What kind of outlet wall plate do yo use?


I was reading a post over on AA last week. The post was about outlet wall plates, non magnetic stainless steel wall plates.

I had seen these posts in the past on AA but always passed them over never really reading them. This time I took the time to read the post and reponses to it.

To cut to the chase I went out and found some non magnetic stainless steel outlet plates at a lumber yard. I must stop here and tell you I was a bit skeptical that I would hear any difference in sound from my system.

I pulled the plastic plates from my 3 dedicated duplex outlets and installed the ss plates. I plugged the equipment back in and turned on the system. I let it warm up for about a half hour and then sat down for a listen.

The first CD I listened to was Diana Krall, "The Girl in The Other Room." I could hear a difference right off, but not for the better. Sound stage was small, Krall's piano sounded like a blanket had been thrown over it. The air had been let out of the music.
I listened to a few other CDs with the same results.

I then carefully pulled the ss plates from the outlets for the preamp and the power amp. Just sliding them down on the cords out of the way. I sat back down for a listen. Every thing was back as it was before I had installed the ss plates.

I should mention here my preamp is a Sonic Frontiers line-1, and the power amp is an Audio Research VT50.
The three 20 amp branch circuits are installed in EMT conduit. The rough-in boxes are 4"x4" 2 1/8" deep with a single gang raised device cover for the sheetrock wall and electrical outlet mounting. Wire is #10 awg solid THHN copper. Recepts Leviton 20A Hosp Grade. Branch circuit breakers single pole Square D OQ. Branch circuits breakers installed on the same line in the panel. Distance from electrical panel less than 25ft.

I still was puzzled why there was any difference in sound at all. I then, just for the hell of it, installed two leviton stainless steel plates. One for the power amp outlet and the other for the preamp outlet. A magnet will stick to the leviton plates like gorilla glue...

I plugged the gear back in, turned on the system and let it warm up for about a half hour or so. I then sat down for a listen. The sound, not bad. Remember this is the electrical wall outlet plate. First impressions the sound is darker, vocals smoother, more body, fuller.

I will compare the leviton ss plate to the plastic plate later after my ears have had a chance to adjust to this new sound.

Have any of you guys experimented with the wall outlet cover plates?
Why is there a difference in sound? When I first read the post I thought maybe it was due to the rigidity effect the plate was placing on the electrical outlet. Was it working as a damper of sorts. I mean a non magnetic ss cover plate verses a plastic plate.
Why did the non magnetic ss plate degrade the sound of my system?
With the Leviton ss plates are they providing shielding, in effect a Faraday cage.

By the way I asked the person, who posted the thread, why the plate changed the sound on his system. Some of those tweakers can be quite defensive when you question them. Though he was not others were.
I also should mention the member is using solid state gear.

Jim

jea48
I can't believe I read throuh all of this! The bottom line on wall plates is the best ones for audio are made of WOOD {8~ ) The best wood ones you can get are made of TEAK and can be purchased at yatch supply houses for about $25.00. How's that for HI-End???
>>"When did they move the Brooklyn Bridge to Arizona?"<<
>>>>>>

I think you have your bridges mixed up. They moved the London bridge to Arizona.....
Wood ?? You yacht to be kidding Phil.

Next thing you know they’re gonna be making speakers out of wood.

And Philztops, they tried to sell me that there Brooklyn Bridge but I was out of cash. I spent my last $1.29 on a Nylon outlet cover.

Frankly ,I don't know how any audiophile can be so reckless as to spend a $1.29 for a cover, unless maybe theirs is cracked, or dirty, or could look a bit nicer or maybe sound better.

But who cares? It's SNAKE OIL and damn expensive snake oil at $1.29 !
crazy you say ...

I actually went as far as to eliminate the cover and the outlets altogether. I'm hardwired from the fusebox to the component . There is a huge difference.All of them...with seperate fuses for each component.
12-19-05: Onhwy61
The best outlet plate is no outlet plate. An outlet plate can only add distortion, eliminate it if you can. This tweak cost absolutely $0.00. Be bold, expose your outlets and join the coverless revolution.

YES SIR.... The thing to do is loosen the outlet and let it hang.If you don't want that extreme..then loosen the screws just a bit.No a/b listening.....that's wrong. Let it play for about 24 hours with the volume on low.Actually play while you sleep (repeat). Not 2 hour warm up.