The Great Cryo'd Outlet Test

Generic update.

It's now been 4 days since one of the outlets has been installed. I won't say which one I installed first.

But you know, it probably would have made sense to listen to outlet A first because outlet B is the one that is probably cryo'ed. But then again, that would have been exactly what Hdm was thinking when he labeled these, so he probably labeled the cryo'ed outlet A. But then Hdm just might think that the tester might think that too, therefore, he would have labeled the cryo-treated outlet B. But then again, if Hdm is deeper still, he would have ...,. I gave up on that one.

I mentioned in my last post that after about one hour of burn-in and 20 minutes of listening, I had noticed some very minor improvements.

By Monday evening(after 12-16 hours of burn-in), sonic improvements were fairly substantial. Especially in comparison to when the outlet was first installed last Saturday evening. And the benefits even appear to improve just a bit more over the last 48 hours.

This is quite surprising from an outlet that has supposedly been burned-in. I would not have expected this. However, I've always received the biggest sonic benefits from tweaking the amplifier's electrical over the other components. Since my amp is plugged into the lower outlet which perhaps had less usage because that is the outlet that came without the screws installed. I'm reaching... but that might explain the 12-16 hour (equipment powered on) burn-in time.

By no means am I implying that I must be using the cryo-treated outlet. It could be the non-cryo'ed outlet and yet it is still better than the FIM outlet it replaced. But I would have my doubts about that.

But the sonic improvements that I am hearing appear to be along the same lines as when I installed my cryo-treated IEC connector to my amplifier's line conditioner. Just not quite to the same degree.

In the next day or so, I will install the other outlet and I obviously will have to burn it in at least 48 hours before making any real determination can be made.

At this point the possibilities are at least narrowed down to one or more of the following:

o That Hdm's outlets could be identical (both cryo'ed or both not).
o That one of Hdm's outlets is clearly superior to the other.
o That at least one if not both of Hdm's outlets is clearly superior to the FIM outlet it replaced.

-IMO

Hi Stehno: I have no idea which one you're using, as I never labelled them A or B; it was Eldartford that did that. When you're done, though, I can tell you which is which based on a couple of distinguishing marks I placed on the cryoed outlet before shipping to Ed.

FWIW, the outlets that you have (Hubbell 8200's) are not my first choice (and are clearly no longer in use by me) because I feel the nickel plating adds a somewhat more "forward" sound and a very slight bit of zing or distortion, but many people still like this outlet, or its 20 amp version the 8300, over the non-nickel plated 5262/5362 that I am using now. Albert Porter's 8300's are somewhat unique for a hospital grade as they have unplated contacts as well. But compared with other receptacles with both plated and unplated contacts, the nickel plated Hubbells are still very smooth and refined.

It sounds like you may have the cryoed one in use; if you don't and can hear a difference when you install the 2nd one, you're really in for a treat.

Stehno...Don't you think it's more fun not to know which one is Cryo'd? Make your best guess, and then open the envelope! But don't get too excited...your odds are 50/50. We would need to get a couple of dozen more folk to play the game before the results would be meaningful.

Eldartford, I could think of better things to do than swap outlets in and out. :)

What got me excited was when I installed a cryo-ed IEC connector about 6 weeks ago and could not believe the improvements. Especially since I've had this cryo-ed IEC from jena labs laying around for over a year before I installed it. Obviously I did not think it would make any difference or I would have installed it much sooner.

It was shortly after that, that I stumbled upon this thread.

At this time I still know not which outlet I am using, but my hunch would be that it's the cryo'ed version.

Some older or lesser quality cds I listen to have been on the verge of sounding a bit tizzy in the cymbals as Hdm mentioned his experience here. But no such problem with the better recordings.

Had I known that these were nickel-plated and were 15 amp outlets (my amp is 20 amp) I probably would have passed on this test. I sold my nickel plated PS Audio Power Ports for the FIMS just over a year ago. With regard to the 15amp outlet, as Hdm must know by now, electricity is nothing to fool with.

But hey, I'm happy to participate.

Although I'm still curious as to why the need for an extended burn-in period with this first outlet.

-IMO

Glad you're having fun Stehno. Obviously, even though you have a 20 amp line for the amp, the power cord on it has a 15 amp male plug. As you are probably aware, the abilities and ratings on 15 amp and 20 amp receptacles (at least from all manufacturers I know of) are identical, so you are in no electrical danger. In fact if you are using a 15 amp male plug, the 15 amp Hubbells are unique in that they have different power contacts than the T-slotted 20 amp versions (the only manufacturer to do this that I have seen) which offers significantly more contact area on the neutral side of the male plug than that which would be obtained with a 20 amp version. So for most audiophiles (if the contact on the neutral side makes a difference) the 15 amp receptacle may well be the superior version.

FWIW, in my opinion, the stock Hubbell 8200/8300's with nickel plating would eat the PS Audio for lunch, as the layer upon layer of nickel that PS Audio supposedly adds should be detrimental to the sound, not positive. As I've stated here before, I find the Hubbell 5262/5362 with straight brass contacts to be more natural sounding and relaxed than the 8200 you have right now, but it's clearly a subjective thing. Although I've never tried the FIM, the 8200's you have right now, even in stock non-cryoed form are an excellent receptacle-you may even be listening to the non-cryoed one!