Taiko Audio SGM Extreme : the Crème de la Crème
- Thread starter CKKeung
- Start date
Not easy to find neutral receptacles, but I'm currently using Cardas which aren't too expensive. Oyaide, Furu, everything has it's own sound!
So the power is transferred wirelessly to the sockets ?
There must be a wire OR a copper bar to transfer current tothe sockets .
If there is a copper bar for Phase , neutral and ground I will be even more interested in buying it
Edit.
yes copper bar !
Please sign me on the waiting list
second that, did anyone try the copper version sold under the Viborg brand? (haven't gotten around to that, they are fairly new IMO)
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/schu...huko-plug-pure-copper-250vac-16a-p-15925.html
Yes however we’re at the mercy of the company doing the surface finishing. They were 2 weeks late for the last batch of chrome finished switches and 4 weeks for black. I suspect we’re sending them larger quantities then they expected.
It is only a matter of time before you do the surface finishing in house.
@Taiko Audio
Have you come up with a decision regarding the integration of an AP into the router?
It would be really neat to have an all-in-one solution!
I can't speak for Schuko receptacles, but I've been using Viborg AC plugs and IEC connectors for years on DIY cable projects. I'm pleased to finally see someone like Emile say flat out that rhodium receptacles are poor performers. Caelin Gabriel told me the same thing many years ago. (Audiophile fascination with rhodium should have died long ago!) I've used Furutech plugs made of copper and silver (FI-48) as well as gold plated copper and think the Viborg products are every bit their equal at a far lower cost. Very high quality fit and finish.
As far as receptacles, I've outfitted my music room as a lab for AC receptacles of numerous metals/brands that offer a great advantage in that I can simply swap plugs into numerous receptacles for instantaneous comparisons (see post #4)
Fun with Metallurgy
I’m been meaning to write this up for a while and now it seems like the sort of essay whose length is more suited for an assignment on “what I did on my summer vacation”. When I built my home a few years ago, I had enough foresight to know I should provide plenty of flexibility for the power...
www.whatsbestforum.com
The bottom line is that Shunyata CopperCONNs are my receptacle of choice but I am not sure they are commercially available unless you buy a Shunyata conditiioner. However, good old 8200 Hubbell connectors are easy to find and are nearly their equal. (Those contacts are brass, which is an alloy that contains about 70% copper). Also note that anything using pure copper is subject to corrosion which is why any receptacle that is made with copper contacts are generally flashed with nickel (as in Shunyata's case) or gold. Viborg makes receptacles with "Red Copper" contacts but I have no experience with those. I can't even figure out what "Red Copper" is! (It may refer to a red ore variant known as cuprite, but I am not sure.)
One of the things I've learned about metals and cables is that while everyone pays great attention to what metal is being used in their cable of choice, few pay attention to what I think is of equal importance, which is namely, the metal connector that your cable is plugged into. In the case of the Extreme, Emile told me their IEC chassis termination is an Oyaide 004 IEC male connector. An Oyaide 004 connector uses connectors made from beryllium copper that is polished twice. Then, a layer of platinum (.5 micron) is plated directly onto this polished surface, and the polishing process is again applied twice. Next, the 004 receives the final Palladium plating (0.3 micron), and is again polished twice. The combination of these polishing processes, platings, and thicknesses of platings ultimately leads to the final sound character. Therefore I currently use a custom AC cable with an Oyaide 004 IEC female connector to avoid any adverse dissimilar metal interaction with the 004 IEC receptacle used in the Extreme. This works very well for me.
Although I replied to a query about Viborg plugs/connectors in this thread, it would probably be best for any cable discussion that does not pertain specifically to the Extreme to be continued elsewhere. There are many such threads to choose from.
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I'm a longer time user of the Viborg 'red copper' Schuko power plugs, and RCA connectors, and totally agree with the idea that Rhodium has no place on any audio connector. We did some comparisons with various precious metals and the sonic fingerprint of each and every one of them is clearly audible whether that is on a connector or somewhere else.
The Viborg red copper are named to indicate that it's not brass nor tellurium copper, but just copper...sure it'll oxidize but taking out the plug and pushing it back in a couple of times cures typically cures that.
Will try the Schuko wall receptacle soon, currently using an Oyaide for the balanced transformer.
The Viborg red copper are named to indicate that it's not brass nor tellurium copper, but just copper...sure it'll oxidize but taking out the plug and pushing it back in a couple of times cures typically cures that.
Will try the Schuko wall receptacle soon, currently using an Oyaide for the balanced transformer.
So what are the best sockets now ?
I use Furutech rhodium and as far as I remember they were better than gold plated 10 years ago.
Not sure if that is important but I am in EU so 230v .
Furutech NCF is Rhodium plated copper……
Emile so you do not recommend to use p12, p15 , p20 and pure power6 ?
its better straight to the wall or best to the (non yet existent on the market ) Taiko socket splitter ?
You have to be more specific when referring to "NCF" anything by Furutech. NCF stands for "Nano Crystal Formula" NCF terminations and plugs can comprise any number of metals. Their rhodium connectors were the earliest popularized as "NCF", but they now make a broad range of NCF terminations with rhodium, silver, and gold-plated copper contacts.
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@Taiko Audio
Have you come up with a decision regarding the integration of an AP into the router?
It would be really neat to have an all-in-one solution!
In the works.
Thank you,
l was not aware of that as the wall sockets from NCF are only rhodium plated in my area.
Could not find any other type.
So for the wall sockets Oyaide and Viborg both copper only are current recommendation of Taiko users ? Furutech gold not as good ?
Well YMMV. The P20 used to be a very good addition in our prior rooms, but with this very “direct” powerline we have now it’s negative. I don’t think this is something which is realistically attainable though, having this available was one of the deciding factors in buying the building…
Gigawatt also makes schucko outlets and wall sockets Did you try that ?
Thise are more expensive than Furutech gold, or Viborg.
Viborg then as Oyaide doesn’t manufacture unplated “copper” Schuko outlets, the ones they do both contain a layer of gold plating.
Shunyata Copper-Conn receptacles might be worth a try. Not sure but I would think Shunyata Research would also offer Copper-Conn construction in their non-North American outlets.
(Posted before I read your very complete post @marty !)
Steve Z
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