Power distributor (or commonly known as power strip) is nothing new. I believe we can find this power strip everywhere – in our home, office, even in our desk or wall. But this one is not just an ordinary power strip. It’s a special one.
Furutech is not a new name for me. They are specialized in high end audio accessories. One of their product is wall receptacle which is normally found on our wall (or again well known as wall outlet). But again, their wall receptacle is not ordinary outlet 🙂
Off course, their wall receptacle also not a new stuff for me. But their latest product has been added with something called NCF or Nano Crystal² Formula - Nano Crystalline, Ceramic and Carbon Powder.
Quoted from Furutech themselves:
Incorporated into select Furutech products, Nano Crystal² Formula — NCF is comprised of a special crystalline material that has two “active” properties. First, it generates negative ions that eliminate static and secondly, it converts thermal energy into far-infrared. Furutech then combines this remarkable crystalline material with nano-sized ceramic particles and carbon powder for their additional “Piezo Effect” damping properties. The resulting Nano Crystal² Formula is the ultimate electrical and mechanical damping material – only found in Furutech products!
Hell yeah, I’m so curious! So I ordered some for my new power distributor (or power strip) project. Here you go…
When I first received this product few weeks ago, my first impression was very simple and obvious: this is really well designed product (no surprise if you see the price tag). The material is very fine and gorgeous. The big screw however, could have a better one. A bit basic from my opinion.
As you can also see below photo. The frame is made from very thick and shiny metal. This is Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) Rhodium based receptacle – the highestĂ‚Â lineĂ‚Â product from Furutech for US type outlet.
It’s very sturdy. You can feel the “presence” when you are holding this product in your hand. Rated at 20A at 125V, this should be more than enough to supply any high end audio equipment you can think about.
Off course, I will not forget Schuko plug. Unfortunately, many audiophiles are using US plug, than any other plugs. So I needed to wait a bit longer in order to have NCF version of this Schuko plug. Furutech just released this plug somewhere by last month (June/July 2016) and I maybe one of the very first person to have it.
Below is the appearance of this Furutech FT-SDS NCF (R) Rhodium Schuko plug.
You can see below is the ground connector of this FT-SDS NCF (R). It’s very gorgeous and thickly laminated. The Rhodium is definitely very shiny here and will give a tight contact with any plug connected to this receptacle.
Blue NCF logo also giving a strong indicator that this is the new version with Nano Crystal² Formula.
The photo from the back of the receptacle. We can see three different color code on the screw. Yellow/gold for Live, silver/gray for Neutral, and black for Earth/Ground. Not quite sure what is the point of using this different color/material. But for sure Furutech has their own reason.
Another close shoot from the side. The pressure plateĂ‚Â used here seems like made from Brass or Gold plated material. It can handle up to AWG 10 of wire or 2.5mm diameter. I don’t see any reason to use bigger than this!
The impression? I have tested the Furutech GTX-D NCF (R), but not yet the FT-SDS NCF (R). My first few hours impression with the GTX-D NCF (R) is very positive. It has a good detail, separation, but without any impression of harshness. Sound stage and layer also improved (this was an upgrade from stock wall receptacle, cost less than $100). Comparing from GTX-D (R) without NCF that I have tested in the past (although might not be a fair comparison as my memory might not serve me completely), I would say this new NCF has more organic sound. The taste of Rhodium with touch of NCF now more pleasant to my ears.
Can’t wait to finalize this project!
hifierin
November 24, 2016 18:00Come on JImmy? Really? The power station is a hundred Km away and travels through aluminium wire, then enters your house though some unknown quality powerboard with fuses, then through your house wiring, then you plug in your fancy power socket, and suddenly you think the sound is better?
Did you compare to a brand new normal powerboard?
Did you use your same old oxidised power connectors?
Sorry mate this just seems silly to me, but if you hear a difference and you enjoy it, good for you.
Auw Jimmy
November 24, 2016 21:59Yes. It sounds silly. I’ve been using many plugs, like standard one, Wattgate, Oyaide, and so on.
But I prefer not to go into another debate. Good if you can’t hear. Can save a lot of budget for other purpose.
Enjoy the music, mate.
Thanks.