My $1.99 upgrade: a new wall socket!

Tweakers' Asylum

Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

I live in an apt. bldg. built in the late 80's. All the electrical outlets are those cheap ones with only the push-in terminals for the Romex wire (I've been told they are no longer legal around here). Well I've had a couple of them fail so I started replacing them preemptively. The ones I bought are just standard grade Levitons with the side clamps, $1.99 ea. at Home Depot. They had some for .59¢ but I splurged on the better ones.

Well when I replaced the outlet my system is on....dang! Best bang for buck (well two bucks) upgrade I've ever done. I mean the skies didn't part, mountains didn't crumble or anything, but the noise floor definitely dropped a few db. The imaging also crept up an appreciable amount.

I can only imagine what the connection in those crappy old sockets is like being just a pinch point on the Romex, probably without much clamping pressure. Add in 30 yrs. of oxidation.

And before you ask; I could've asked mgmt. to take care of it, but rent is cheap it's a "don't rock the boat" kind of complex where a few repairs here and there are worth keeping them away. Plus I really don't want them to see my listening "room treatments" if you know what I mean.

-Dogwan

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Topic - My $1.99 upgrade: a new wall socket! - dogwan 15:09:49 12/15/10 (9)

Update, this killed my radio station... - dogwan 23:00:56 12/16/10 (2)

RE: Update, this killed my radio station... - Mike B. 08:09:52 12/17/10 (0)

RE: Update, this killed my radio station... - benie 02:58:15 12/17/10 (0)

You mean... - QuadTodd 22:42:58 12/16/10 (1)

Hahaha, YES! - dogwan 22:48:25 12/16/10 (0)

RE: My $1.99 upgrade: a new wall socket! - jimmyjames 07:10:50 12/16/10 (0)

The long slippery slope begins, LOL . - RickeyM 21:16:59 12/15/10 (0)

The cheap Eagle brand sound better. nt - Norm 17:29:29 12/15/10 (0)

So treat yourself - bartc 15:43:23 12/15/10 (0)

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