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Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate

76.28.209.43
Posted on April 20, 2017 at 17:12:27
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002



While not at the same level of a SOTA Oyaide WPC-Z aluminum wall bracket with carbon fiber faceplate system, this carbon fiber AC outlet wall plate product is priced at the level of a cheap tweak, and provides superior sonic performance vs. a similar solid aluminum product in my experience, and any other hardware store sourced AC outlet wall plate can provide. It's an oversized AC outlet wall plate that has a number of potential DIY design configurations, and since it fully covers an AC outlet and wall box, it's a safe option to consider without caveat.

Among the possible mounting options, and if the wall box wiring is long enough to pull-out several inches if not a foot or so, the face of an AC outlet can be adhered with silicone adhesive to the back of the large carbon fiber wall plate, then the carbon fiber wall plate can be mounted to the wall box via the two inner screw holes. As a further mounting option, the carbon fiber wall plate can be additionally secured to the surrounding drywall with short course threaded drywall screws via the two outer (top and bottom) screw holes. This should provide a notably rigid interface, and could be made even more secure with the use of threaded inserts if the drywall holes become stripped by over-torquing the screws.

An easier option, and the one that I will choose for a second system, since the wiring of the AC outlet wall box cannot be pulled far enough out from the wall to mount the AC outlet to the back of the carbon fiber wall plate, is to mount the AC outlet to the wall box as per usual, then position the carbon fiber wall plate over the AC outlet, drill a pilot hole through the top hole into the drywall and secure it with a short course threaded drywall screw, then do the same via the bottom screw hole. Since the carbon fiber AC outlet wall plate is not a load bearing device, two simple drywall screws are more than adequate for the task. A very straightforward method that provides excellent dissipation of magnetic fields generated by the termination of the wiring, and a level of vibration control as another sonic benefit.

Note: Depending on how deep the wall box is mounted to the wall, a thin nylon washer may be needed to adhere behind the outer holes of the carbon fiber wall plate for the drywall screws, since in my case the face of the AC outlet protrudes a bit further out rather than perfectly flush with the surface of the wall.

Best price found is $26.99 with free shipping, which I consider equal to a cost of $20 plus $6.99 shipping charge, making it a cheap tweak in essence.

See link:

 

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RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 23, 2017 at 21:31:13
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3538
Joined: April 23, 2007
 ..and this will sound different/better than a 29 cent home depot face plate?

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 24, 2017 at 12:18:41
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 I have experimented with many hardware store sourced AC outlet wall plates over the years, including the popular non-magnetic stainless steel Cooper brand wall plate, and even as basic as these are, the differences are subtle but audible. I installed the Oyaide WPC-Z wall bracket system at the wall for my main audio system years ago, and the improvement was far from subtle, and many other audiophiles find profound benefit from its use. The key factor of the relatively inexpensive wall plate that shares a carbon fiber design concept with the much more expensive Oyaide, Furutech, and Acoustic Revive products is the benefit of energy dissipation, both electrical and mechanical. A direct comparison with even a robust solid aluminum AC outlet wall plate with the same dimensions showed that the carbon fiber version sounded superior, with notably improved clarity that was not subtle in their difference, to my ear. It's not my intention to change anyone's mind that may be skeptical, just to share my own findings in the forum.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 25, 2017 at 08:15:25
Salectric
Audiophile

Posts: 1358
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 23, 2003
 I certainly agree with the advice to ignore trolls. This is just one of many, many instances in hifi where some people are willing to try a tweak and hear a difference, and others are not willing to try it because they already "know" it can't make a difference. That is just their loss, in my opinion.

My only experimentation with wall plates is with a Furutech GTX-D NCF outlet which I bought as a combo package with the aluminum wall bracket and NCF carbon fiber plate. I have only used the parts together so can't say which part is responsible for what change in sound. But I can say the package as a whole makes a significant change in sound. Where I might differ with some other comments and reviews is that I don't find the changes to be all that major or dramatic. When my equipment is plugged into the Furutech outlet, the music is a little cleaner and more detailed than with a standard builder grade outlet, but also somewhat smaller sounding. An overall improvement, but not so much that I have been tempted to buy another one.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 25, 2017 at 10:17:47
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 While I'm not questioning the veracity of your personal evaluation, that is a remarkable finding. I can detect clear if not profound differences between each and every AC outlet in my experience, and the Oyaide WPC-Z simply takes the presentation of any AC outlet to the next level of betterment, of which I'm sure the Furutech aluminum wall bracket with NCF carbon fiber plate is equal to in performance.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 25, 2017 at 10:36:20
Salectric
Audiophile

Posts: 1358
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 23, 2003
 I am not sure what part of my comments you find "remarkable." I did say the Furutech outlet combo made a "significant" change in sound quality, just that the changes were not "all that major or dramatic." Is it the magnitude of change that you find remarkable? Or the fact that I hear some disadvantages (a "smaller" sound) as well as good things?

