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Old 07-11-2019, 04:05 PM
Parabellum Parabellum is offline
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Default cruzeFIRST Audio Maestro Outlet

After careful examination of the different offerings on the market, and based on numerous reviews and testimonies, I went with the cruzeFIRST Audio Maestro outlets. I ordered two and they will be replacing one Shunyata SR-Z1 and one standard Leviton 20A duplex.

Currently, my Yamaha CA-1000 amplifier and Bryston BDP-2 are plugged into the SR-Z1, and the Bryston BDA-3 is plugged into the Leviton. I wanted to achieve a bit of consistency in sound by starting with the outlets. Among the models I considered are the Synergistic Research Blue outlet but at 285$ each I decided against it no matter how good it is supposed to be. Also the Furutech GTX-D but after reading many reviews it seems that it is on the lean side and that it may not synergize well with my equipment and taste. The Maestro is reported to sound clean and natural and this is what has been the deciding factors. I believe it will match well with my equipment. I should receive them early next week so I will report my finding after installation and critical listening about how they perform in my environment.
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Last edited by Parabellum; 07-11-2019 at 04:09 PM.
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Old 07-12-2019, 10:30 AM
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Old 07-15-2019, 09:34 PM
rnrmf1971 rnrmf1971 is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Parabellum View Post
After careful examination of the different offerings on the market, and based on numerous reviews and testimonies, I went with the cruzeFIRST Audio Maestro outlets. I ordered two and they will be replacing one Shunyata SR-Z1 and one standard Leviton 20A duplex.

Currently, my Yamaha CA-1000 amplifier and Bryston BDP-2 are plugged into the SR-Z1, and the Bryston BDA-3 is plugged into the Leviton. I wanted to achieve a bit of consistency in sound by starting with the outlets. Among the models I considered are the Synergistic Research Blue outlet but at 285$ each I decided against it no matter how good it is supposed to be. Also the Furutech GTX-D but after reading many reviews it seems that it is on the lean side and that it may not synergize well with my equipment and taste. The Maestro is reported to sound clean and natural and this is what has been the deciding factors. I believe it will match well with my equipment. I should receive them early next week so I will report my finding after installation and critical listening about how they perform in my environment.
Interested in your experience with the Maestro outlet when they arrive!

Please let us know how the sound is different vs the Shunyata and Leviton after they burn in a bit.

Good luck!
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Old 07-16-2019, 09:57 PM
Parabellum Parabellum is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rnrmf1971 View Post
Interested in your experience with the Maestro outlet when they arrive!

Please let us know how the sound is different vs the Shunyata and Leviton after they burn in a bit.

Good luck!
Hi Christian,

I received both my Maestro oulets this morning and they are already installed. No procrastinating here I am listening to my system thru them as I type this. See pictures attached.

As you suggested I will give my system (and myself) time to acclimate to the change before giving my impressions of the sound. But I can give my impressions of the material itself; comparing to the Shunyata SR-Z1, the Maestro doesn't give the feeling of a high end component. It is smaller in width and overall depth as you can see (Maestro is black on the left, the SR-Z1 on the right). Materials used - only for the look of it - for the Maestro are similar to any outlet you can find in a hardware store. I mean, they are not substantials with thick plates, chrome plating and such like the Furutech GTX-D. It's what inside and the treatments applied that matters I guess here.

The Maestro is heavier than my standard Leviton outlet, but definately less than my SR-Z1. It's probably intended this way as part of the design because some designers believe in "less is more". I was often indicated by experienced techs and audiophiles that the less mass is better for better flow of current and ultimately better sound (think speaker binding posts, like Naim amplifiers). I give benefit of the doubt here. The duplexes have very good grip as it was a tight fit when inserting the cables. This definately feels quality and it's a good thing to maximize contact with the prongs.

