Does an unadorned power strip like Naim/Wiremold AC Strip Really Improve Audio?

[Hershon2000]

I would appreciate anyones opinion on this, good or bad. I just bought for $50 on Ebay a Naim/Wiremold AC Strip which is described as follows: "This strip has nine hospital-grade sockets hardwired together; however, unlike the power strips available at hardware stores, there is no circuit breaker, noise filter, light, switch or fuse. Any one of these items will drastically reduce the system's musical performance. The Wiremold strip is the only strip that is free of these performance-robbing items, while providing a suitable number of outlets for even the largest Naim systems."

Before I go on, I'm no shill & I just ordered this, it hasn't arrive yet, figuring for $50, I've got nothing to lose & my system isn't Naim. I've always plugged my equipment into power conditioners/surge protectors but was not aware that doing so
in all likelyhood affects my audio sound negatively, based on this seller's description who sounds like he knows what he's talking about. The main thing I'm worried about is an electrical surge but the seller basically claims if there is a lightning strike no surge protector is going to prevent damage.

 

[hugz]

This seems like a very easy thing to test. Plug a piece of gear into a standard power strip (with circuit breakers, lights, etc) and then plug the piece of gear straight into the wall. Do you hear a difference? According to the description you should get a "drastic" change in sound.

I kinda doubt it though.

 

[infinitesymphony]

I'm eager to hear your results, Hershon2000. Coincidentally, I just started another thread focused on this same issue.

That Naim/Wiremold strip looks awfully similar to the ones used in my university's recording studios. They spent forever tweaking every aspect of those studios, including countless considerations for power. Assuming these are the same thing that the university chose, they should be great.

 

[HumanMedia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hershon2000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would appreciate anyones opinion on this, good or bad. I just bought for $50 on Ebay a Naim/Wiremold AC Strip which is described as follows: "This strip has nine hospital-grade sockets hardwired together; however, unlike the power strips available at hardware stores, there is no circuit breaker, noise filter, light, switch or fuse. Any one of these items will drastically reduce the system's musical performance. The Wiremold strip is the only strip that is free of these performance-robbing items, while providing a suitable number of outlets for even the largest Naim systems." Before I go on, I'm no shill & I just ordered this, it hasn't arrive yet, figuring for $50, I've got nothing to lose & my system isn't Naim. I've always plugged my equipment into power conditioners/surge protectors but was not aware that doing so in all likelyhood affects my audio sound negatively, based on this seller's description who sounds like he knows what he's talking about. The main thing I'm worried about is an electrical surge but the seller basically claims if there is a lightning strike no surge protector is going to prevent damage.

Technically they are right. In addition, ferrous components will also have a negative effect. Depends on your system and sense of hearing, if you will hear the difference, but with all of these tweaks the effect is cumulative.

 

[donthuang]

I doubt the TDA1543 chip

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Interesting. Do get back to us about the results.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Hershon2000, I have a question... What are your past experiences with power-related tweaks?

Let us know how it sounds when it arrives.

 

[khbaur330162]

I've got a modded Powervar 12 amp powerfilter/conditioner which has had all switches and lights disconnected for these very purposes. I'm not sure what improvement, if any, this power strip will have over plugging straight into a wall, but from the looks of things it should be just as if you were. If your hearing is sensitive enough I'm sure standard power strips could have negative play over the sound, however.

Many powerstrips have thin pieces of metal that are designed to burn up/melt during a power surge resulting in a disconnected contact disallowing current to pass through (and subsequently kill all your precious electronics). This thin foil can severely limit the amount of clean current that could flow from the outlet to your gear.

I, personally, have listened to my gear through a power strip and thought it sort of killed the sound. The complete and utter black background was gone, and overall the entire frequency spectrum sounded slightly muffled. Granted, a computer was hooked up to this same power strip, so take all that with a huge grain of salt.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

That's why we have audiophile-grade fuses.