best unswitched double socket (UK)

quote:

I found the MK sockets gave a less detailed and somehwat "phat" bass presentation.

You must have golden ears if you can hear the difference that clearly! Either Crabtree or MK should be fine.

Nigel

5556 - said the glory wouldn't last long

quote:

You must have golden ears if you can hear the difference that clearly! Either Crabtree or MK should be fine.

Well I can clearly hear the difference. Given the magnitude of change brought about by the powerline etc. I see no reason why sockets should not be given a little more consideration that's all. I know Naim switched to MK plugs on standard leads when the supply of crabtee plugs came from a different manufacturing plant overseas.

Hi Fozz,

I am happy with my unswitched MK sockets, I haven't noticed a lack of detail or a phat bass.

You are welcome to come and hear them,

Regards

PB

I also use unswitched MK's - they work well for me into 3 PowerLines.

i managed to convince myself that an old crabtree sounded better than some of the newer MK's recently --such that i have actually gone back to the crabtree. but there could have been other factors -- if i manager to identify these -- will report

enjoy
ken

Fozz, you are amazing.

No really, keep telling yourself that. haha.

I know I am amazing thanks for the comments so far from fellow amazing beings.

Fozz,

Crabtree sockets are still available here - I use one (double unswitched) on my dedicated spur. My understanding is that Naim changed to MK plugs as the Crabtree ones no longer meet the UK regs with regard to toxic emmissions in a fire. If you don't like MK then you could try Marbo (from B&Q). These are available unswitched and seem to be very well made with chunky brass terminals, which look a lot more substantial than those on the MK sockets and are similar to the Crabtree ones. I use them on my AV mains block.

Regards,

Peter

MK switched production to China a while back and the quality has dropped. Contactum still manufacture a very good unswitched socket in the UK though.

thanks pjl and Joex, interesting comment about the crabtree sockets and toxic fumes. I think as I like these I will *risk* the few quid and try them first. Compared to the 6 powerlines soon to go in my system this is trivial money but well worth experimenting with.

MK do a hospital grade range of mains products which are better made. they are designed to create less static and are made for accrute supply to sensitive equipment/s but cost about a 1/3rd more. i used all these grade of items in my dedicated spur, worth the extra IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by r-tee:
MK do a hospital grade range of mains products which are better made. they are designed to create less static and are made for accrute supply to sensitive equipment/s but cost about a 1/3rd more. i used all these grade of items in my dedicated spur, worth the extra IMHO.

Anything approved for medical use should be better made with less toxic materials.

Jono

Hi Fozz,

I had the latest MK unswitched until about a couple of months ago.

I obtained the latest Crabtree unswitched sockets and in my system this was a big improvement over the MK, the MK in comparison made music dull and lifeless.

I then noticed that there was an original unswitched Crabtree on the wall in another room, this was replaced and the Crabtree was put onto the spur for the system.
The interesting thing that I found was, the XPS2 and 250.2 sounded better in the original Crabtree and the 552PS in the latest Crabtree.

Sockets are another improvement in the chain, but different sockets with different systems/rooms will no doubt produce different effects/improvements, listening to the music with the different sockets and decide which you find to be to be the best.

There a couple of options mentioned by other members which I have not tried, such as MK with the Powerline's, or the MK Hospital Grade sockets, but this will have to wait as my music is currently sounding stupendous and I do not want to upset this set up.

Would be interested to know how you get on.

Best regards

James

There's another option to consider - BG - British General which I had fitted to my spur and seems well made and still made in England.

Jonathan

i also found that the sockets that came with my Grahams power block are quite a bit heavier than the recent MK's that i tried -- i suspect this suggests better quality of the innards -- but i dont know enough to say -- but they definitely sounded better than the MK's

enjoy
ken

As with all things hi-final I was a sceptic until I heard the difference. The Crabtree has a much less forced and less harsh presentation.

Mike