"Audiophile grade" is getting out of hand.
08-28-2009, 08:42 PM
#1
Boost Pope
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"Audiophile grade" is getting out of hand.
Here is a 20A 120V duplex receptacle:
Here is the description:
$147.72
No, this isn't a joke: Parts-Express.com:*Wattgate 381 Audio Grade Duplex Socket
Here is the description:
If you are building your own audiophile power cord to improve component performance, you need the WattGate 381 receptacle. Why build a performance power cable only to plug it into the same receptacle that's been in use for almost 100 years? WattGate's 381 is a no compromise solution for the demanding AV enthusiast. Construction of the 381 is top-notch and features glass-filled, nylon front and rear housings. Mounting strap, rivets and grounding strip are gold plated, solid brass for the ultimate in corrosion resistance and power transfer. Installation of the 381 is simple and efficient due to rear wiring and large, #10 brass terminal screws. Terminal clamps are gold plated, solid brass and shaped to better grip the conductors. Like the 330 and 350, the 381 leaves the competition behind with its contacts. Configured in a triple-wiper design allows the plug blades to be gripped at three separate points. Additionally, the heavy-duty contacts maximize the clamping spring-rate and ensure conductivity. A three-layer plating process is also completed on the 381: Oxygen free copper plating, electrolysis nickel, and finally 24k gold plating. Receptacle is cryogenically treated and rated at 125 VAC, 20A.
Here is the price: - Cryogenically treated
- Solid brass contact construction
- Three step 24k gold plating process
- Triple wiper design increases contact area
- Superior performance over standard receptacles
$147.72
No, this isn't a joke: Parts-Express.com:*Wattgate 381 Audio Grade Duplex Socket
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08-28-2009, 10:21 PM
#7
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Ever heard of Isolated Ground outlets?
Most of my customers stores are spec'd for IG outlets to run their computer systems. Basically there is a completely separate electrical panel in the store for nothing but the POS/IT equipment. The cabling used for it has 4 conductors in it even though its standard 110 volt wiring. Basically what they do is run the common and hot into the outlet, with the third as a ground. The fourth one gets hooked up to the electrical box the outlet is attached to, which is also part of the flex conduit the cabling is installed inside. Both those grounds go back to the panel where they're attached to the ground bus, which is attached to the main ground bus, and the buildings grounding system.
I think thats completely pointless, but it does at least keep anything with an induction motor off the circuitry for the computer systems.. Then again, so do the outlets..
Most of my customers stores are spec'd for IG outlets to run their computer systems. Basically there is a completely separate electrical panel in the store for nothing but the POS/IT equipment. The cabling used for it has 4 conductors in it even though its standard 110 volt wiring. Basically what they do is run the common and hot into the outlet, with the third as a ground. The fourth one gets hooked up to the electrical box the outlet is attached to, which is also part of the flex conduit the cabling is installed inside. Both those grounds go back to the panel where they're attached to the ground bus, which is attached to the main ground bus, and the buildings grounding system.
I think thats completely pointless, but it does at least keep anything with an induction motor off the circuitry for the computer systems.. Then again, so do the outlets..
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Oh god.
08-29-2009, 10:54 AM
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For your audiophile listening pleasure, I present:
Denon USA | AK-DL1
Why pay $500 for a cat5 patch cable? Well.. hmmm... the bits are cleaner when they go through a really expensive cable. No dirty bits with this kit in your rack. No sir. Cleanest bits ever.
Denon USA | AK-DL1
Why pay $500 for a cat5 patch cable? Well.. hmmm... the bits are cleaner when they go through a really expensive cable. No dirty bits with this kit in your rack. No sir. Cleanest bits ever.
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08-29-2009, 11:09 AM
#16
At first I was thinking it might have some sort of conditioning circuit built in, but that's just stupid. It doesn't matter how good your contacts are - shitty power is shitty power. That's why they make power conditioning systems. Anyone that buys an outlet like that deserves to be ripped off. They should also pay me $100 to smack them in the face.
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08-30-2009, 05:58 PM
#18
Boost Pope
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We do iso-ground stuff occasionally with 15A and 20A duplex receptacles, but they're nothing fancy. They're orange, they have a little green triangle on 'em, and they cost about $10.
Honestly, even the recording studio guys know better than to fall for this sort of ****. Yes, they do spend money on balanced AC power systems (which create a virtual neutral that's not connected to ground) but when it comes to the distribution infrastructure, it's regular ole' contractor-grade outlets, with the IEC cables that came with the gear plugged into 'em
The thing that bothers me most when I see this kind of thing is simply that I didn't think of it first.
Wow.
I mean, I can see spending $20 vs. $5 on a piece of photon hose to get something that's not going to fall apart or break the first time you tug on it, but CAT5? I'll bet my whole life savings that at 1.5 meters, the recovered audio at the far end of that thing is 100% identical to if it has passed through this $3.50 cable.
BTW, anybody know what happened to eHDMI.com? They seem to have vanished!
Honestly, even the recording studio guys know better than to fall for this sort of ****. Yes, they do spend money on balanced AC power systems (which create a virtual neutral that's not connected to ground) but when it comes to the distribution infrastructure, it's regular ole' contractor-grade outlets, with the IEC cables that came with the gear plugged into 'em
For your audiophile listening pleasure, I present:
Denon USA | AK-DL1
Denon USA | AK-DL1
I mean, I can see spending $20 vs. $5 on a piece of photon hose to get something that's not going to fall apart or break the first time you tug on it, but CAT5? I'll bet my whole life savings that at 1.5 meters, the recovered audio at the far end of that thing is 100% identical to if it has passed through this $3.50 cable.
BTW, anybody know what happened to eHDMI.com? They seem to have vanished!
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08-30-2009, 06:44 PM
#19
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For your audiophile listening pleasure, I present:
Denon USA | AK-DL1
Denon USA | AK-DL1
100X markup. That makes Monster Cable's products look frugal in comparison. I am in the wrong business. I wonder how many of those they have sold?
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