Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Furutech FI-15M(G) Power Conditioner/Surge Protector by yoyo

Model:	FI-15M(G)
Category:	Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Suggested Retail Price:	$35
Description:	Gold plated copper made ac plug
Manufacturer URL:	Furutech
Model Picture:	View

Review by yoyo ( A ) on November 20, 2002 at 09:58:21
IP Address: 209.91.250.193

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for the FI-15M(G)

FURUTECH FI-15M and FI-15 are furutechs economy 20A 120volt power and IEC connectors. I own both the 24K gold plated and rhodium plated versions, and have used them with Supra cables LoRad power cables.
Physical description:
The metal parts of the connectors are made of PCOCC copper or non magnetic bronze, the clam shell like body is made of nylon. As far as I know this is the only copper power connectors in the market, and as it is well known that copper is a far better conductor that brass you can see the advantage of these connectors over the rest on the market. The kit comes with two inserts to be use with thin cables, two screws for closing the connector and securing the cable and one high quality copper spade to be attached to the ground connector.
The plating is smooth and appears of high quality and the connectors claus are large enough to accept upto 10ga. wire. Due to the clam ( I should say double clam)stayle of the body installation of the wire is very easy as the connectors and wire securing screws are exposed during assemble and not inside the policarbonate body as in other design. In addition the body has a coarse texture on the outside and ribs perpendicular to the body lenghth. Both features ease in connecting or disconnecting from the appliances or wall plug as they can e securely gripped by the user.
One additional exclusive feature present in the newest version of the connector is a copper "ring" at the back of the body that connects to the ground pole when the clamshell is closed. According to Furutech this helps eliminate RF in the connection. All in all this is a well thoughout product.
PCOCC copper. What is it?
This is according to the FURUTECH literature a high purity copper ( 7N's) of much better characteristics than OFC, extruded to whichever size in a sigle patented step. This is what Harmonic Technology calls "single crystal" and is exclusive to Furutech products. A copper part produced by this method has a lower oxygen content ( 1/10 or less) than OFC and also has a smoother surface resulting in an easier electron travel through the surface of the conductor than other grades of copper or other conducting materials.
Installation:
The installation of these was a snap!
Instructions for installation are printed on the inside of the connector's box. One proceeds to peel the wire to the prescribed lenghths, and with the body fully open the pos. and neg. wires are inserted in the poles and screw tightened. The provided copper spade is crimpped to the stripped ground cable and screw fastenned to the ground lug of the connector. The wires should not be tinned. After that the clam is closed until it snaps and the two supplied screws tightenned on the body until the cable is secured.
Use and sound:
I decided to try the FURUTECH connectors based on postings on AA that described them as providing the tightest contact pressure compared to others in the market. Well it is true. The connection is tight and secure more so than other connector which I will not name. They are also easier to hand grip than say watt**te due to the ribs in the body and rough casing. My experience with the other brand is that their smooth surface makes then harder to pull oof the connection, especially in tight quarters where the hand can not grab well.

I am very satisfied with the quality of the product and the effect on the sound.
Conclusion:
This products are veryyyy well engineered and made, and produce a noticeable improvement in the sound of the components ( not an imagined improvement)are the only ones made of ultra high quality cooper in the market and finished in gold or rhodium plating at prices that compare to the competition's low end products.
Go for them!!!
:-)
As for the sound. They have been used exclusively with the LoRad and the improvement in the sound has been noticeable. The a/c noise floor is now close to vanished, the music sounds no more open, relaxed and the bass has better definition and extension without being bloated.

Product Weakness: none
Product Strengths: ultra high quality materials, engineering and manufacture. The tightest connection, good clean sound that's free of harshness and a nice price to boot.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Adyton opera 60w. integrated amp.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	WTT classic modified, DACT CT-100 phono, TEAC VRDS T-1 and Monarchy 22A DAC.
Speakers:	AP Tempo I
Cables/Interconnects:	Supra Cables EFF-ISL interconnects, Trico digital and SWORD Speaker cables.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	symphonic, opera, jazz, latin, rock, not rap.
Room Size (LxWxH):	10 x 13 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	furniture, draping and art on the wall
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Supra Cables LoRad power cables, FURUTECH connectors and Furutech e-68 power conditioner
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	none
Product Strengths:	ultra high quality materials, engineering and manufacture. The tightest connection, good clean sound that's free of harshness and a nice price to boot.