2. tech-talk
  3. 1130980608

Changed circ.breaker-vocals became shouty:why?

Hi
I live in pre-war apt.building.The circuit breaker that was feeding my system was an old 15 amp gadget that was long ago discontinued.When i noticed that it was 15 amp i went and bought a $25 30 amp replacement for it.After installing it in the box i noticed that vocals and solo guitars became shouty and flat even though the rest of the spectrum became more dynamic,especially bass.After i put back the old breaker,the sound became 3-D and warm again,even though the system was straining at high volumes.Is it a circuit breaker burn in factor or something else at play here?My power amp is Pass X 250,5 driving 86db/4ohm Snell type B speaker (6 drivers per side,3 of which are 10 inches).
Outlets by PS Audio.Any ideas?Thanks a lot.
overhang
duane
189 posts
 
You can't just swap a 15 amp breaker with a 30 amp. It takes special wire and outlet plugs for 30 amps. If you have a short you could burn the apartment down.

With that said, there is a break in period of 2 weeks on a breaker but the difference you are hearing sounds like it may involve more factors.

Breakers do sound different but the better ones are mercury wetted. Another thing that makes a difference is if the copper thickness or length in the new breaker is equal to the wave length of something causing interference.

You can play around as long as your hardware store lets you return items but I would go back to a 15 to 20 amp breaker.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
The vocalists are trying to warn you that your house may burn down! You can't just insert a 30 amp breaker in place of a 15 amp one. The rating of the breaker depends on the wire that it feeds into. A 30 amp breaker has the same resistance as a 15 amp one and, unless you believe in magic, has no effect on the audio signal. Either breaker will deliver the current that your audio system demands, and you can't make the audio system demand more by changing the breaker.

The 30 amp breaker would permit you to plug in a TV and an Airconditioner as well as your audio system, and a few other things, without the breaker opening. The wires will get hot, and even if you don't start a fire right away the insulation of the wires will be damaged, which is a long-term hazard.
dschneider
5 posts
 
What is the size of the wire between your outlet and breaker?
john_3146279c
2 posts
 
Ignoring your question, but you can't just up the amperage of the breaker unless you've upgraded all of the downstream wiring in the walls to match. Big fire hazard if you don't.

No idea why the sound would change.
overhang OP
199 posts
 
Thanks for your replies.
The wire is 12 gauge.I will step down to 20 amp breaker.
The dynamics changed a lot with a 30 amp,a lot of headroom and the lights on my Panamax power conditioner are not flickering on the border of underpowering anymore.But fire hazard is something i don't want to play with.Once again,thanks to your advices.
More to discover