2. tech-talk
  3. 136495-78903

Replacing generic RECEPTACLES

How important is it to replace your generic receptacles with audio grade receptacles . I already replaced my stock power cords to high end Shunyatas. Would it still be necessary to still change my generic receptacles to audio grade? 
tattooedtrackman
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
702 posts
 

i'm not sure what the regs are in the USA but in Canada the 15 and 20 amp outlets are different and you can not plug a 20 amp plug into a 15 amp receptacle as the prongs are different. 15 amp both prongs are vertical with the round ground prong bottom center. 20 amp have one prong vertical and the other horizontal and the ground bottom center. you can also get  locking receptacles and plugs that rotate to lock in place they are different again but maybe an interesting upgrade as they don't come loose  unless you rotate them.

to be honest just pulling your plugs and re-plugging them from time to time makes a difference. It cleans the contact area. I'm sure a lot of what people think they hear as a difference is in actual fact just a reseat of the plug making better contact when they pull them out to re install new upgraded plugs sockets etc.
 

elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
glennewdick, There are US duplex that accept both a 20 amp and a 15 amp plug blades, and they are very common. Plenty of discussions center on 'are 20 amp duplex legal on 15 amp lines'.. In the USA, by code, which is the legally binding rules for electricians (but not so much for audio hobbyists it seems..), just to clarify
And cleaning the blades also helps if they are just bare copper or silver. I find using a product I have around is excellent at taking off tarnish. Meguiars Scratch X is for automotive finishes, but it is great for polishing CDs, and the copper or silver or brass plug blades. It clears off the tarnish, and slightly polishes the metal.(I do think most audiophiles replacing IC and other wires move there plugs and connectors more than once every few yeas....LOL So that unplugging my not be as big a deal as one who never moves gear for years might think. The real test to HEAR if there is a difference you like... is to plug the old one back in, later. Is is as good? worse? BETTER? Generally if the old one is as good/better to your ears, return the new one for a refund. I would never keep something unless it really sounds better. And have returned multi thousand dollar items since they did NOT sound better.
inna
5,245 posts
 
How do you people deal with vibrating wires in the wall ? You think it's nothing ? There is an external vibration and vibration created by the current.
Just don't respond to pseudo-scientists and they'll give up. Everything makes a difference, only questions are to what degree, what exactly and if you can hear it.
I once polished the blades with Flitz, didn't hear a difference. Clean all connectors with Kontak once a year - hear a difference.
I must get that Furutech, gold I think. But then I will want to upgrade the power cord from the wall. Damn. The cord is quite good, by the way.
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
486 posts
 
They just fill the wall with magic pixie dust whilst making snide comments in public to each other about the new family that moved in down the street, and the vibrations of the wires mysteriously disappear.
dill
815 posts
 
Yep, that's it, don't you feel left out?
More to discover