October 2026

World Premiere Review!
WattGate 381 AU evo & 381 RH evo Review — Transformative Audio-Grade AC Receptacles That Elevate Your High-End Audio Sound System's Performance
How WattGate's gold- and rhodium-plated high-fidelity audio outlets deliver lower noise floor, stronger physical grip, and remarkable musical bliss.
Review By Paul Schumann

   Ah, yes, the lowly AC outlet. It's the least glamorous gadget in our daily lives. If we need to charge a phone or vacuum the room, their location becomes critically important. Otherwise, once we plug a lamp or TV into one, we forget they are there. I'd never thought much about the outlet I use for my system, so when Brett of WattGate reached out for a review, I was intrigued. We audiophiles spend large sums on AC cables and power conditioners, so why wouldn't we care what we plug them into?

WattGate, a sister company of Kimber Kable, makes two audio-grade AC receptacles: the 381 AU evo and 381 RH evo. Brett sent me both to review. These two outlets are identical in their basic construction. They have heavy-duty clamps with teeth terminals, heavy-duty triple wipe contacts, and accept 8 to 12 AWG wire. The housing of each is constructed of polycarbonate, and all the metals used are non-magnetic. The terminal clamps, mounting strap, rivets, and grounding strip are made of plated solid brass. The plating is done using the WattGate Three Layer Plating Process.

The first layer is oxygen-free copper for improved conductivity. The second layer is an electroless nickel plating. This prevents copper from leaching out to the outer layers. The third layer is 24-carat gold for improved conductivity. The 381 AU evo has the gold as the outermost layer in its conductive components. The 381 RH evo has a fourth layer of rhodium on top of the gold.

Why rhodium? While rhodium is slightly less conductive than gold, it resists abrasion, ensuring good contact over a longer period of time. Additionally, both of these AC receptacles undergo WattGate's Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT). DCT is an indirect or dry process where the parts are never subjected to direct contact with liquid nitrogen, avoiding thermal shock to the materials. The process takes between four and five days to complete. As you can tell, a lot of thought has gone into the design and production of these AC receptacles.

Now I know what you are thinking: "These AC receptacles sound really cool, but to use them I'm going to have to handle wires that are part of my home's electrical system." Yes, it is a bit scary, but if you take your time and use the proper precautions, you will be fine. First, I would advise you to have a way to test your outlet. It could be as simple as a voltmeter or as nifty as the voltage checker I have. Then find the breaker box for your home. Not all of these boxes have their breakers labeled, so you might need a buddy to help you figure out which breaker controls which part of your home. Once you think you've turned off the correct one, then double-check the voltage on both sockets of the outlet in question. Everything is a no-go until the voltage is a big goose egg. Then you can start the removal process.

You'll need a small flat-head screwdriver to remove the plate, a medium Phillips head to do the rest of the screws, and needle-nose pliers to help with the wire. Once you get the old outlet pulled out, I'd take a couple of pics to make sure you rewire the new outlet correctly. Once you get everything back together, you can turn the breaker back on and check the voltage again. It took me about an hour to complete the process, but I was being very methodical.

All the AC for my system goes through a Vans Evers Model 85 Reference Power Conditioner. The Vans Evers uses a Siltech Classic Anniversary SPX-380 Power Cable to plug into an AC receptacle. When I pushed the Siltech into the WattGate 381 AU evo, I was surprised by how much effort it took. Once I shoved it all the way in, I checked the connection and noted that the plug wasn't going anywhere. It was a stark contrast to my old AC receptacle, which always felt loose in comparison.

I never start my critical listening immediately after installing a new piece of equipment, but I quickly heard a difference in my system using the 381 AU evo. When I normally listen to music in the background, I stream Qobuz through my FiiO F9 digital desktop streamer / preamplifier I had queued up Vaughn Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis", performed by Bernard Haitink and the London Philharmonic Orchestra [EMI Classics – 7243 5 85151 2 1] and sat down to work on my laptop. This piece starts at ppp, so I had the volume adjusted accordingly. When it reached a climax about 30 bars in, however, I had to turn the volume down to save my ears.

