Many audiophiles think nothing of spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars on products that lurk in and around the upgrade corner. From various exotic footers and cones to sand filled boxes and stands that have varying degrees of efficacy, we now have another class of device that promises great sonic improvements to add to the tweaker's bag of tricks. Various companies, including PS Audio and Monster, to name a few, have many products in which to plug your equipment for cleaner, purer power resulting in a more pleasing sonic presentation. I'm currently using Monster's HTS-2000 power strip/filter for my own system.

In my audio vocation and avocation, I am privileged to speak to many manufacturers, other reviewers and audiophile friends. Several have mentioned Acme Audio Labs duplex wall outlets with some passion. And as a trusted friend insisted I try it, the temptation and audio 'buzz' proved too much.

Acme Audio Labs, based in Eugene, Oregon produces and sells several interesting products. The one reviewed herein is the 15amp 125volt duplex wall outlet. For $40.00US you get a 'Cryogenically-treated', silver-plated duplex wall outlet. In addition, the elements are made of high content brass (at least 70% copper), which is also better for conductivity. The cryogenic process is designed to rearrange the molecular structure by immersing it in liquid nitrogen, around minus 400 degrees F! ACME uses JENA Labs and Kimber Cable for their cryogenic processing. The result of this frigid bath appears to improve the flow of electrons, or so we're told.

Now, what does all this mean for our intrepid audiophile? It takes a rather mundane and forgotten part and elevates it to an important role, making the listener aware of its contribution to the sonic picture. Installation is very straightforward. Just remove the wall outlet you are using and replace it exactly the way it was originally installed. Don't forget to shut down the electricity before you try this. If you're a little nervous about doing this ask an electrician or local handyman. It should take less than five minutes. The benefits will be worthwhile. According to the manufacturer, the unit needs thirty days to fully achieve its performance level. Something about the molecules aligning or the earth achieving its proper orbit. Who knows? Trek on.

So, what is to be gained from this somewhat nebulous step? Skepticism, be damned! Yet, it was peering over my shoulder quite cynically. Was this another case of "The Emperor's New Clothes"? For $40.00US, I took a chance. My first reaction after installation was one of piqued interest. I know I had just installed it and 30 days is what the manufacturer required, but something was definitely different. Was I really hearing a quieter background? Was the sonic presentation more relaxed, less aggressive? I walked away and told myself, wait the 30 days and come back and start critical listening. Well, you and I both know this was not going to happen. Who could wait that long? I left things on for about a week, 24 hours a day, and did some brief listening. Something was definitely happening and it was all good. What I said earlier about quieter background and an ease of presentation was even more apparent. What was also becoming more apparent was that instead of a flat, two dimensional, black background one typically hears, was a background that was characterized by a blackness that had a three dimensional spatiality to it engendering a feeling of anticipation and excitement.

What did this all mean? What did the music sound like? Isn't that the point? After much to'ing and fro'ing, I decided to be patient and wait the full 30 days before doing my serious listening evaluation (with intermittent sessions after two and three weeks).

Rather than giving you some specifics on each piece of music I played, I focused on the general sonic characteristics that developed from using the ACME outlet in my system. The most obvious result of its use was hearing a more relaxed and natural sonic presentation. Individual instruments had more separation, with accompanying greater clarity and bloom. Inner detail improved and the soundstage expanded allowing one to hear or 'see' further into the music. This cryogenic stuff appears to really work.

Thus, the ACME outlet had a positive effect on my system, not of the 'jaw dropping' variety but more 'pleasantly surprised'. I know that there are many products out there of the power conditioning/purifying type that claim all kinds of magic and for 'mucho' bucks, some are worth it and some not, but for the price of an audiophile CD, I can recommend you try Acme Audio Labs' wall outlet. You can't go wrong.

Keep listening.