[twitch54]

You said, "In the above, if 2 different outlets gave different subjective presentations, is one or both of them malfunctioning?"

The answer is, providing both have good solid electrical and physical connections- they would be good. The change in presentation could be a result of one run from the breaker box to the outlet being longer than the other.

Could it not also be the possibility of the two outlets being on different circuits and possibly different 'downlegs' from your breaker box, one of which has various noise making devices on it. Such as dimmer switches, compressor motors, etc , FWIW, I have isolated these devices to one leg only, not 100% sure if I wasted my time doing it though ??  !!

[Occam]

Dave,

Thanks for the answer. And yes, IMO, by putting your noisy appliances one one leg of your split single phase power, different from the one running your AV kit, you've done as much as one can do with standard mains wiring to (impedance wise) distance you AV from those noise sources.

As to my question, it wasn't a trick question, and obviously, I should have far clearer that the outlets were on the same circuit, with their wiring exactly the same. But this is not the proper Circle, or thread to pursue it. When I gather my wits (possibly a very long wait  ) I'll bring it up in the Lab circle.

Regards,
Paul

[Niteshade]

The thread has been picked up in the lab. 

[Les Lammers]

I am 'old school' regarding power cords too. *I* have found they make the biggest difference on digital source components. Probably because they do not pass nasties from the AC or block EMI/RFI. I have not found much difference with power cords on any of the tube amps I have owned. *I* think a lot depends on where you are on the grid etc. I buy 'em used and lose little if they don't work out. Science? I dunno about that. I do think there is a lof of Voo Doo. 

[werd]

Hi Folks

I remember the days when i used to be doing the garage band thing, dragging my phono jack cable from my bass to the my amp across the floor. The crackling and screeching was very abrasive (especially on carpet), due large in part to the very low quality phono cable we used back then. This represents an extreme but none the less real condition present from using poor cables. Static was the culprit and one of the various reasons why cable attention shouldnt be ignored. RFI/EMI has only gotten worse now with our dependence on wireless/digital interfacing also.

The question whether there is a diff or not is undeniable, the real question is ... if you care or not. Some folks get by with stock cables and thats all fine. I personally like what my shunyatas do and cant be swayed by any arguments.

That and a buck and half will get you on the bus, just all imo