Very Old Surge Power Strip- Can It Degrade Sound?

James Edward · June 07, 2021, 04:39:46 AM

I was over a friend's house recently, and though he had all good equipment, somehow the sum was less than the parts. Pass Labs power/pre, Lampizator DAC, Oppo player, SR power cords and interconnects, etc.
Powering it all was a 25 year old RadioShack surge protector strip. It had an on/off switch, indicator lights...
My feeling is that it is not up to the task at hand, or that there may be parts in there that have degraded (MOV's).
Thoughts?
I should say he is amenable to change; I just wanted to verify with some others.
Thanks.

Nick B · June 07, 2021, 08:05:06 AM

I would think it very likely to be degrading the sound. Do you have a power strip or line conditioning device to take over to his place? That is some good equipment he has.
Nick

rollo · June 07, 2021, 08:57:47 AM

Absolutely does. I modded mine and still got rid of it. I have a Gigawatt power strip and Gigawatt Power demo conditioners for sale if your buddy is interested. He can try them out.

charles

James Edward · June 07, 2021, 08:58:35 AM

I recommended he get this- no lights, switches, or filtration. Wiremold L10320.
Straight from the tap so to speak.

P.I. · June 07, 2021, 09:29:33 AM

Hello? Is this thing working?

Hello...

MiniBUSS

steve · June 07, 2021, 08:59:40 PM

The fact that it is Radio Shack leaves me wondering and wanting to bypass it for a test.

I would also wish a wall or power strip listening test, wall outlets being preferable.

cheers

steve

James Edward · June 08, 2021, 02:26:57 AM

Quote from: steve on June 07, 2021, 08:59:40 PM
The fact that it is Radio Shack leaves me wondering and wanting to bypass it for a test.

I would also wish a wall or power strip listening test, wall outlets being preferable.

cheers

steve

Now I'm curious- what do you mean Steve? I get the test/bypass part, but what is it about the RadioShack brand that has you intrigued?
I could probably mail this relic to you for some lab work if you like...
I'm not close enough to get back over to my friend's house for an A/B test anytime soon, and will be relying on his impressions regarding a replacement. I will post them here.
Thanks all.

James Edward · July 05, 2021, 10:44:50 AM

I haven’t been over to his place yet, but my friend says his sound is much improved after replacing the ancient surge protector with the featureless(no switch, no light, no circuit breaker, no filter) strip.
I’ll have to listen for myself…

Nick B · July 05, 2021, 10:52:27 AM

Quote from: James Edward on July 05, 2021, 10:44:50 AM
I haven't been over to his place yet, but my friend says his sound is much improved after replacing the ancient surge protector with the featureless(no switch, no light, no circuit breaker, no filter) strip.
I'll have to listen for myself...

Makes sense. Fewer poor quality parts to get in the way. He's not interested in Dave's products??

James Edward · July 05, 2021, 11:09:43 AM

I am interested in the MiniBuss. I looked on the PI site and am intrigued.

Nick B · July 05, 2021, 12:20:07 PM

Quote from: James Edward on July 05, 2021, 11:09:43 AM
I am interested in the MiniBuss. I looked on the PI site and am intrigued.

Well, I think of my UberBUSS as the foundation for my system. Nobody is prying it out of my hands!

StereoNut · July 05, 2021, 01:32:41 PM

Quote from: P.I. on June 07, 2021, 09:29:33 AM
Hello? Is this thing working?

Hello...

MiniBUSS

🤣🤣🤣

steve · July 06, 2021, 07:26:17 AM

Quote from: James Edward on June 08, 2021, 02:26:57 AM
Quote from: steve on June 07, 2021, 08:59:40 PM
The fact that it is Radio Shack leaves me wondering and wanting to bypass it for a test.

I would also wish a wall or power strip listening test, wall outlets being preferable.

cheers

steve
Now I'm curious- what do you mean Steve? I get the test/bypass part, but what is it about the RadioShack brand that has you intrigued?
I could probably mail this relic to you for some lab work if you like...
I'm not close enough to get back over to my friend's house for an A/B test anytime soon, and will be relying on his impressions regarding a replacement. I will post them here.
Thanks all.

Hi Pete,

I have found over the years that Radio Shack tends to source low quality parts. Not all, but many if not most.
The parts within the power strip may be of lower purity adn diversity of materials. In fact, I have found even better quality strips degrade the sound quality of my system. But I understand finances, WAF are a consideration for many.

Another area that demonstrates the above are the materials used in resistors. Carbon, oxide, metal film, bulk foil, different materials and terminations affect the sonics of different type of resistors.

cheers

steve