When "Fantasia" returned to pppin the closing section, it was barely loud enough for me to hear. Over the next few days, I noticed a repeat of this phenomenon anytime I listened to pieces with large dynamic swings. About a week later, I did some critical listening using my vinyl of Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra [RCA Victor Red Seal – LSC-1934]. This is a powerful piece of music, and this disc delivers the goods. With my system getting its power from the 381 AU evo, I experienced this amazing piece in an entirely new way. Every dynamic nuance washed over me as I sat transfixed. I've never had the opportunity to experience Bartók's masterpiece live, but listening to it with the 381 AU evo upgrade got me closer to the real thing.

In addition to the increased dynamics, the system's noise floor dropped. This revealed fine details that had been buried in the mix. Like everyone else in the English-speaking world, I've been listening to Phoebe Bridgers quite a bit recently. I had listened to her new single "Lost Boys" [Dead Oceans] multiple times before I installed the 381 AU evo. This song has a lot of ear candy. When I listened to it post-installation, I was able to hear all sorts of new goodies. As Ms. Bridges is singing "This machine is killing me", I could now clearly hear strings playing in tremolo underneath her vocals. During the chorus, my eyes bugged out when I was overwhelmed by previously hidden layers of acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and mandolin.

After a couple of weeks with the WattGate 381 AU evo in my system, I removed it and installed the 381 RH evo. This unit is identical except for the rhodium-plated parts. The highly reflective silver isn't as sexy-looking as the gold, but you'll never notice the difference once it's installed and in use. The installation went much quicker the second time, with the previous session still fresh in my head.

I know what you are thinking: "How much of a difference can a thin layer of rhodium make on the sound?" The differences were more subtle. The increased dynamics and greater inner detail were still there. But after several days of listening, I could tell that music was emerging from a blacker background. On Bertrand Chamayou's recording Complete Works for Solo Piano by Ravel [Erato – 2564602681], each note emerged from a place of stillness that made me feel like sitting next to Monsieur Chamayou as he played. Ghost in the Shell - KoukakuKidoutai: Original Soundtrack [Ariola Japan] is a masterpiece of minimalist music. It's a heady brew of deep drums, gongs, shakers, bells, female vocals, and eerie keyboards that sounds like it was recorded in a cathedral.

With the 381 RH evo providing the AC for my system, this soundtrack took on a new level of mystery and wonder. About halfway through the track "Virtual Crime", the music transitions from a menacing series of synthesizer bursts to a gorgeous series of arpeggios resting on a bed of synthesized strings. This abrupt change is masterful and gave me goosebumps. I had always marveled at this moment, but with the 381 RH evo, it had a little more emotional weight.

I have to admit, I expected some difference in the sound of my system, but nothing as dramatic as I actually experienced. My original outlet was over thirty years old, and I know the electricians installed the cheapest stuff possible when the house was built. So the upgrade in materials, especially the conductors, makes sense. I'm sure the brass used in that old outlet wasn't in the best shape anymore. In the last couple of years, I had noticed that the old outlet wasn't gripping the heavy high-end power cables very well.

In contrast, both 381 AU evo and 381 RH evo grabbed the prongs of the Siltech power cable with intensity that was a bit unnerving. So I know the connection was much better there. In addition, the old AC receptacle had push-in connections for the house wires, while the WattGate outlets use WattLock screw-down terminals with teeth. Consequently, there was better contact being made there. I know all these things, but it's still hard for my brain to wrap around how significant these upgrades were. It once again proves that every little thing matters when it comes to an audio system.

I would highly recommend adding the WattGate 381 AU evo or 381 RH evo outlets. Their cost is really quite modest compared to other available upgrades. I know the idea of fooling with the house AC is intimidating, but if you proceed with caution, it's very doable. If you can't get past that hurdle, then find a friend who has some experience in home wiring. Once installed, the 381 AU evo or 381 RH evo will surprise you with how much they will improve the sound of your system.

Specifications
Type: Audio Grade AC Receptacles
Heavy-duty clamp with teeth terminals
Heavy-duty triple wipe contacts
Accepts 8 to 12 AWG wire
Gold-plated solid brass terminal clamps, mounting strap, rivets, and grounding strip
All-polycarbonate design
All non-magnetic materials
Phillips head hardware
WattGate Three-Layer Plating Process
Rating: 20A/125VAC
Price:  381 AU evo   $226
       381 RH evo   $284

Company Information
WattGate
2752 South 1900 West
Ogden, UT 84401

Voice: (801) 621-1501
E-mail: bryan@heatshrink.com 
Website: Wattgate.com