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High performance electric outlets

I just moved into an apartment which has the weakest and most feeble outlets I have ever seen. There seems to be so much confusion and controversy about this subject that I have no idea where to start.

My apartment has the electric panel in the pantry closet, so I will be able to draw 220V for my ONEAC 3000W isolation transformer. The transformer has two 110V outlets and feeds all my system. I would also need two or three more outlets in a power strip next to my equipment.

Should I just get something like two of those orange Leviton Hospital Grade outlets from Home Depot ($11.00 each) to replace the ones in the isolation transformer or is it really worth to go the 'audio grade' route? If so, how can I make an educated decision?
psychicanimal
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Sean, I believe the url is: http://www.danielwoodhead.com/

-John
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Sean, oops. This is what I was informed by one who usually does some pretty thorough homework prior to making any audio purchase.

> Get a Woodhead extra heavy duty industrial 20
> amp outlet, as far as I can tell, it is
> IDENTICAL to the FIM outlet at 1/3 the cost.
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
Looks like the ivory hospital grade 20-amp duplex from Woodhead (85362DWI) is about $20 accoridng to the site and downloadable price list.
psychicanimal OP
1,738 posts
 
I know Artistic Audio wants to sell...and they're using their business name (wich is perfectly honest). What I want to know is what they're basing their opinions on so that we, as potential customers can make educated decisions.

Psychicanimal *is* in the market for outlets. In fact, I just ordered a "B Stock" PS Audio Juice Bar from Jeff's Sound Values this afternoon.

I am in an excellent position to instantly A/B outlets. My 3000W ONEAC isolation transformer has separate feeds for its two 110 outlets (it's 220V in). My system is getting to be revealling enough so that my listening tests will be useful to a lot of people. Once my Swans M1 come back from MODWRIGHT I will start working on testing different outlets and sharing my findings.

I will welcome if anyone wants to send me outlets for comparisons (either from dealers or particulars).

Regards,

P/A
mshan
60 posts
 
I purchased a FIM 880 outlet based on a recommendation in my dealer's newsletter.

In that newsletter, he stated that FIM went to a major outlet manufacturer (presumably Woodhead) and asked what they could do to improve their outlet if cost was no object. Their response (copied directly from the newsletter) was:

- greater contact pressure
- increased contact surface area
- higher tolerances throughout
- less resonant housing
- higher copper-content mating surfaces

So, presumably the FIM 880 is a custom version of the previously mentioned Woodhead design manufactured to FIM's specs.

P. S.- has anyone had this outlet cryogenically treated? If so, can you elaborate on any audible changes that you noted? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
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