Hi Khaki8; A "water ground" usually refers to grounding to a cold water pipe. I can see where this may be the best or only option in an apartment building. Last summer I had four dedicated duplex outlets installed with a dedicated ground that went to three 6 ft. copper grounding rods driven into the ground about 10 ft. from the outlets-- but then I'm in a single family house. As I understand it, water pipe grounds are very common, especially in older installations, but I think a true earth ground is preferred. As to the outlets, it's hard to tell what your "orange jobs" are. I used Hubbell audiophile grade outlets from The Cable Co. in Penn.-- they were 2 for $25. An option often often used is hospital grade outlets which are of higher quality than regular old residential grade outlets. Wattgate are some pretty expensive outlets, and I don't know that you need to go that far. My dedicated sub-main box, outlets, and ground dramatically lowered noise floor, but my system then became too bright, and this was only corrected with high quality power cords on my four main components. I used Syn. Res. Master Couplers. Happy Tweaking. Craig.
Isolated ground for dedicated line
My electrician recently installed 2 dedicated lines with an islolated water ground. He said the FIM outlets that I bought wouldn't work and I got some sort of orange ones. It lowered the noise floor nicely. What is different about a water ground(I live in Manhattan in an apartment) and are there high quality outlets that would be better?