New MIT 20A Z Duplex Outlet

MrBuhl

Picked up a new MIT 20amp filtered outlet this week as well. Got what I think is a pretty great deal on the 'bay through AudionerdUSA.

Planning to install it on the McCormack/Audible Illusions 20amp circuit and see what happens - those two 20amp circuits I had installed only have standard duplex outlets on them right now. I'm sure they are pop in reno boxes.

I've seen a few threads with comments about fitting the outlet into the boxes being an issue - anyone have some advance (advice)? Looks and reads like they are designed to be plug and play. (pic is of the 15A - but the sale was for a 20A)

Who knows, if it sounds good I may grab another for the other side!

pitdogg2

Well it is hard to tell the depth of the outlet front to back. Depending on the depth of the wall box you may or may not be OK. Most areas have a code to how much room inside the box you need as you do not want to cram too much wire in too small of a box. Too much in too small of a box creates too much strain on outlet and box.

MrBuhl

Gotcha - I think! I think the outlet is delivered today, so I'll have to pull it out and measure both to see what kind of clearance I have. The good thing is they are dedicated lines, so there's just one wire in to each box.

tonyb

My take would be they might throw a blanket over the sound of the amp. Isn't that kinda like putting a power conditioner directly on the outlet, thus the amp ?

MrBuhl

^^ definitely a concern @tonyb ^^ though the reviews don't seem to say so (Six Moons gave it a whirl) we shall see - the best test is our own ears right? I figured coming from MIT it should be well executed and worth a listen at the price I nabbed it for - can always turn and burn for the same if not.

F1nut

If the box is an old metal type I doubt it will fit as they are pretty shallow. If so, change it to a new blue box and it'll fit.

MrBuhl

Well, installed this when it arrive about two weeks ago, and I have to say, it definitely lowered the noise floor on that circuit, it was a tight fit in the box, (luckily I already had the new blue boxes), but it fits.

It does seem to operate as advertised, lower noise floor, I'd say about 50% less hum than previously (basically inaudible now from my seating postion). Can still be heard with an ear up to the speaker though. Doesn't seem to have veiled the sound any, everything still sounds crystal clear.

I'm pretty pleased with it honestly - and it grips those heavy Magic Power cables in a death grip, no more sagging.

F1nut

What is this hum you speak of?

MrBuhl

LOL Jesse, yes, there is a very faint hum, I'm assuming a ground loop somewhere in that one new 20A circuit. (Nothing in the other one though). I've not been able to track it down, but this outlet seemed to help quite a bit. I welcome ideas of course tho!

F1nut

What is plugged into that outlet?

Nightfall

MrBuhl wrote: »

it was a tight fit in the box

...ahhh. Too easy. /walks away

MrBuhl

I'm offended.

MrBuhl

F1nut wrote: »

What is plugged into that outlet?

How did I miss that - sorry! There is the McCormack amp and the Audible Illusions preamp. All of the peripherals run on a different household circuit.

F1nut

Can you plug one of those into a different circuit?

MrBuhl

Definitely - I'll give that a try this weekend!

kharp1

Interesting thread. I'm kind of dealing with a hum out of my Marsh a200 amp, though not bad, still there and therefore annoying to me. Look forward to reading what you find out.

MrBuhl

So the plot thickens - @F1nut you seem to have discovered something and I'm sure you're not surprised.

I moved the Audible Illusions preamp to the outlet on one of the "regular" basement circuits (and off of the 20 amp that I had installed) which leaves the McCormack on the 20amp by itself and the hum has left the building with Elvis!

I'm happy - but what gives?

F1nut

The likely cause is the ground potential between two pieces are not identical. Plug the pre amp back into the same outlet with the amp using a cheater plug on the pre amp. If the hum is still gone remove the cheater plug, the hum should return.