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New dedicated line & outlets sound worse, not better- HELP!

About 3 weeks ago I installed a new dedicated power line from my breaker box to the outlets for my stereo set-up.  I used 10 gauge Romex, a new breaker in the panel, and also installed two new Porter Port cryo'd outlets.

My system is comprised of the following:
Gallo Strada speakers
M&K MX-80 sub
Parasound A23 amp
Consonance Cyber 222 line stage pre
MHDT Stockholm 2 DAC
Audio Philleo converter & Pure Power module
Clear Day double shotgun speaker cables
Silnote Epirus USB cable
Silnote Morpheus IC from DAC
Audience PowerChord from DAC
spiked maple stands for pre and amp

So my concern is that my system sounded just about perfect prior to the installation of the dedicated line and outlets- very clean, open, and detailed, yet also a musical and relaxed sounding. I figured the new dedicated line and outlets would just bring more of all of the good things I was hearing.

Instead, following it's installation, everything sounds a bit edgy and fatiguing to my ears. Soundstage depth and separation are improved, as well as bandwidth, but I literally cannot listen for more than 30 minutes before I get irritated. The treble seems too aggressive, which I'm very sensitive to. And there seems to be a slight veil over everything- just not as open as before.
Do I need to just be patient with break-in of the line and outlets? I've heard it can take a month or more for things to settle down. What are others experience after installing a new line and/or outlets?
Any insights or possible issues I might have overlooked are much appreciated!
Lincoln
lincnabby
jea48
2,944 posts
 

I did not comment on selection of the Porter Ports - they are cryod Hubbell hospital outlets. Let’s let lincnabby burn them in first. The Hubbell outlets are brass and in my experience, brass elements tend to be on the sterile side and have a little bit of shouty effect in the highs.

Not from my experience. Of course it may depend on the audio equipment the receptacle is feeding.

From my experience the Hubbell Extra Heavy Duty Industrial Series HBL5262 (15 amp) and 5362 (20 amp) duplex receptacle is slightly on the warm side of neutral.

http://www.hubbell-wiring.com/press/catalog/a.pdf

See page A-12


As for the Hubbell duplex receptacle Albert Porter uses for his Porter Port, I remember reading in the past, he pays Hubbell to mix parts of hospital grade and HBL5262/5362 Extra Heavy Duty to build his outlets. I am not sure if he continued the practice or not. Special order can be expensive.

I have not been able to find an ad on Agon of Albert’s Porter Ports to check what the outlets are now.

Albert Porter’s old style cryo’d Porter Ports were the old stock Hubbell slim/Compact 8300H Hospital Grade 20 amp duplex receptacle. Back strap is non plated brass as well as the contacts, non plated brass. The sound was pretty much neutral. Hubbell no longer makes the 8200H/8300H hospital grade duplex receptacle in non plated contact and back strap.

Example of the old stock slim/Compact HBL8300H Hospital Grade duplex receptacle:

http://www.jzsupplies.com/lot-of-2-hubbell-hbl8300h-i5029065/

//

Here is another older, I believe, Hubbell catalog.

http://www.hubbellcatalog.com/wiring/catalogpages/H5254.pdf

.

jea48
2,944 posts
 

I just checked the Agon Classified ads and found Albert Porter has just recently listed his Porter Ports again.


Quote from ad:

Hubbell now manufactures the Hospital grade 8300 with magnetic steel back strap and galvanized plating. I have Hubbell hospital grade interior parts, unplated in the heavy duty 5362 body with non magnetic, brass back strap. Some are IG and some standard, ask if it matters to you.

Sound in my system is identical and available in original Ivory and white with black and gray frequently in stock and always available special order.

These are Hubbell rated for 20 amp and a perfect replacement for both 15 amp and 20 amp outlets. These upgrade both the quality and connection of your electrical.

This are a special order un- plated version. Other outlets that have plated connectors (Nickel, Silver or Tin), are designed to hold up in harsh chemical and / or oxygen rich environments. This is not only unnecessary for our audio systems, it harms the quality of sound.

.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/ac-distribution-porter-port-porter-ports-outlets-cryo-various-colo...


.

knghifi
1,667 posts
 
jea482,152 posts09-28-2016 12:21am

I would suggest trying a Synergistic Research Black A/C wall outlet with your new circuit.

The outlet looks like it is made by Pass & Seymour.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/Pass-Seymour-Legrand-20-Amp-125-Volt-Black-Indoor-Duplex-Wall-Tamper-Resista...


Is the back strap made from galvanized Steel on the Synergistic Black AC outlet?

It sure looks like galvanized steel.

http://highend-electronics.com/products/synergistic-research-black-uef-duplex-receptacle

I THINK you're correct.


milpai's avatar
milpai
1,341 posts
 
Hope your 2 dedicated lines are on 2 separate phase on the main box. Not sure if being on the same phase will cause your system to sound "brittle". But might have "hum" in your system.
lincnabby OP
43 posts
 
Thanks again for feedback fellas.
I've used Porter Ports before and like their sound once broken in. I don't have the budget for the expensive outlets, and really doubt the extra coin is worth it.
And FYI, Albert has his own website, "Porterhouse Audio." besides his ads here on A'gon.
And I should mention that I used a silver paste/grease on all of the ends of the Romex 10awg line. Recommended by a forum I read. I used it quite sparingly. I had also considered cryo treating the entire spool of Romex at a local cryo treatment place here in Tucson, but resisted getting that crazy.
Finally, for everyone's further knowledge, I only ran one (1) dedicated line, as the run is about 100 linear feet from my breaker box. Some might consider this a cardinal sin, but I used 10awg jumper wire and linked two of the Porter Port duplexes together inside one 4 gang plastic box.
Perhaps this was less than ideal for SQ?
And to finish everything off I installed nylon faceplates instead of standard plastic per Albert Porter's recommendation. I'm okay with that versus the $250 carbon fiber plates some hucksters sell to us audiophools.  I love my tunes, but still trying to hang onto some semblance of sanity!

I'm really enjoying all of the advice and suggestions, and for the record, the edginess of the sound has dissipated and the veil is beginning to lift somewhat... this after another 60 hours of the Parasound amp and fans running continually on the new outlets.

I'll update again in another week or so, but I'm feeling confident the ultimate end result will be worth the trouble of installing the new line.

Happy listening,
Linc "lincnabby"


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