AC Dedicated Line


Hello guys
I will run three (3) dedicated AC power lines: one for my stereo system (power amp, preamp, DAC, etc) and two for my stereo subwoofers (one line for each one).

These three circuits will be connected directly to the main AC board of the Electrical Comany wich provides me the service right at my door.

They will all share the same ground cable, wich I will connect to a dedicated ground bar, but I would like your opinion about sharing the "same neutral line" on these circuits. Could it affect the sound quality? 

If I have to send three different neutral cables, one for each circuit, I will need more cable to run through the house and it will be more expensive and complicated.

Please I would appreciate responses with real experiences. I don't want to start a technical discussion. I know at the end, in the main board, they all will share the same neutral line, so electrically it should be the same, but in this crazy audio world who knows for sure if soundwise it will be the same....

PS: by the way, I will run 4 or 6 mm2 cables (I guess about 11 to 9 AWG on the US scale). Here in Argentina we measure cables by square millimitres.
plga

Showing 9 responses by plga

Thank you guys!

Im sorry, may be I wasn't clear enough.

The main power of my home is triphasic and, from the main board, all the monophasic circuits are connected to somehow balance each phase with similar current.

All the circuits share the same neutral. Its been running ok since 10 years and the electricity bill is cheaper here with triphasic. 

I first thought that connecting each of the three circuits to a different phase would provide better results as each one would be better isolated from the rest. Nevertheless, I think I find millercarbon's advice very useful and I will make it simple and just run one circuit with dedicated ground for the whole system and the subs.

PS: I already have two budget power conditioners (AC filter and a DC Blocker) and they are doing a great job, but at nights, when the power is cleaner, the sound is just so incredible that I want to give it a shot and try this dedicated circuit to see if it makes a difference. Many people claim that it helps a lot. 
Im sorry Rbstehno, I didnt see your post as we wrote it at the same time. 

I just measured last week my system and the subs consumption and, even at loud volume, more than what I hear normally, my system didnt consumed more than 1 amp and neither did the subs.

At first I thought the meter was wrong, but then I remembered that the DC Blocker had also a meter and I saw it measured very similar to the external meter.

I think the low consumption must be because my power amp is class D, the same as the subs, and of course the preamp and the DAC dont consume much. 

So, in my case, 10 Amps should be more than enough. Nevertheless, if I decide to run just one circuit, I will go with a 10 AWG wire and a 32 amp breaker. 
Well, thats exactly the problem with this "hobby"!!

You have to try it for your self to see the results as YMMV and that's exactly what I will do with this AC dedicated line experiment. 

I will do it in a couple of months and I will let you know my experience.
Hi guys
Finally I will install tomorrow a 8/10 AWG (6 mm2) dedicated line for my system, using a 20 Amp breaker and plugging the line directly to the main breaker on the street. 

I will only connect my system to the line, not the subwoofers.

I will let you know the results ASAP.

PS: the system wich will be connnected to the line:

Holton DC Blocker
Bada LB-5600 Power Filter
Wyred4sound USB Reclocker

Gustard U16 USB converter to I2S
Audio-GD R8 DAC
Audio-GD Master 1 preamp
Nord Acoustics NC500 stereo power amp (class D)
Q Acoustics Concept 500 floorstanders
I'm sorry, may be I expressed it in a wrong way.

I will connect the line to the main breaker of the Electrical Company who supplies me the service. Not the street!!!   I meant I will by pass my house's main breaker. 

I will connect a dedicated positive, a neutral and ground. The latest will be connected to a new copper bar, wich I will bury on the ground.
Thank you guys!

I didnt consider ground loops, so I will interconnect both ground bars on the entrance or I will keep one single ground bar for all circuits, new and old.

On the other hand, I will ask my electrician, but I guess there’s nothing legally wrong here about connecting the breakers of the new line to the output of the main breaker of the Electric Company. Is there any electrical risk?

Finally. I have the subs connected to my preamp RCA outputs as the power amp uses XLR. I would prefer to just have one IEC plug, at the end of the new line, to connect to my DC Blocker input and skip installing an extra outlet to feed the system plus the subs. Do you think I will have hum issues or ground loops if I just connect the system to the new dedicated line, but the subs to my home circuits? I mean connecting everything to the same ground bar at the end.

PS: the total length of the new line is about 40 to 45 feet.


Hello guys
I've just installed the AC dedicated line.

Its just three 10 to 12 AWG wires (hot, neutral and ground) for my system, not the subs.

I havent included the subs (Boston Acoustics M Subs) because they dont have ground on their plugg (as many other subs, like SVS SB2000 for instance) so I figure out I shouldnt have ground loops or hum and I was right. On the other hand, latter on, if I decide to connect them to the line, I can do it. But today its somehow simpler this way.

The results are better sound on EVERY aspect: smoother highs, better detail, improved layering and 3D soundstage, stronger and better defined bass, etc.

I think its one of the best upgrades per dollar out there, period. 

Thank you all for your suggestions!