Furutech NCF AC Plugs: Gold vs Rhodium Reviewed!

[buzzlulu]

The Torus removed some noise that you attributed to the sound of rhodium

Perhaps you misunderstood. In the scenario of employing the Torus the chain was:

GTX-D Rhodium, NCF Wall plate, NCF outlet cover > Furutech FI-50 NCF R plug - DPS 4.1- FI-50 NCF R IEC > Torus
and then the Amplifier plugged into the Torus.

In other words, theoretically, the Torus was receiving EVERYTHING Furutech has to offer, a rhodium outlet, NCF wall plated outlet cover, Rhodium plug, DPS cable, Rhodium IEC. The amplifier was then plugged into the Torus.

The above was compared to simply removing the Torus from the equation and going ALL Furutech direct into the amplifier. It was here that, despite the clarity and noise reduction, there was something off with the tonality (Rhodium) and things were a touch leaner.

You seem to feel NCF is a big game changer for noise. If one were to use a different outlet, ie a Hubbell, with the NCF plate and cover, would the noise reduction effects be noticeable and signifiant? Does Furutech make any other duplex outlets which are not Rhodium or Gold plated?

 

[Cellcbern]

I haven’t tried the ETI Legato outlets. They weren’t available the last time I was buying outlets. The only outlets I’ve used are Oyaide R1 and the GTX-D Rhodium NCF, each with the matching aluminum housing and graphite cover. The two sound totally different. If you like one, you won’t like the other. I had the two in adjoining outlets in my old house and could switch easily between them. The GTX has what I consider a familiar Furutech Rhodium sound—detailed but cool, lean, slightly bright and somewhat analytical or clinical. The R1 is warmer, has softer leading edges in transients, and is more forward and more dynamic. Similar to the Gold Legato connectors versus FI-50 NCF connectors. For my tastes, the R1 is more natural and more musical.

I know @DaveC has very different views of Rhodium. He and I have disagreed on this forum about this in the past, and I have no desire to rehash things again. Suffice it to say each person should make up his or her own mind by actually trying different products. Not everyone agrees that Furutech Rhodium is the way to go.

I use the Oyaide R1 with WPC-Z aluminum base and carbon fiber cover as the wall outlet and a mix of Furutech GTX-D and ETI Legato gold plated duplexes in my power conditioner. I have not experienced any negatives from the dissimilar plating, and having the two different duplexes in my power conditioner has been a benefit in terms of synergizing power cables and components. I also replaced the OEM Oyaide 046 AC connectors on my Echole Omnia power cable with ETI Legato gold which improved both resolution and musicality. My experience does not support Dave's views on either dissimilar plating or Rhodium. Rhodium plating has sounded sterile and amusical to me in every combination I've tried, which is why I banished it from my system. My Allnic ZL5000 power cable has nickel plated contacts, and my Hemingway power cable has platinum and paladium plated contacts. I've experinced no audible issues using them in either the Oyaide R1 wall outlet, or the power conditioner's gold pated outlets.

 

[buzzlulu]

I use the Oyaide R1 with WPC-Z aluminum base and carbon fiber cover as the wall outlet and a mix of Furutech GTX-D

Salectric described the R1 as:

“The GTX has what I consider a familiar Furutech Rhodium sound—detailed but cool, lean, slightly bright and somewhat analytical or clinical. The R1 is warmer, has softer leading edges in transients, and is more forward and more dynamic”

@Cellcbern How would you compare the Oyaide to the GTX-D R? GTX-D G (although perhaps you have not tried this version?)

As you know, I have pulled out the R and I’m now playing with the GTX-D Gold version. I can see how the gold may mask something some things however I’m still not in a position to tell after only 75 hours.

I’m wondering, since I have already been through two outlets, if I should just go for a triple header and try the Oyaide

Thanks

 

[Cellcbern]

Salectric described the R1 as:

“The GTX has what I consider a familiar Furutech Rhodium sound—detailed but cool, lean, slightly bright and somewhat analytical or clinical. The R1 is warmer, has softer leading edges in transients, and is more forward and more dynamic”

@Cellcbern How would you compare the Oyaide to the GTX-D R? GTX-D G (although perhaps you have not tried this version?)

As you know, I have pulled out the R and I’m now playing with the GTX-D Gold version. I can see how the gold may mask something some things however I’m still not in a position to tell after only 75 hours.

I’m wondering, since I have already been through two outlets, if I should just go for a triple header and try the Oyaide

Thanks

 

[Cellcbern]

Salectric described the R1 as:

“The GTX has what I consider a familiar Furutech Rhodium sound—detailed but cool, lean, slightly bright and somewhat analytical or clinical. The R1 is warmer, has softer leading edges in transients, and is more forward and more dynamic”

@Cellcbern How would you compare the Oyaide to the GTX-D R? GTX-D G (although perhaps you have not tried this version?)

As you know, I have pulled out the R and I’m now playing with the GTX-D Gold version. I can see how the gold may mask something some things however I’m still not in a position to tell after only 75 hours.

I’m wondering, since I have already been through two outlets, if I should just go for a triple header and try the Oyaide

Thanks

Can't really head to head compare the R1 with the GTX-D (G) because the former is the wall duplex and the latter are in my power conditioner. I bought the R1 before the GTX-D was released. If I replaced the R1 it would be with the ETI Legato gold. I haven't done that because the Legato doesn't fit the WPC-Z base/cover, and because overall I'm happy with the R1. In my previous version of the Bybee Stealth Power Purifier I had two Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplexes, and two GTX-D (G). I found the rhodium plated version to be unlistenable (cool/clinical/bright) and only used the gold outlets. When I upgraded to the Dark Matter Steath I ordered the GTX-D gold/ETI Legato gold combo. To my ears the ETI Legato gold gives up nothing to the GTX-D NCF(R) when it comes to attack and resolution and has none of its shortcomings. The GTX-D(G) is a touch warmer and "softer" than the Legato gold, but for my purposes that's a benefit because it provides flexibiity when it comes to PC and component matching.

 

[Kingrex]

Also, for those using Hubbel and other "hospital grade" receptacles, at best they scratch the electrical contacts on male plugs and at worst they go right through the plating and put a big gauge into the cocontacts.

I do find it annoying when I talk about cleaning contacts and someone chimes in, plug it in and out to scratch the surface clean.

You most definitely don't want scratches on your metal surfaces. That is why I use polish after using 2000 grit paper. 2000 grit leaves a very rough surface. I think my polish is around 5000 grit.

I have at times pondered, can I get something stiff enough, but thin enough into the blades of a hubbell to polish them. Even if I could, the issue remains on how to clean the polish off in such a small space.

I have rarely encountered Hubbell that score the blades of a plug. But it can happen. I think cord ends with burs on the blades cause more damage to duplex. If you chew up the deplex with a cheap cord, the duplex will then ruin your good cords.

 

[DonH50]

Jeweler's or spark plug files are what I used in the past to clean electrical outlet (or cord) contacts. Stiff enough is still a problem as the thinnest files in my set are (were, not sure where the set is now) thinner and about almost as flexible (i.e. flimsy) as a sheet of paper (IIRC my set was almost invisible 5 mils to 100 mils). Not a good idea for plated contacts, natch, since they tend to take off the plating.