Right off the bat I can perceive some changes but I will have to wait to listen at higher volume to have a better idea (kids are sleeping!)
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File Type: jpg IMG_6017.jpg (92.0 KB, 59 views)
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Last edited by Parabellum; 07-16-2019 at 10:03 PM.
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Old 07-16-2019, 11:25 PM
rnrmf1971 rnrmf1971 is online now
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Interesting visual comparison. On some other forums, The Maestro is said to be based on a basic Cooper outlet and then customized in some way.
I'm looking forward to a comparison to the Shunyata when you get around to it.
Thanks for the update!
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south: Mark Levinson No. 52 pre, Bricasti M28 amps, Lumin A1, Oppo BDP-205, Pioneer CT-43, Sony SS-AR1 Speakers, Audioquest Dragon PCs, Audioquest speaker cables, Audioquest interconnects, HB Power Design Powerslave Star Galaxy power distributor

north: Vitus SIA-030, Luxman D10X, Sony TC-KA3ES, Harbeth 40.2, Siltech cables
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Old 07-23-2019, 10:56 PM
Parabellum Parabellum is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rnrmf1971 View Post
Interesting visual comparison. On some other forums, The Maestro is said to be based on a basic Cooper outlet and then customized in some way.
I'm looking forward to a comparison to the Shunyata when you get around to it.
Thanks for the update!
I think I have had enough time to listen so that at least I can give my early impressions. In comparison to my Shunyata SR-Z1, it sounds more "HiFi ish" where the presentation is very clean. By that, I can state that the SR-Z1 has a rich midrange bloom that gives that tubey sound. I find the SR-Z1 to sound "fuller" and warmer in comparison. Not that the Maestro is cold, not at all. Just that the SR-Z1 is more on the warm side. To my taste, I think I prefer the warmer presentation of the SR-Z1 rather than the all-clean one of the Maestro. But this is definately all about personal taste, and synergy with other components. I also noticed that the base does not go as deep as the SR-Z1, and that the sound has more realism with the SR-Z1 in comparison. The cymbals and percussions, music as a whole, sound more "there". In short, to my likings, I find the SR-Z1 to bring more pleasure and excitement to the music than the Maestro. Maybe I haven't had enough time to the Maestro to fully break in so I will continue my listening.

This hobby is all about experiences, trial and errors to find one's musical holy grail. In my case, I think I just dicovered that I prefer a warmer sound than absolute neutrality. I remember when I inserted a Synergistic Blue fuse in my Yamaha CA-1000, I really enjoyed the fuller sound, that deep base impact it brought. With the Maestro, it is kind of gone. In exchange, a more clean sound and maybe tighter base. As I said, I will give more time on the Maestro but eventually I will re-insert the SR-Z1 to confirm my findings.

I was informed by Ivan that the Shunyata CopperCONN outlet is available for purchase separately. I would be very curious to try that one, especially if it follows on the SR-Z1. Very little information is available though so I think the only way to know if I would like it, would be to buy one and try for myself.

Edit:
I suggest anyone interested in the Maestro to read this comparison:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...ac_outlets.htm

The SR-Z1 being essentially a Hubbell, you can have a reference point with this review. I re-read at least 5 times these reviews and my conclusions are pretty in line with their findings.
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Last edited by Parabellum; 07-23-2019 at 10:59 PM.
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Old 07-23-2019, 11:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Parabellum View Post

Right off the bat I can perceive some changes but I will have to wait to listen at higher volume to have a better idea (kids are sleeping!)
You know, a “Real Audiophile” would wake them up. j/k
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Old 07-23-2019, 11:59 PM
rnrmf1971 rnrmf1971 is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Parabellum View Post
I think I have had enough time to listen so that at least I can give my early impressions. In comparison to my Shunyata SR-Z1, it sounds more "HiFi ish" where the presentation is very clean. By that, I can state that the SR-Z1 has a rich midrange bloom that gives that tubey sound. I find the SR-Z1 to sound "fuller" and warmer in comparison. Not that the Maestro is cold, not at all. Just that the SR-Z1 is more on the warm side. To my taste, I think I prefer the warmer presentation of the SR-Z1 rather than the all-clean one of the Maestro. But this is definately all about personal taste, and synergy with other components. I also noticed that the base does not go as deep as the SR-Z1, and that the sound has more realism with the SR-Z1 in comparison. The cymbals and percussions, music as a whole, sound more "there". In short, to my likings, I find the SR-Z1 to bring more pleasure and excitement to the music than the Maestro. Maybe I haven't had enough time to the Maestro to fully break in so I will continue my listening.

