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Furutech GTX-D Rhodium NCF Outlet

Hi

I have been using a strip with Cary tube preamp and digital sources on a Furutech GTX-D Gold outlet and Pass power amp to a Maestro on the wall for a while now.

The combination seems decent but lately with some bass heavy recordings I have found the bass thick and boomy on extreme low bass notes. The mids and highs are fine and I tend to be sensitive to bright treble.

I took the preamp out and put it to the Maestro on the wall and this ameliorated the bass somewhat. Everything became fuller sounding but as a result, there was less low bass reverb (sounds contradictory?)

I suspect it is the GTX-D Gold. I am guessing if I replaced that with a GTX-D Rhodium NCF, it will tighten up the bass and hopefully eliminate the excessive low bass reverb. But in doing so, will the highs become too forward, hard or bright as Rhodium tends to be vs Gold?

Any experienced feedback from users who have tried the Maestro, GTX-D Gold and GTX-D Rhodium NCF is much appreciated.

Thanks
mikey8811
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
801 posts
 
mikey8811:
I think your description of Rhodium is spot on plus it often takes 500 hours to fully break in. I have compared the GTX-D Rhodium (nonNCF) to the Synergistic Research Blue outlet and I really like The Blue outlet. The sound is more precise without being hard or bright. The music has a relaxed flow but with wonderful details and a full bodied texture to individual notes. 
I also like the fact that the Blue outlet comes with a 30 return and during September there is a special that gives you a free Synergistic Research Blue fuse with the purchase of a Blue outlet.

I hope this is of some help.

David Pritchard
auxinput
1,538 posts
 

Yes.  Furutech gold-plated will be warm, with bass that is not as bight, but it does soften and roll-off the high frequencies.

Furutech rhodium will have deep tight powerful bass, but it will also have a lot of resolution and attack in the high frequencies.  If you don't like high frequencies then this may not be for you.

You could try davidpritchard's idea of the Synergistic BLUE outlet.  I have never tried this but it is possible that the BLUE could be smoother and more forgiving in the highs than the Furutech rhodium.

mikey8811 OP
194 posts
 
Thanks guys.

Will put the Blue on my shortlist - the 30 day return probably doesn't work for me as I am not in the US.

Has anyone tried and compared the Cardas 4181 outlet? Very little is spoken about it at all.

I am wondering because most of my power cords are Cardas Clear Beyond.


elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I recently purchased ten Furutech GTX-D Gold, and seven Furutech GTX-D NCF Rhodium duplex, over a period of two months to install  in my system (wall, extensions to system with six duplex on floor in boxes, plus all duplex in two power conditioners) (I actually have removed two gold and added two Rhodium as time went on)
I fully agree the Furutech Gold are warmer and slightly more 'congested' sound than the Rhodium. And that the Rhodium are a PITA during break in, which is LONG.. The Rhodium bring a tilt to the treble which is somewhat annoying during break in, and it comes and goes... Think all is well and the next day the tilt is back.(Some of the exaggerated experience I had may be due to adding in more of them as time went on, plus adding in a total of six Furutech AC plugs with Rhodium.. all over a two month long period. So My experience may be  more extreme than others with the Furutech Rhodium products.  But the Rhdium are totally worth it! I like the Rhdium for amp, from wall, and preamps. The Gold seem better for most sources.    
As for what positive they have done? CLARITY. My Magnepan 20.7 speakers sound for say, Rock vocals is as clear as listening via good hadphones now. Used to be I struggled to understand too many of the vocals. Now, clear and natural.  better attack, better leading edges of notes.....         
One other phenomenon I noticed is if I stick powercords with a brass plug, even one PC back into the system (think Wattgate basic plugs) I can hear a distortion in the sound, particularly in he upper midrange, a background with a sort of velvety haze behind the notes. As soon as I remove the brass plugged PC, the haze is gone.  (Wen I replaces the Wattgate with Furutech Rhodium, keeping the DH Labs wire, the haze went away)         
This goes to (all in theory all in my head to 'explain' the phenomenon.. True or not??? And it may only be the Wattgate plugs, and not 'all brass'?) Anyway, my 'theory' is since the Furutech have NO BRASS or bronze, (Furutech uses pure copper parts inside the Duplex, using a clever spring arrangement around the blades to maintain tension) SO with only pure copper, and no brass parts, a distortion hitherto unknown to me, has been exposed.So I am convinced (just on this one set of experiences) brass AC parts suck. And the only reason folks do not know, is they have never been without such parts! Once you get rid of the brass AC bits.. You will also know it is true ... Brass sucks.(I don't have experience with bronze AC parts.. so unsure about those.So right off I would say all you with $$$ duplex still made with brass.. sorry for your loss. hah hah hah... (Rub in it will you? and suddenly all those big buck duplex made from basic Duplex stock owners and maker are up in arms) Whoa put out this fire!...
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