Wall Sockets

Posted by: Naimed-In-NY on 06 March 2006

Sorry if this question has been covered already - I couldn't seem to locate anything meaningful using the search function. Also, due to differences between continents regarding electric delivery that I don't really understand, this question only may be applicable to those in the States; ny apologies if I'm wrong.

My wife and I are in the process of buidling a new house (our final house if I have my way). By giving up veto power over the rest of the house, I have secured a "Music Room" for my stereo in the new house. I have specified with the contractor a dedicated line going into the outlet I will use for my stereo. I already have the Wiremold bar, and may pick up the new and improved power bar being recommended by NANA in the States.

My dilemma is this: it does seem sewhat silly to go to all this trouble and then plug the Wiremold into a $2 wall outlet. Is there anything to those specialty audio wall outlets? A catalog I receive sells outlets from PS Audio, Shunyata and Oxiade (spelling?), all ranging from about $50 to $100. Are there others also available in the States?

My questions are: (1) do these wall outlets represent a real improvement that can be heard? and (2) are there any meaningful differences between them and which do Forum members recommend?

Thanks.

Mike
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Derek Wright
On the NaNa site there is reference to dual Hospital Grade sockets for use as wall sockets.

If the advice given in the NaNa site is aimed at the same level as the Naim UK site ie it is defining a cost effective minimum standard. People in the UK have successfully gone to a higher specification of cabling because they felt it was worth it.
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by glevethan
quote:
Originally posted by Naimed-In-NY:
I have secured a "Music Room" for my stereo in the new house. Mike


Congratulations Mike on the dedicated room - don't spend too much time in it!

You might pick up the telephone and place a call to NANA power bar people. Ted, the owner, usually responds to the phone calls and he seemed quite knowledgeable the last time that I spoke with him. He could probably give you some enlightened advice. Enjoy.

Regards
Gregg
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Gary S.
On the subject of wall sockets....this is where my Hifi used to sit
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Gary S.
And before that it used to sit here .... this time i've gone for a Hydra - far simpler Big Grin

Gary
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by JRHardee
I borrowed a NANA power strip two days ago. Ten minutes after plugging it in, I phoned the dealer to tell him that I wouldn't be returning it. It's a substantial and cost effective upgrade over the Wiremold.

Hosptial grade outlets are bright orange. They make a powerful statement and a positive addition to any decor.
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by glevethan
quote:
Originally posted by JRHardee:
I borrowed a NANA power strip two days ago. Ten minutes after plugging it in, I phoned the dealer to tell him that I wouldn't be returning it. It's a substantial and cost effective upgrade over the Wiremold.

Hosptial grade outlets are bright orange. They make a powerful statement and a positive addition to any decor.


Amen!
Funny though - mine are not orange - although mine was purchased before the "official" NANA version. Is you power cable hard wired?

Gregg
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Naimed-In-NY
Thanks for the responses, all.

Greg and JRHardee - Did you get the wall sockets from the same company that sold the new NANA outlet bar? If not, did you just pick up hospital grade outlets at a Loew's or Home Depot, or did you opt for any brand in particular?

Thanks.

Mike
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Naimed-In-NY
Also, this probably has been covered before, but in what ways would you say the new NANA power bar outperforms the Wiremold? (Probably tough to put into words, but I gather you thought the added expense was well worth it?)

Mike
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Dave Hartley
Gary,
The Hydra may be a simpler option but did the music improve compared to the unswitched sockets you used.

dave
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Gary S.
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Hartley:
Gary,
The Hydra may be a simpler option but did the music improve compared to the unswitched sockets you used.

dave


Dave

Honestly, I don't know. I ordered the Hydra whilst my amps were being serviced and couldn't resist plugging it all in together. Until I get around to unplugging the Hydra and seeing how it sounds without it, I'm not able to make a judgement. The trouble is, at the moment, it sounds absolutely fantastic and I'm just enjoying the music and can't be bothered with all that messing around. One day I'll get around to it and report on the findings.

Regards

Gary
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by AWS
Mike:
I've had my nana power strip now for 6 days. I am not sure if there is a burn-in period but I don't think I care. The difference over the wiremold was very noticable. The biggest improvements I noticed were the bass extension and sharper in focus detail of the base. Definately worth the money.

Weldon
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Naimed-In-NY
Weldon - Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm convinced to try to the NANA power strip, although I've been saving up for some time for a Hi-Cap2 for my 202 (no easy task when building a house)and want to do that first. I figure I can add the NANA power strip at any time, and I have been satisfied with the Wiremold so I don't feel a huge urgency. However, if I'm going to use anything other than a "regular" wall socket, I need to pick it up soon to give to my builder.

Can I ask you if you are plugging your NANA power strip into a "regular" wall socket, or have you tried any of the "audiophile" wall sockets? Thanks.

Mike
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Clay Bingham
Mike

It been awhile since I looked into sockets. A friend in the electronics business told me that, at least in the U.S, most audiophile sockets were enhancements to the basic Hubble hospital socket design. As I recall, the enhancements included brass fittings, stronger plug clamps, better shielding and grounding. I haven't made the purchase yet, but I thought the $50 a socket that P. S Audio was asking was about what I was willing to experiment with. Seems to me the regular Hubble Hospital sockets were in the $10-$15 range.

