Review: Porter Port AC Outlet Customized Hubbell 8300 Tweak


Category: Accessories

I continue to be an independent audiophile and have no association with any manufacturer or individuals whatsoever.

I believe all types of stereo equipment, including tweaks of all types, can be system-dependent. In addition, I also think audiophiles are capable of liking different products. Just because I prefer item A and you like item B does not mean one of us is wrong. We can agree to disagree over personal choices. My review is based upon listening results from my tube system and my solid state system.

Over the past several years, I’ve done an extensive amount of listening to my systems using the following outlets:
Wattgate 381 non-cryo’d / cryo’d, FIM non-cryo’d / cryo’d, PS Audio non-cryo’d, Furutech FP-2G non-cryo’d,
Acme Silver plated cryo’d, Leviton 8300 non-cryo’d / cryo’d, Hubbell 8300 non-cryo’d / cryo’d, Hubbell 5362 cryo’d, and the Porter Ports, a special order Hubbell 8300 that has no multi-layered bright nickel plating on the contacts and has the same higher impact resistance thermoplastic polyester face as the Hubbell 8300’s do.

I do very much like the Wattgate 381 and the Furutech FP-2G (both of them are gold plated). In my systems I prefer to save them for special occasions when I desire that special smooth sound for a specific component that requires it. By the way, I don’t recommending cryogenically treating anything that is gold or gold plated. I never heard an improvement. If anything, I’d say it degraded the sound a bit.

While I do hear vast amounts of improvement using all the other cryo’d outlets that I mentioned, I believe the Porter Port edged out all my other outlets. I believe it has something to do with the fact that the contacts are not nickel plated and the outlet is treated by a long computer-controlled cryo immersion as opposed to a long computer-controlled cryo vapor.

Here’s what I heard: All of the well-recorded CD’s I listened to (that I use for demo comparison purposes) sounded as if the volume had been turned up one or two clicks. There was more detail in the lows, mids and highs. I heard a sweeter timbre and background accompaniment. The sound was not harsh, and there is a wider and more dimensional soundstage with a deep, fast bass. There is a very black background that reveals the detail in a very positive manner, even when listening at very quiet levels.

When I received the Porter Ports, I was doubtful that I would hear any change compared to my other cryogenically treated outlets because of the AC power filtration systems that I am currently using. However, I was shocked and surprised by the performance of these outlets. I highly recommend the Porter Ports.

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Showing 1 response by wdi

After reading Lak's and HDM's comments in other threads regarding the benefits of unplated Hubbell outlets, I also bought a couple of the Porter Ports to try; and at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, was in awe.

I have to say that I'm usually skeptical regarding claims of this magnitude; and with most tweaks (if this is really just a tweak) I'm usually left wondering why I'm not hearing any difference. But once these things finally burned in, I realized that my modest system had finally attained the fullness, clarity, and focus that I knew had been lacking; and at a measly $36 per outlet.

Prior to Porter Ports, my system was shrill, edgy, and was painfully lacking body and bass. This had me baffled considering my Rotel amp and the Cambridge Audio CD player I was using at the time are usually described as being warm.

My first Porter Port replaced the builder grade outlet at the wall, and the second went into a power box I put together to replace a cheap power strip, so I’ll admit that I don’t have the experience of comparing multiple audiophile outlets.

But the improvement attained far exceeded my expectations and now whenever I read other threads where people are rushing to spend $$$ replacing equipment and cables, but haven’t tried a $36 outlet, I want to scream; but perhaps I might sound hyperbolic, so I don’t.