For what it's worth, I suspect my wall power is cleaner than most folks since I live in a rural area without many neighbors and no industrial customers to contaminate the power line.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 25, 2017 at 10:44:44
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Remarkable is just an old-school term meaning surprise, nothing personal as to your findings. Perhaps it's just my terminology and expressiveness.

I find the Furutech NCF Rhodium provides an expanded soundstage while sounding very focused. Synergy is also a primary factor in this matter.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 25, 2017 at 13:42:31
Tweaker456
 In the US these plates connect by a center screw to the outlet. I don't see how this connects. Last time I checked there wasn't one made for the US market. What am I missing? T456

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 26, 2017 at 05:38:25
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 While this type of AC outlet wall plate is for a NEMA AC outlet, it's not intended for North American installations, it's for a foreign application with a different sized electrical box. I have yet to see a photo of an actual installation that uses the wall plate, nor any explanation of its intended application, so it's a bit of a mystery to me.

 

Thank you!, posted on April 26, 2017 at 11:11:08
Mossback
Audiophile

Posts: 1871
Location: Washington, the State
Joined: November 17, 2001
 Sharing your experiences are worthwhile and appreciated.
Years ago I bought an Oyaide duplex outlet from VH Audio after reading how some members here found them worthwhile.
The outlet was $100.00 a high price but in my case a huge value due to the improvement it provided.
Thank you Duster for taking the time to share.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 26, 2017 at 15:12:41
Tweaker456
 I didn't read the whole post before I asked about the mounting. Seems to me that one might drill a hole in the center to screw it in where ours are screwed in. This is where the vibration damping would substaintally occure, IMO. I told the makers of these that they are missing out on a yuge market in the USA by not offering US a standard version. They probably didn't listen. Wonder how a solid brass plate would sound in comparison to the Brainared and the CF?? T456

 

I use standard thick brass outlet covers with a layer of BluTack on the inside, posted on April 26, 2017 at 15:30:30
3+4=5
 I am just too cheap to try the fancy ones..

I was too cheap to try aftermarket powercords too.. Until I found some cheaper than I could make!
So now I have a pile of Pangea.
I am too cheap to try anything more expensive though!

I used to be too cheap about IC too. But I finally went whole hog and bought some great $1000 a pop IC pairs. LOL

Anyway, I just cannot see paying for a fancy outlet or cover.
Maybe if I was rich?

 

Cheers (nt), posted on April 26, 2017 at 15:37:48
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 nt

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 26, 2017 at 15:46:36
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Drilling a hole in the middle would be fine but less interesting to me. The primary benefit of the carbon fiber wall plate is for EMI absorption rather than vibration/resonance control purposes, IME. I compared a smaller version carbon fiber wall plate with a solid aluminum wall plate with the same dimensions, and the carbon fiber version provides better clarity, to my ear.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 26, 2017 at 22:08:47
Tweaker456
 Brass isn't aluminum. I went with the Brainards from your review. Eventually I will try a brass unit. I believe I can hear a difference between types of center screws, brass vs steel I guess, and also, at the risk of villification from the anti tweak lurkers out there, I believe I can hear a difference in how tight the center screw is. If I wasn't hallucinatin it would lend credence to vibration manipulation as being important. T456

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 27, 2017 at 15:28:30
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Brass has no inherent vibration control properties. In fact, brass tends to ring so it's actually a resonator, and it's why bells and cymbals tend to be made of brass or bronze. However, resonation has potential dissipation properties, so it could be seen as a system tuning material of your choice.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on April 27, 2017 at 23:06:52
Tweaker456
 Been reading a bit on the subject. Aluminum has damping properties and brass is said to transfer the vibration and not dampen. IME thick brass, like in footers probably dosn't ring much but "works" to transfer the vibrations to wood or whatever. I do like what it does under equiptment better than Black Diamond CF racing cones. As to what would be better as a plate I don't know. Vibration wise it might not work for the plate. Anyhow, they are making trumpets, or at least the bell of a trumpet out of carbon fiber these days. T456

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on May 3, 2017 at 08:53:21
watchdogsg
Audiophile

Posts: 51
Location: Singpore
Joined: November 27, 2011
 I can shed some light on this. These type of mounting plates are commonly used in Asian countries that use UK mains sockets.

The plate replaces a twin gang UK face plate with a single US duplex. The two outer holes are intended to affix to the UK box, while the inner two holes are for securing the US receptacle. The centre screw for the US receptacle is not used.

 

RE: Carbon Fiber AC Outlet Wall Plate, posted on May 3, 2017 at 09:44:46
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Thank you for sharing that information, it makes perfect sense.

 

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