The Pass & Seymours are recommended by Bob Crump of T.G. Audio. He has done extensive listening test with almost every available outlet and recommends the Pass & Seymour 5242. Cost, about $5.00 !!! What makes one outlet sound better than others is a factor of how the contact elements make physical contact with the blades on the AC plug and the materials used for insulation. I think that the insulating materials are what gives the outlets most of their sonic characteristics. I've been testing several outlets in my home because I've been building Bob Crumps DIY power cables. I've found that different outlets from the same manf. sound different even though the contact elements seem to be the same. The only difference seems to be the insulation materials so that is how I've come to this conclusion. As far as using straight Romex into the equipment, I would say part of the job of the power cord is shielding related. Going straight Romex would definintely eleminate any voltage drop across the cord but you would have a hell of time wiring 12Ga Solid Romex into you equipment. :) I would tend to agree with the idea though. No connector is the better than a direct connection.
