Hi,
Has anyone replaced the regular receptacle or power port by using the hospital grade one, such ps audio http://psaudio.com/products/powerport.asp or http://www.smartdev.com/AC-1.html ?

Does it actually help in audio improvement as stated or just a hype?

thanks.

Port 1

Port 2

i have never used either of them.

bigjohn

For some reason I find this hard to believe, sorry

Have you replaced your in wall wiring? Have you replaced your circuit breakers? Have you replaced the high tension lines back to the power plant? It's not going to make a difference.

Audiofan...

The green dot denotes "Hospital Grade" - what is hospital grade? It just refers to a greater grip strength on the prongs placed into it. (So granny's breathing machine doesn't fall out of the wall)

The orange triangle denotes isolated ground. What does that mean if you don't actually have an electrician wire an isolated ground to this plug? About the same as me putting a Corvette 427 plate on a Chevette. Nothing. The second link does show that the ground on the orange plug is "isolated" from the outlet chassis, but then goes on to say the NEC (or CEC in Canada) requires metallic electrical boxes to be grounded (which is true - if a hot lead slipped off or frayed, it could energize the box otherwise!) so it's really a moot point.

The best way to burn off the BS here is... how far does your power come before it gets to you - and do you think your hydro company is using "audiophile" grade parts at each of their power stations? Your house is only a thousandth of a percent of the entire life of your power.

Bren R.

here's my experience with hospital grade receptacles (mind you, i don't know what's behind them - wiring, etc...).

I worked (will work again) for a company that sells EEG (electroencephalograph) equipment. That measures the electrical activity in your brain.

If you plugged the machine into anything but a hospital grade receptacle (especially a power bar), you would see 60hz interference in the EEG signal. when plugged into a hospital grade receptacle, that went away.

my assumption, though, is that tv's and receivers and cd players, etc, have built in filters to block out this noise, otherwise you'd hear or see a constant 60hz buzz.

I had hospital plugs in my old house. Help the sound? yeah right. but they are alot better then the 98 cent ones that are standard. Dont buy the ps audio ones. waste money. Just go to an electrincal supply house or something and get some.

In reply to:

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If you plugged the machine into anything but a hospital grade receptacle (especially a power bar), you would see 60hz interference in the EEG signal. when plugged into a hospital grade receptacle, that went away.

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But was that because of a hospital grade plug, or was that because the hospital grade plug was wired to a circuit separated from the fluorescent lights, air handlers, floor waxers, paging system, etc...?

Our video booth has a discreet ground from the rest of the building as well (with regular "orange triangle" plugs as a demarcation) depending where else in the building you get power from, but you can find 60 cycle hum on a few of the 4 distinct grounds in the building. (especially where the ice plant gets it's power!)

Bren R.

I wired my basement, and I'm now electrician. Used the standard $1 outlets from Menards, works like a charm, those that pay more must own BOSE

No, they will not improve SQ. 110V AC at 60 cycles will be the same regardless of the receptacle and internal wiring and panel make up. If you have dirty power going into the grind from the power generator, there’s nothing that household wiring will do to fix that. You could buy a power conditioner if you’re really interested in cleaning power to your equipment though. They will make a difference in that regard. A difference in SQ, doubtful, but it will increase equipment longevity.

Hospital grade receptacles are manufactured to a more stringent UL specification. The green dot denotes that they have this particular UL rating(s). They’re built with heavier gauge copper and brass components, a self grounding strap, thicker banding, tougher face that is chemical and impact resistant, and in general, built to withstand the abuse of gorillas. I have them throughout my home, but I didn’t buy them for the grade. I wanted grey receptacles, and HG were the only way that I could get that color when I was building the house.