This hobby is all about experiences, trial and errors to find one's musical holy grail. In my case, I think I just dicovered that I prefer a warmer sound than absolute neutrality. I remember when I inserted a Synergistic Blue fuse in my Yamaha CA-1000, I really enjoyed the fuller sound, that deep base impact it brought. With the Maestro, it is kind of gone. In exchange, a more clean sound and maybe tighter base. As I said, I will give more time on the Maestro but eventually I will re-insert the SR-Z1 to confirm my findings.

I was informed by Ivan that the Shunyata CopperCONN outlet is available for purchase separately. I would be very curious to try that one, especially if it follows on the SR-Z1. Very little information is available though so I think the only way to know if I would like it, would be to buy one and try for myself.

Edit:
I suggest anyone interested in the Maestro to read this comparison:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...ac_outlets.htm

The SR-Z1 being essentially a Hubbell, you can have a reference point with this review. I re-read at least 5 times these reviews and my conclusions are pretty in line with their findings.

Thanks for the update on the outlets!

From your description, the Shunyata SR-Z1 seems to be an outlet I'd like to hear. I tend to like a warmer, richer, midrange because that's what sounds natural to me.

Of course if any info on the Copperconn outlet comes to light, that would be valuable, too. Is it certain that the CopperCONN is a different duplex than the SR-Z1? The Shunyata website still reads that the "SR-Z1 outlets provide a critical contribution toward the award-winning performance of Shunyata’s power-distribution products." It also reads that "This is the same AC outlet used in HYDRA TRITON."

I use or have used Furutech GTX-D (gold), GTX-D (rhodium), Audience Hidden Treasure, and Audioquest Edison duplexes. All have their own character, and there are attributes of a couple I wish could be combined into a single duplex.
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south: Mark Levinson No. 52 pre, Bricasti M28 amps, Lumin A1, Oppo BDP-205, Pioneer CT-43, Sony SS-AR1 Speakers, Audioquest Dragon PCs, Audioquest speaker cables, Audioquest interconnects, HB Power Design Powerslave Star Galaxy power distributor

north: Vitus SIA-030, Luxman D10X, Sony TC-KA3ES, Harbeth 40.2, Siltech cables

Last edited by rnrmf1971; 07-24-2019 at 12:09 AM.
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Old 07-24-2019, 04:13 PM
damacman damacman is offline
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Old 07-25-2019, 02:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rnrmf1971 View Post
Thanks for the update on the outlets!

From your description, the Shunyata SR-Z1 seems to be an outlet I'd like to hear. I tend to like a warmer, richer, midrange because that's what sounds natural to me.

Of course if any info on the Copperconn outlet comes to light, that would be valuable, too. Is it certain that the CopperCONN is a different duplex than the SR-Z1? The Shunyata website still reads that the "SR-Z1 outlets provide a critical contribution toward the award-winning performance of Shunyata’s power-distribution products." It also reads that "This is the same AC outlet used in HYDRA TRITON."

I use or have used Furutech GTX-D (gold), GTX-D (rhodium), Audience Hidden Treasure, and Audioquest Edison duplexes. All have their own character, and there are attributes of a couple I wish could be combined into a single duplex.
I replaced a PS Audio Premier outlet with the Audioquest Edison and so far I'm finding it pretty well rounded and hard to fault,not as warm as the PS audio but does have a bit more air.
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