Power Port dissected

Interesting... I don't think that I would post below the video that I use 4 Furutech outlets on my system on a dedicated line. I do use a Hubbell on it's own line for my subwoofer though.

"Audiophiles, to be blunt, are narcissists that validate themselves by spending WAY too much money on useless equipment such as this receptacle. I'm a retired audio engineer, and have worked studios and concerts all over the US and know the industry well. Every studio and sound system installation uses high-quality, but otherwise "normal" wiring for the AC mains, DC power supplies, audio interconnects (wires, connectors) and speaker cables. The ridiculous claims of audiophile components are silly, and the prices speak for themselves. Even the very best studios would never spend that kind of money on those components."

Contrast that with Dave Gilmour's Astoria studio..., posted on February 3, 2021 at 19:03:26
jbrrp1 Audiophile Posts: 483 Location: Minnesota Joined: April 24, 2007	On his house boat on the Thames. I recall reading an article about all of the attention to audiophile detail at absolutely every turn, including very expensive cabling. Depends upon your ears, priorities, experience, preferences?

RE: Contrast that with Dave Gilmour's Astoria studio..., posted on February 3, 2021 at 19:38:43
Duster Manufacturer Posts: 17117 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002	While there are the typical if not stereotypical detractors who have nothing but disdain for the notion, there are plenty of folks within the pro audio industry who use and advocate audiophile-quality AC delivery and cabling.

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 3, 2021 at 20:02:40
Mike K Audiophile Posts: 13975 Location: 97701 Joined: September 23, 1999	Well, what about "audiophile" plugs and iec connectors?' And, has anyone ever done controlled listening tests to compare various outlets, plugs, and/or iec connectors to try to determine which one(s) supposedly sound better/best? Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

Wiser words not yet written, posted on February 3, 2021 at 20:57:24
Craiger56 Audiophile Posts: 5574 Location: San Jose CA Joined: April 3, 2002 Contributor Since: December 29, 2003	Although I suspect the vast majority of of outlets, plugs, and/or IEC connectors are purchased by audiophiles wanting a new toy for their big rig.

There are a good number...., posted on February 3, 2021 at 21:01:38
alan m. kafton Manufacturer Posts: 5285 Joined: April 7, 2000	....of recording and mastering studios around the world utilizing high-quality cabling and accessories, in complete contradiction with the author of the quote above. They've been featured from time-to-time in Stereophile and Absolute Sound. High-quality is "normal" for them....

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 4, 2021 at 08:19:09
Sondek Audiophile Posts: 9630 Location: Fort Worth Joined: May 17, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	He's obviously a disciple of the late Annoying Randi, I mean Amazing Randi.

What constitutes "high quality" cabling and connectors?, posted on February 4, 2021 at 08:28:29
Mike K Audiophile Posts: 13975 Location: 97701 Joined: September 23, 1999	Expensive does not necessarily = better. Quality recordings depend mostly upon the microphones used, microphone placement, and the smarts of the recording engineer, all else being equal. Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

How about the outlet cover for the wall?, posted on February 4, 2021 at 10:03:00

Rocket_Powered
Audiophile

Posts: 439
Location: East Coast
Joined: May 15, 2020

How anyone/everyone spends their money is their business.

There are outlets from Furutech and Oyaide that cost much more than that PS Audio one. They would also gladly sell you the carbon fiber outlet cover for hundreds - a simple plastic white one can be had at the home improvement store for ~$0.10.

From that video, anything can be compared in such a way - why would anyone buy a Rolls Royce when a Honda can get you from A to B just the same?

If that $50 outlet 'sounds' better to them than that $6 one, then so be it.

*If you don't believe it, you won't hear it , posted on February 4, 2021 at 10:12:35**
Mike K Audiophile Posts: 13975 Location: 97701 Joined: September 23, 1999	Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

*RE: If you don't believe it, you won't hear it , posted on February 4, 2021 at 10:25:55**
Rocket_Powered Audiophile Posts: 439 Location: East Coast Joined: May 15, 2020	Oh I will make sure I believe. If I've just spent, say, $500 for the outlet and cover, you can bet the farm that I will like what I hear plugged into that outlet - even if it's my hairdryer :P.

RE: How about the outlet cover for the wall?, posted on February 4, 2021 at 10:53:32
Craiger56 Audiophile Posts: 5574 Location: San Jose CA Joined: April 3, 2002 Contributor Since: December 29, 2003	Agree on all points

RE: Contrast that with Dave Gilmour's Astoria studio..., posted on February 4, 2021 at 13:15:55

13th Duke of Wymbourne
Audiophile

Posts: 2800
Location: Orange Co., Ca
Joined: September 19, 2001

I just listened to the latest Darko podcast where he interviewed someone from the pro-audio world. He made the point that studios aren't going to pay big bucks for cables that can easily 'walk', especially if freelancers are using the equipment. In the extreme he noted that a big studio would have many, many cables and they simply aren't going to 10x or 100x that budget for audiophile cables. So, almost all the music we listen to passed through non-audiophile cables on its way to, and from, all the op-amps in the mixing desk. And, practically, recording techniques and mastering have the most impact on what we hear.

