Outlet shoot out

Mike, I use the same dedicated room for my main HT and 2 channel listening. I have a front projector, and remove the screen and center channel out of the way when listening to two channel. The single ended inputs on my Classe Omicron are connected to my HT processor, and the balanced to a SF Line 3 preamp for two channel. I simply switch the selector on the Omicron to choose one or the other. All my gear is recessed into a 2x8 bump out with the outlets lined up behind the racks. It was fairly easy to unplug (all or some) my two channel components and plug them into the ACMEs for comparison. Each outlet has its own 20 amp breaker wired with 10 ga Romex. My main speakers are Thiel CS7.2s.

Hope that helps clarify how I was able to make such a direct comparison between the FIM and ACME.

Bob, I may be in denial on this one and wishing for something that won't happen. We'll see. I mentioned the ACME's superior coherent blend of lows/mids/highs since this is important to me as well, and the one area I find the FIM falls short. You're right, the bass is the culprit. As good as it is alone, it can sound disconnected and disproportionately large.

Tom, thanks for the explaination; makes perfect sense.

Tom, it isn't just the FIMs that lack coherency....Levitons are the worst about this followed by slot attachment P&S followed by the Hubbells...Don't know where the FIMs fit in here as haven't played with them.....Most folks won't hear it that way, but again my suggestion is to go with whatever works as all these outlets are cheap and easy solutions....

I guess it's just my own rig then, but break in of AC components hasn't really been very much of an issue here; most upgrade cords that I've used haven't changed very noticably when broken in, excepting the Virtual Dynamics Signature, which although already cryo'd did improve considerably over the first couple of weeks use.
This Wattagate 381 outlet has only been in use for 2 weeks now, and although it sounds fantastic from day one, it has either improved somewhat more over time or maybe it's me still getting accustomed to the overall sonic improvements. Over the past weekend I sat spellbound & glued to the sofa with remote controls in hand, not being able to stop myself from listening over several hours duration. This hasn't happened in over 4 years, so I know I'm finally getting closer to nirvana. If this gets any better over time I'll be all the happier still. It's as if this outlet has enhanced the effects of all the other tweaks already in place; it's finally all come together.
FYI: I use the Wattagate 381 outlet terminating a single 10awg solid copper spiral twisted dedicated line; at the source is a vintage household fusebox with a ceramic 30A edison base fuse.