ACME 15a Cryo or FIM 880 for front end????

I've used the Acmes, but they were non-cryo versions, and in my electrical system (which seems inherently bright), I considered them too bright and a bit fatiguing for my taste. But I really like the high purity copper FIM 880, and in my system it was only somewhat dark while breaking in, but once broken in it becomes more dynamic with a "good" brightness that adds sparkle to music-- and the FIM becomes very very smooth on breakin. My outlet of choice though is the Hubbell Audiograde from The Cable Company @ 2/$25.

I don't mean to bash the Acmes though, and use them on the subs of my Vand. 5 sperakers. Also, the Acmes might be excellent in a somewhat dark sounding system. Good Luck. Craig

There are a gazillion threads on this subject. Search for Fim or acme and you will find a lot. I have FIM and like them very much. The problem as I see it is that many people evaluate these products out of the box. On any new additions to a system at least several hundred hours of breakin is required. Also when I read all these opinions no really details what else they have done on their system.
Finally I have a fairly educated ear in that I have rather high end systems and have been playing with this stuff for years, but many offering opinions have a far greater physical capability then I do in dintiguishing the difference these outlets make esspecially when it takes considerable breakin to really hear what one is looking for. It took me 400 plus hours to break my amps in and until that point I thought they were dogs and didn't know why I bought. At some point they jumped out. With the outlets I have noticed improvement over better grade outlets, but not on that magnitude. I always wonder what else the other guy has going on and how that would impact me. I have considerable acoustic treatment and dedicated balanced power to start. Maybe in my setting the outlets aren't going to be as dramatic as with someone else's setup. Anyway you will find a lot of opinions. Good Luck

Based on my experience and also another Audiogon member, LAK, I would suggest the following receptacles:

http://www.audioexcellenceaz.com/worldpower.htm

I have no experience with the Acme's, but do have extensive experience with the receptacle they are based on, the stock Pass and Seymour. Compared to the stock Hubbell 8300 that Alan Kafton cryo treats, the Pass and Seymour is much brighter and more "forward"; in my opinion the Hubbell is much more accurate.

The cryoed 5362 and 8300's that Alan sells are in another league altogether. It is hard to believe that a receptacle can have as much of an effect on sound quality as these do.
Also, he subjects them to a longer than normal, state of the art cryo treatment, and then cooks them on a cable cooker prior to shipment, which results in a very fast break-in time, about 4-5 days as opposed to 30-45 days. These are excellent receptacles and, in my opinion, very good value at $55-$60.

I have not heard the FIM, but LAK has, and has stated that his preference is for the World Power Hubbells, along with the Wattagate, but the Wattagate is substantially more money-about twice the price.

Also, if you are running a line conditioner, I would strongly suggest that you replace the units in your conditioner if at all possible. I constantly read posts from people who are using a decent receptacle at the wall and plugging a Monster (or any other, for that matter) conditioner into it and running the bulk of their system off it. This WILL NOT allow you to hear what your system is really capable of with a good quality receptacle.

I don’t mean to confuse your selection of outlets and originally I did not respond to this post because I have never heard the Acme outlet. I do own the FIM along with several other outlets.
As Hdm mentioned I (as Hdm has) have experimented with many outlets: FIM, Hubbell, Wattgate 381, PS Audio AV Grade (Hubbell), regular and cryogenically treated.
Basses upon sound characteristics in my system I preferred the Hubbell cryogenically treated outlets {$60-$65} (as stated by Hdm) and the Wattgate 381 {$120}. After cryogenic treatment the FIM sounded greatly improved as to the point where I use it in my system interchanging it with my other favorites (multiple dedicated lines).
In my opinion you get more bang for your buck by purchasing one of two different Hubbell’s that Alan sells that are doubled Cryo²™ treated. For added value, all 5362 and 8300 receptacles are conditioned for 4 days on the Cable Cooker™ prior to shipment. All deep cryogenic treatment performed is certified by Cryogenics International.
This would save a person from the extremely harsh break-in as described in the current ongoing post that can be read on Audiogon at: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ymisc&1034280535&openusid&zzGrandpoobah&4&5#Grandpoobah

I hope this is helpful to anyone interested in an outlet upgrade!