brass outlet covers...anyone try them? Sound good

>>I also then messed with the position of the center screw. Having it really tight was like taking the air out of the music. Having it really loose (sticking out slightly) seem to have a bit loss in the focus. Having it tighted just by hand so it is just snug proved to be the winner.<<

To quote John McEnroe, "You can't be serious".

I hope this is a joke but if it's not please list your other system components in order to determine what quality level one needs to attain so that duplex covers enter the tweak realm.

So, depending on how close your speakers are, room construction, type of AC outlet and overall system performance it could make a nice improvement in sound when you swap out the cover.

A 2 3/4" by 4 1/2" electrical cover of surface area 12 square inches in an average 16 by 12 by 8 ft room with total surface area of roughly 120,000 square inches.

This makes less than 1 hundredth of 1 percent of the surface area???

Surely, in order to make a "nice improvement in sound" then

1) the cover would need to be totally loose and rattling terribly - unusual but possible.
2) An extremely stiff power lead connected to a humming device (transformer or shaver or something like that) - again unusual
3) next to one's ears (listening position on the floor near a wall) - again unusual

I can't see that being simply close to a speaker would be enough. I also can't see how changing the cover material could be possibly be enough to be audible under ordinary circumstances.

Have I experimented like Freemand? No....but come on guys! It ain't April the 1st is it?

Audiofell, you're not forced to spend the .69 cents, I would not worry about it if it offends you. I still think it's possible to hear the drum effect of an outlet cover and in any case, it's a harmless experiment that forces the user to pay attention to their AC connection.

I think there should also be discussions about cleaning RCA connectors, AC blade connectors and speaker spades (or banana) too. Cleaning all of these are audible and always an improvement.

Many times I've gone through my system, doing nothing more than "housekeeping" cleaning of connectors and gotten significant improvement.

In fact, I think sometimes audiophiles doing equipment testing, plugging and unplugging tubes, cables or AC connections the new piece of equipment gets a slight advantage because that connection is improved in the process.

As Neil Young says "Rust Never Sleeps," (neither does oxidation :^).

tboooe,
Yes, the covers that sit over the ac outlet.

My guess when I tightened the screw very tight it had something to do with the outlet and cover extreamly tight up against the wall, thus all the vibrations are much more able to effect and conduct through to the outlet. When its loose the vibrations are not able to conduct from the wall to the outlet as easily. Just a guess???? We do know that ac has a lot to do with our systems so I am not surprised

When the screw was really tight is when it made it much worse.

Having it real loose was another thing. It is close or maybe upon further review (copyright...NFL) it is not much different. I do know that having it really tight to just snug is a noticable difference.

Regardless of the amount of area of the cover, it constitutes a direct vibration pathway to the electrical connection between the male and female AC circuit.

In fact, the AC connection would be better if it were a crimped "gas tight" fit or soldered to eliminate the friction fit, but then it would be a pain to connect and disconnect.

Have none of you never experienced the benefit of reducing the connection strain on a RCA plug, damped a connection (or chassis) with a damper or noticed a tighter AC connection improved bass and reduced distortion?

The idea is the same but in miniature. I'm not saying the outlet cover is a big deal, I did not begin this thread nor is it a subject I would have chosen for a thread topic.

HOWEVER, since it's now on the table because Freemand opened that can of worms, I see no harm in encouraging Audiogon members to experiment with the cheapest of cheap tweaks and consider cleaning up their connections at the same time.

If this was a $100.00 deal I would be the first to cry foul, but it's not and there are no motives on behalf of the Freemand to make money or defraud anyone. It's a harmless test that could result in an improvement in sound. If you don't believe in the cover, at least clean the connections, I think you will be surprised at the change and that is FREE.

Hopefully "free" is enough cheaper than .69 cents to not garner criticism as a subject for tweaking.