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I posted this on the Skiing Ninja's forum, but I figured that I'd post it here as well. I had read a couple of places about how useful it could be to replace the receptacles that are used with your audio and video equipment. The posts I'd read were mostly about hospital grade outlets, but I wanted to start out w/ something in between hospital grade and the <$1 ones that are currently in my 12 year old house. So, I went to ACE Hardware and got the $2.50 Leviton preferred 15 amp (since this appears to be what my house uses) receptacles and over time have put them into all of my audio systems. I must say that I'm very pleasantly surprised with such a cheap receptacle. The overall sound is more detailed and powerful in each system. There was somewhat of an improvement w/ video (Samsung 67"), though not as much as I'd have hoped for.
But the biggest difference is w/ the subs (UFW-12 and Mini's powered woofers). As anyone who has listened to either can attest, these are not the punchiest or loudest subs. For me, I've been sorely disappointed when watching movies as most of the low end just plain sucks. But with the change of receptacles, my UFW can now hang w/ the rest of the system. I've got it in a larger room, and I can now feel the bass pulse through the room. Certainly never did that before. It's also started to excite room nodes that I didn't know where there before. And with the Mini's, the drums finally have some punch to them, and the bass is more articulate than before. And this is all at the same volumes for both the Mini's and the UFW-12.
So, big improvement for me. Probably the most cost effective change I've made in my systems. Not quite at the same level as, say, doing the Ninja mods, but those cost at least 100x more than a different receptacle.
As a warning, don't play w/ the electricity and receptacles in your house if you don't know exactly what you're doing. While the risk of fires and getting shocked is small, it is still possible (e.g. by using a 20 amp receptacle on a 15 amp line). So, get an electrician if you don't feel comfortable.
But the biggest difference is w/ the subs (UFW-12 and Mini's powered woofers). As anyone who has listened to either can attest, these are not the punchiest or loudest subs. For me, I've been sorely disappointed when watching movies as most of the low end just plain sucks. But with the change of receptacles, my UFW can now hang w/ the rest of the system. I've got it in a larger room, and I can now feel the bass pulse through the room. Certainly never did that before. It's also started to excite room nodes that I didn't know where there before. And with the Mini's, the drums finally have some punch to them, and the bass is more articulate than before. And this is all at the same volumes for both the Mini's and the UFW-12.
So, big improvement for me. Probably the most cost effective change I've made in my systems. Not quite at the same level as, say, doing the Ninja mods, but those cost at least 100x more than a different receptacle.
As a warning, don't play w/ the electricity and receptacles in your house if you don't know exactly what you're doing. While the risk of fires and getting shocked is small, it is still possible (e.g. by using a 20 amp receptacle on a 15 amp line). So, get an electrician if you don't feel comfortable.
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