Regards
Clay
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by David Dever
The hospital-grade recommendation is not set in stone-the arc-proof plating may have detrimental sonic effects, buyer beware!
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by kuma
There are many so-called audiophile grade outlets available.

I have tried few and found that not all hospital grade outlets are good sonically or mechanically.( few came apart from the weight of heavy power cords )

I am using the WattAgate which are not great but better than others. At least it's mechanically sound.
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Naimed-In-NY
quote:
Originally posted by David Dever:
The hospital-grade recommendation is not set in stone-the arc-proof plating may have detrimental sonic effects, buyer beware!


David - Can you please elaborate? What is arc-proof plating? Does that mean I should get an "audiophile" wall socket as opposed to a regular hospital grade socket, or are you saying not to spend any extra money and just use the same sockets that can be found throughout most peoples' homes?

Sorry, I just don't understand your warning. I don't want to waste money on something that really won't improve things. On the other hand, if these "audiophile" sockets do improve things, the price is relatively small given the rest of my investment.

Thanks, Mike
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by jz
Why is it that on 'our' side of the Atlantic we all speak of the NANA power blocks ,but on 'their' side of the ditch the HYDRA is the standard for Naim connections?
The hydra seems to be the most elegant means to eliminate additional connections and ensure proper star grounding .
Do hydras violate North American electrical codes? or something to do with the higher voltage in Britan?
Nothing against NANA but why cant we purchase a hydra cable device here, and eliminate all sorts of additional cable and plugs?
Help .....?
Jay
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by CXF04
I'm a Manhattanite living in a 20-year old almost 50-story building housing several thousand people. I wondered about the impact of everyone else’s appliances and devices on my listening and on a lark recently added 2 PS Audio wall outlets from Music Direct. I’m not an audiophile and not really a dabbler, but the effect on my system exceeded anything I could have imagined,principally the music being far more knowable and identifiable! My wife who never comments about audio asked if I’d bought a new piece of equipment. Out of curiosity I called Music Direct to share my observations and inquire about what others had found. Music Direct suggested some outlets offered improvements in even greater geometric progressions. I haven’t tried any yet, but at some point will, finding high relationship between cost and outcome!
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by kuma
CXF04.

I Guess the outlets are just like anything in that demo is essential.

Out of curiosity, I've tried the PS audio outlets.
Those thing didn't do a darn thing for my rig and nothing else it dulled down the transient a bit.

Naturally, I don't use them for the audio applications. At least they are mechanically solid, tho.
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by Ian Brown
Ah, just when I thought I had heard everything along comes the "electrical outlet demo". That is good stuff! That's right up there with, "which side up is the glass in your Fraim?". Any casual observer reading these posts would think Naim equipment is the most wildly sensitive hifi equipment on the planet!

Having said that, I live in Canada and have a dedicated line running to my stereo (as I like to call it) from the fuse box. It's an electrically loud house with a lot of hum (That's a technical term)and the dedicated line seems to make some minor difference.

Thanks for the humour Smile
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by kuma
quote:
"which side up is the glass in your Fraim?"


Now this one is easy since there's only one correct side. Smile
Posted on: 06 March 2006 by prowla
quote:
Originally posted by jz:
Why is it that on 'our' side of the Atlantic we all speak of the NANA power blocks ,but on 'their' side of the ditch the HYDRA is the standard for Naim connections?
The hydra seems to be the most elegant means to eliminate additional connections and ensure proper star grounding .
Do hydras violate North American electrical codes? or something to do with the higher voltage in Britan?
Nothing against NANA but why cant we purchase a hydra cable device here, and eliminate all sorts of additional cable and plugs?
Help .....?
Jay
I made my hydra.
Posted on: 07 March 2006 by Naimed-In-NY
quote:
Originally posted by CXF04:
I'm a Manhattanite living in a 20-year old almost 50-story building housing several thousand people. I wondered about the impact of everyone else’s appliances and devices on my listening and on a lark recently added 2 PS Audio wall outlets from Music Direct. I’m not an audiophile and not really a dabbler, but the effect on my system exceeded anything I could have imagined,principally the music being far more knowable and identifiable! My wife who never comments about audio asked if I’d bought a new piece of equipment. Out of curiosity I called Music Direct to share my observations and inquire about what others had found. Music Direct suggested some outlets offered improvements in even greater geometric progressions. I haven’t tried any yet, but at some point will, finding high relationship between cost and outcome!


Thanks for sharing your experience.

Mike
Posted on: 07 March 2006 by Naimed-In-NY
quote:
Originally posted by kuma:
CXF04.

I Guess the outlets are just like anything in that demo is essential.

Out of curiosity, I've tried the PS audio outlets.
Those thing didn't do a darn thing for my rig and nothing else it dulled down the transient a bit.

Naturally, I don't use them for the audio applications. At least they are mechanically solid, tho.


Kuma - Interesting how you and CXF04 has such different experiences with the same product. I guess there are no easy answers.

I'm hoping not to have to "demo" wall sockets. I am not a tweaker, and not particularly handy around the house (other than changing light bulbs, I don't do electronics). Thus, I just want to buy a socket that is better than the $2 cheapies used throughout the house (assuming it really is better), give it to my builder to install when they get to the electric stuff, and then be done with it forever.

Mike
Posted on: 07 March 2006 by AWS
Mike:
My nana power strip is plugged into a dedicated circuit.

Weldon