paper clip one was used for the reason in hospitals and healthcare facilities in my area. Story goes, a desk against a wall. Outlet below desk. A paper clip is knocked off from the back of the desk. A cord and plug is not tightly plugged all the way into the outlet. Paper clip falls and lands across the Hot and Neutral blades of the plug. Result, fireworks... What are the odds???

@erik_squires explanation is more the reasoning for the ground up. The stainless steel plate falls off and lands, in most cases, on the plug body and that's where it sets until,... But sometimes if the plug is out a little bit it hits the plug blades. Fireworks!!! Breaker trips right? Not always.

As for the 6/32 trim screw that holds on the plate working loose ??? Well the problem, it was not tight. Not even snug. Whose to blame? The Painter.

The painter? The painter pulls the plates and is responsible to put them back on.

To be clear, there’s nothing good about an outlet plate, especially a metal one coming loose and at best putting the ground up or down is a prayer to the angels at best.

The specialized sockets in a hospital have red plates. The pos- and neg- blades on equipment plugs are usually thicker than what you usually see and broad, so the fit is tight.  I've never seen one of those things get loose. This is making me think maybe I should rework what I have my setup plugged into, because the fit is not always that good. 

@peter_s said:

@jea48 That’s the word I was looking for. "Isolated Ground". Thank you! Can any/all of the recommendations above be wired as isolated ground? I think this is the case if one uses a plastic box for the outlets, or uses plastic washers and screws to attach to a metal box. Agreed???

Isolated ground? Therein an insulated green wire, Equipment Grounding Conductor, EGC, that is used for the safety equipment ground contact on an IG, (Isolated Ground) type receptacle. The green insulated, isolated, EGC is ran in the same raceway or cable as the branch circuit wiring current carrying conductors to the electrical panel the branch circuit is fed from? Is that what you mean?

Not an outdoors dedicated driven ground rod?

Here is an example of a Hubbell IG Hospital Grade duplex receptacle.

Note the IG EGC  green color ground screw and contacts are insulated, isolated, from the supporting back strap and the center 6/32 threaded hub on the front of the outlet that holds on the wall cover plate.

What is the branch circuit wiring ran in? Conduit? Or a Cable like Romex?