2. home-theater
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Dedicated lines — how many? Other advice?

We're redoing our basement and adding an additional panel. This room will become a media room. I may be video and audio at different ends of the room if possible. Not sure.

To be powered:

Video

1. TV
2. AVR

Audio:

1. R & L Monoblock tube amps
2. Preamp
3. DAC
4. CD transport
5. Streamer
6. 3 Subwoofers

QUESTIONS:

(a) Does everything on the list need a dedicated line? Could all benefit? (Including the TV and AVR). Or can I skip the video stuff.

(b) How many dedicated lines for the audio alone? How would you group components on each line?

(c) Any other advice?

Here is the advice I've gathered so far (some from the web, some from A'gon):

  • Get a whole house surge suppressor put in.
  • Use the heaviest gauge copper Romex you can use, never less than 12 gauge and typically 10 gauge (the lower the gauge number the thicker the wire conductors).
  • Use a 20 amp breaker for even the lowest draw source equipment feed.
  • Make sure the power lines are balanced on each side of the power panel.
  • Don't let them staple the wire to the 2x4's inside the walls….Work out some other solution that neither uses ferrous metal fasteners nor pinches the wiring when secured to the framing. The physical pinching can lead to a somewhat narrower audio bandwidth…
128x128hilde45

Showing 1 response by lalitk

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,080 posts
 
@hilde45,

You’ve gotten great advise so far. To summarize / reiterate,

1) If possible don’t limit yourself to one dedicated line, it limits your flexibility for gear placement. I have two dedicated lines installed on both sides of my room (30’W x 15’D), no ground loop hum :-)
2) Another vote for Environmental Potentials EP-2050, add EP-2750 Ground Filter to the main panel as well.
3) Use atleast 10awg wire for 20amp dedicated circuit.

Once you have installed dedicated lines, it does not matter how you group your components on each line. As far plugging your gear, I will PM you couple of options to consider.

Good luck!
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