installing 7 Furutech GTX-D NFC (R) outlets this morning

PeterA said:

Two guys in my Boston area audio group used to listen much more to analog. After purchasing or modifying their DACs, they are listening to a lot of digital now. I don't actually know if they prefer one over the other anymore. As an all analog guy, I admit that it has me wondering. Digital has gotten extremely good lately.

Back on topic. I am thinking of replacing my three Furutech IEC connectors with the latest NFC model. I don't have any wall outlets or plates in my system.

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PeterA said:

Two guys in my Boston area audio group used to listen much more to analog. After purchasing or modifying their DACs, they are listening to a lot of digital now. I don't actually know if they prefer one over the other anymore. As an all analog guy, I admit that it has me wondering. Digital has gotten extremely good lately.

Back on topic. I am thinking of replacing my three Furutech IEC connectors with the latest NFC model. I don't have any wall outlets or plates in my system.

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Joe Pittman said:

All of the NCF versions are Rhodium plated. I personally no longer use the Gold any more and rarely get any requests for it. As far as I know, Rhodium has been outselling Gold by quite a bit over the last couple years, so it doesn't surprise me that the new NCF series is only available in Rhodium. Every one of my customers consider the Rhodium to be more neutral than Gold. I suppose if demand is high enough, Furutech will offer the NCF series in Gold, but I have not heard if they are going to do that.

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DaveC said:

I've heard RtR crush digital, but otoh a digital rip of the RtR is very, very difficult to identify from the original. Something to think about...

I recommend adding as much NCF as your budget allows. IECs are generally very easy to switch out, but a bit of filing and/or a couple of small drill holes may be required as the sizes and bolt hole patterns are not standardized, and some, including the Furutech can be front or back mounted. If there wasn't an IEC or it's too different I'll have Front Panel Express machine me an adapter plate. M3 or #4 screws seem to work well.

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LL21 said:

Thanks for your time here...i was told by a local distributor (not of Furutech but who personally owns them at his home) that the burn-in is 400+ hours or more, but fortunately, with most of the equipment 'dripping current' 24/7 (Power conditioner mainly, plus a few components that have minimal functions 24/7)...it would be several weeks and then fine.

Since we were making so many updates/changes anyway, i did not start to seriously fine tune until 12 weeks anyway. Just curious as to what your understanding/experience may be?

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Joe Pittman said:

My experience with break-in follows:

1st hour is radical. I don't think prior cable cooking is that significant so I just recommend installing and putting up with the first day. It's important to do a good install with wires properly stripped, cleaned and torqued connections for consistency. Make sure Hot, Neutral and Ground wire connections at the panel are also reconnected, stripped, cleaned and torqued (you will thank me for this). And the panel breaker contacts cleaned. Installation is ultra important and very significant.

1st week changes fluctuate and diminish quickly.

1-4 week, there may be a very small increase in performance due to break-in, but I think the perception is due to hearing more to each performance than previously. I avoid playing "reference" music over and over again and just listen to as much music as usual and enjoy it.

4+ weeks, I have not heard significant changes due to the NCF at my place or others. If there are perceived changes, I would look into the power panel connections.

As always, YMMV.

I think the key ingredient in the new NCF formula is the Tourmaline which gives off negative ions when they heat-up (this is a very special property). So the system needs to warm-up at the beginning of EVERY listening session. The system starts to really sing after the first 30-60 minutes. And this effect is added to the other components also warming-up from idle such as the electronics (if left on all the time) and the the loudspeakers (especially woofers) loosening up and the phono cartridge warming up (assuming you are listening to vinyl).

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DaveC said:

I recommend adding as much NCF as your budget allows. IECs are generally very easy to switch out, but a bit of filing and/or a couple of small drill holes may be required as the sizes and bolt hole patterns are not standardized, and some, including the Furutech can be front or back mounted. If there wasn't an IEC or it's too different I'll have Front Panel Express machine me an adapter plate. M3 or #4 screws seem to work well.

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ayreman said:

Dave, I want to go NCF for my IECs but my DAC and power amps have the IECs combined with the fuse holder. So years ago I put in FI-03(R) with modest improvements. I'd love to upgrade! Is there a way to put FI-09 NCF in and deal with the fuse issue in some "creative" but safe way?

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Folsom said:

Indeed it's possible.

You just move the fuse.

View attachment 30765

There's a little work involved, but it's relatively simple.

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Folsom said:

I wish. Custom made by a machinist might be the only real solution.

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ayreman said:

You mean you are not aware of anything better in existance on this planet?

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Mike Lavigne said:

ok, tonight Joe Pittman installed -7- of the Furutech 105-D NCF outlet covers on my outlets replacing the previous metal covers.. it took him about 30-35 minutes. he torqued them to a spec he has found is best so far in his experience.

I did expect them to be an improvement. but this was bigger than I expected.

-a layer of greyness was removed. it's more vivid and open.
-I get more a sense of weight and tonal sparkle. more alive and micro dynamic.
-slightly greater soundstage, mostly decays go on farther.
-greater sense of focus.....vocals are spooky good. (Joe and I both thought 'vinyl' good).

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Mike Lavigne said:

ok, tonight Joe Pittman installed -7- of the Furutech 105-D NCF outlet covers on my outlets replacing the previous metal covers.. it took him about 30-35 minutes. he torqued them to a spec he has found is best so far in his experience.

I did expect them to be an improvement. but this was bigger than I expected.

-a layer of greyness was removed. it's more vivid and open.
-I get more a sense of weight and tonal sparkle. more alive and micro dynamic.
-slightly greater soundstage, mostly decays go on farther.
-greater sense of focus.....vocals are spooky good. (Joe and I both thought 'vinyl' good).

I suspect that my recent addition of the Aqua Formula dac and SMG server, which lowered noise floors and increased detail and focus already made this change more profound.

anyway it's a killer addition......I would caution that while I expect they would make a positive audible difference in most systems, the degree of benefit will likely vary from system to system. so I'm not proclaiming universal rave level here. but......anyone who has already done the rest of the Furutech NCF program likely will get a significant boost.

enjoy.

I expect Joe will be around if you have any techie questions.

and.....to Ed and all my weekend visitors, yes......it's even better now.

added note; I did a no-no. I made 2 changes at once. when Joe switched out the cover plates, I switched power cords between my dart pre and SMG server. the one that had been on the server was a decent Tel Wire I've had for awhile. I had one of my Absolute Fidelity power cords with the new Furutech NCF plugs on my dart pre. I figured the NCF plugged PC on the dart pre is only powering the battery charger and has no effect on performance. so why not put it where it can do some good?

anyway.....likely there is a muddying of the water on degree of cover plate switching cause and effect. wanted to do full disclosure. I'm guessing some of the extra vividness, microdynamics and additional decays are the PC change.

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