Upgrading wall outlets

But what, exactly, constitues this "unreliability" of high end audio power supplies that you mention? And how would simlpy changing a household power outlet cause a significant change to the sound (via a change in output to the speakers) from said high end audio equipment?

There is no exact answer but many designs are less than adequate and response drifts both over time and due to sensitivity to operating temperature. These design issues create the mystique of burn in and and keeping equipment always on or warmed up. It is possible to design equipment to minimize these issues but that would mean some folks dismiss the gear as "unresolving".

On the outlet side - the countless number of ground loop issues due to poor design, equipment incompatibility and the wide use of RCA (unbalanced) alone explains why unplugging and plugging something back in will often change the response.

In my philosophy, when equipment performs unreliably you should change it. Whilst others see differences in performance as a sure sign that the gear has resolving power. Sales people will tend to propagate the opposing philosophy to what I hold - naturally, rather than admit that something performs a little inadequately (and perhaps take it back) they suggest instead that the buyer consider to purchase an expensive power cord or upgrade the home wiring because the gear is so resolving it requires it. (In other words, there is nothing wrong with the gear you just bought - look for your problem elsewhere. Rather a convenient an attractive philosophy for a sales person.)

Its not in the interest of amplifier manufacturers to provide high end power cords. Privately, the amplifier designers may not place much sonic value in high end power cords or wall outlets. But sales of expensive amplifiers depend on the audiophile's belief that quality/expense of any component is correlated with beautiful sound.

Jea48 - Interesting article. It starts out with some good factual information, then concludes with some personal examples and advice which has little or no correlation with the factual information.
Br3098

Br3098,

What better person than Charles Hansen of Ayre to explain how AC power can affect the sound of an audio system.
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But sales of expensive amplifiers depend on the audiophile's belief that quality/expense of any component is correlated with beautiful sound.

In most amplfiers the single most expensive item on the BOM will be be the beautiful thick brushed steel face plate. The control knobs are often the second most expensive item. The same goes for speakers - the woodwork and veneer is the most costly item. So nice high end gear is indeed truly expensive becuase teh actually are more costly to make.

Bob bundus:"ALL DOUBTING THOMAS'S SOUND THE SAME"

I take it as a compliment to be aligned with Doubting Thomas, but your analogy is nevertheless a particularly felicitous one, since our conflict--friendly, I hope--does appear to pit the religious against the skeptics. My problem with doubting Thomas is that he didn't doubt enough. In any case, though Thomas fingered the wound, I don't intend to finger a upgraded wall socket. Cheers, or Amen, depending.