13DoW

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 4, 2021 at 19:24:39

MylesJ
Audiophile

Posts: 1259
Location: Oregon Coast
Joined: October 25, 2001

The article below has some listening tests. I read an article that liked the Hubbel IG at around $9. I found a few articles that liked the Pass and Seymour 5242 which you can find for about $5. It has solid copper contact surfaces. I don't remember where I saw those.

http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0114/audiophile_

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 4, 2021 at 19:47:07

zacster
Audiophile

Posts: 2179
Location: NYC
Joined: November 22, 2003

The article lists the Hubbel at $25, and at that price it might be worth a try. The Acme at $40 is a little bit too much. The others I can do without. Given the descriptions though I thought they'd all be much more. Nothing under a grand can be audiophile grade, can it? ;) There is one reason that I do believe in terms of needing a higher grade outlet and that is the physical scraping that goes on inserting the plug. I don't want to scrape off my gold plating with a cheap outlet.

Overall though I don't believe it will make any difference but I've never tried. For that matter I've never tried an upscale power cable, but that is about to change. I've ordered the parts to build a VH Audio power cable that will be hard wired to my amp since it doesn't have an IEC. I couldn't figure out why I would want an IEC added in spite of some replies to a query I made here a few weeks ago. Why add another part? Isn't the point to reduce these things? I'd have to solder either way but cutting metal is a real PITA. If I decide I want to try something else I'll solder something else, or maybe it is screwed down? I'll have to look. It goes through a cheap power switch and a fuse before going to the cloth covered transformer leads. Oh, it is a highly modded ST-70 I'm using this for.

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 4, 2021 at 20:00:07

Duster
Manufacturer

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

Image: Unplated bare brass Hubbell 5362 AC outlet

The PS Audio Power Port is essentially a nickel plated brass Hubbell 8300, a design which has always been avoided by audiophiles in favor of unplated, bare brass AC outlet models such as the Hubbell 5362, and various true Audio Grade AC outlets within the audiophile marketplace. Why PS Audio chose a nickel plated product is unknown to me, since the SQ is obviously inferior. Perhaps the anti-oxidization aspect was their only consideration.

Since the designation of the Power Port as being an Audio Grade AC outlet is unfounded, defending the Power Port from an audiophile POV is impossible. While I do enjoy PS Audio power line conditioner products, all of the stock Power Port AC outlets were upgraded with true Audio Grade AC outlet products long ago, which is a rather common thing that many PS Audio PLC users have chosen to do.

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 4, 2021 at 23:31:10
Duster Manufacturer Posts: 17117 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: August 25, 2002	Here you go, zacster. Hubbell HBL5362W - Bare Brass AC Outlet: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hubbell-Wiring-Device-Kellems-Hbl5362w-20A-Duplex-Receptacle-125Vac-5-20R-Wh/333855137267 https://www.ebay.com/itm/164324280806 Hubbell IG5362I - Bare Phosphor Bronze AC Outlet: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hubbell-IG5362I-Isolated-Ground-Duplex-Receptacle-Outlet-Ivory-20A-125V/324456845102

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 5, 2021 at 06:15:49
G Evely Dealer Posts: 10 Location: Ontario Canada Joined: July 3, 2003	The outlet in the photo is a Hubbell HBL 5262W, that is the 15A version with straight wipers. This is actually the best choice for most people because there are very few 20A wall plugs in the average system, this model makes a lower resistance contact on 15A wall plugs. Gene

I wish that I had the money to validate my narcissism. nt, posted on February 7, 2021 at 22:13:54
viridian	Nt

Hubbell 5362, posted on February 8, 2021 at 07:10:42
Rocket_Powered Audiophile Posts: 439 Location: East Coast Joined: May 15, 2020	Thanks for the suggestion Duster. I'll try some of those.

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 8, 2021 at 09:35:29

tweaker456
Audiophile

Posts: 7743
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: June 20, 2020

Myles,I can not find info on the P&S 5242 receptacle but I think it highly unlikely that it has solid copper contacts.EDIT: In a description it is stated that they are brass contacts, not copper.

So let us stop talkin' falsely now, the hour's getting late --
Robert Allen Zimmerman

RE: Power Port dissected, posted on February 8, 2021 at 12:17:07
MylesJ Audiophile Posts: 1259 Location: Oregon Coast Joined: October 25, 2001	zakster - my bad, I did a little too much cut and paste and neglected to take the IG off the Hubbell part number. I built the Chris VH power cables for my monoblocks and hear a good improvement. I put Wattgate plugs on them and realized I needed duplex sockets that were tighter. I got some NOS Pass and Seymour spec grade (I guess from before they had hospital grade) which have quite a grip.

Cable Asylum

Power Port dissected

174.194.153.202