What Is the Wattgate 330i Audio-Grade Power Connector?

Updated

The Wattgate 330i is an audio-grade IEC power connector from Wattgate, a brand listed on wattgate.com under "Audio Grade Power connectors and receptacles." It belongs to the same product family as the 350i and 390i connectors that appear in the site's connector lineup. If you are building or upgrading a detachable power cord for a DAC, preamp, integrated amp, or similar component, the 330i is the connector that goes at the equipment end of the cable — the female IEC end that plugs into the component's power inlet. Whether it suits your setup depends mainly on which end of the cable you are terminating and which Wattgate model you pair it with.

Where the 330i sits in a power cable

A detachable audio power cord has two terminations:

  • Wall end — a plug or connector that mates with the wall receptacle (or with a power conditioner outlet).
  • Equipment end — an IEC connector that mates with the inlet on the audio component.

The 330i is an IEC connector, so it is the equipment-side termination. That means a typical build pairs a 330i with a wall-side Wattgate connector or plug, joined by the cable of your choice. The exact wall-side partner depends on your receptacle type and region — Wattgate's catalog includes receptacles and connectors in several formats, including the Schuko style referenced in the site's keyword set.

If you are instead looking to replace the outlet in the wall or in a power conditioner, you want a Wattgate receptacle, not a 330i. The 330i is a cable-end part.

How it relates to the 350i and 390i

Wattgate presents its connectors as a comparison set, and the 330i, 350i, and 390i are the models most often weighed against each other. The site's own navigation includes a "CONNECTOR COMPARISON" section, which is the right place to check current model-by-model differences, since Wattgate's published page evidence does not spell out the individual specifications here.

What can be said from the lineup structure:

Model Role in the lineup
330i IEC connector (equipment end)
350i Related Wattgate connector model, commonly compared with the 330i
390i Related Wattgate connector model, commonly compared with the 330i

Because the three are grouped together in Wattgate's connector comparison, the practical differences between them — construction, metallurgy, and price tier — are exactly what that comparison page exists to show. Wattgate also maintains a separate "METALLURGY" section, which indicates that conductor material is a distinguishing factor across the range. Treat the comparison page as the authoritative source before choosing between the three rather than assuming one is simply "better."

Deciding whether the 330i is right for you

Work through these conditions:

  1. Confirm the end you need. If your component has a standard IEC inlet and you are terminating the equipment end of a cable, an IEC connector like the 330i is the correct category. If you need the wall end, choose a plug or wall-side connector instead.
  2. Check the inlet on your component. IEC inlets come in more than one physical format. Match the connector to the inlet on the specific unit you are powering.
  3. Compare within the Wattgate range. Use Wattgate's connector comparison to see how the 330i differs from the 350i and 390i in construction and material, then decide whether the difference matters for your build.
  4. Match the wall side. Pick a wall-side Wattgate part compatible with your receptacle type and region so the two ends of the cable are consistent.
  5. Verify availability and pricing with a dealer. Wattgate's site lists an "INT. DEALERS" section; the published page evidence does not include pricing, so confirm current price and stock through a dealer rather than assuming any figure.

Common points of confusion

  • 330i vs. a receptacle. The 330i is a cable-end IEC connector. Replacing a wall outlet or power-conditioner outlet requires a receptacle, which is a different product category on the same site.
  • 330i vs. 350i/390i. These are related but distinct models. The differences are the subject of Wattgate's connector comparison, not something to infer from the model numbers.
  • Assuming specifications from the number. Nothing in the published Wattgate page evidence ties the "330" number to a specific rating or material. Get those details from the comparison page or the dealer.

For the broader context of what audio-grade power connectors and receptacles are and why builders use them, see the related explainer on audio-grade receptacles. For what Wattgate as a brand covers across its range, see the Wattgate overview.