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

I have got myself in this outlet cover mess recently and decided why not try a solid mid sized brass cover the home depot sells for $4.99. There was a sticker on it that read pegasus. Why not brass. Is not brass good for resanance.

I am in the process of this and will keep posted on results.
freemand
albertporter's avatar
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
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 :^).
freemand OP
225 posts
 
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.
albertporter's avatar
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
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.
freemand OP
225 posts
 
Albertporter,
You sparked a thought in my mind.

You have mentioned about the drum head effect analogy. Being a drummer I know how significantly the drum sound changes by tightning and loosening the drum head. I am no scientist but I have an open mind cause theres so much I don't know. Out of everything there is to know I don't know even a half of a percent. In fact, theres probably no one on this planet that knows 1 percent of everything there is to know. So it's not fair for me to say that this can or can't make a difference....cause just don't know enough to say.

That being said, I am going to go back and trust my ears...thats all I can do!!!
jea48
4,668 posts
 
I found some very heavy cast brass covers at a second hand store years ago. they are all 3/16" to 1/4" thick in a lovely design. I use them in the living room with my stereo, but I NEVER put them in there to alter the sound. Lucky for me they are very nice loking, and what they do to the sound is obviously not actually hearable.

Elizabeth, at the time when you put the new heavy brass plates on your receptacles you would not have necessarily noticed a change in the sound from your system. You were not even thinking of the plates having anything to do with the sound from your system. Your were only concerned with the appearance of the covers. With just a little bit of your time you could check if the plates are indeed causing an effect on the sound from your system. Take just a few minutes and pull the brass plates and replace them with the regular plates you have in your home. Please post back with your findings.
Jim
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