Dedicated Lines - Sub panel or no?

Hi all,

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Zargon, I am intrigued by your mention of using a transformer. Does it have any downside? I have found in the past that, in my system, power conditioners flatten the soundstage, or somehow rob the music of life.

Also, over here in Singapore, we are 220-240volts AC. If I was to follow your setup, would that in any way affect the topology?

Kind Regards
Mick

There are a number of benefits to be derived from a good properly selected and sized power iso transformer. This approach is equivalent to moving the transformer on the pole down the street next to your room, thus eliminating the hash and trash that gets introduced by all electrical appliances inbetween. An ISO has no direct connection between the input and output sides, and with proper internal shielding can provide over 120db reduction of common mode voltage disturbances. An iso will also filter harmonics on line noise and reduce ground loop currents. Some iso transformers also have output taps allowing you to compensate for consistently high or low line input.

The most immediately noticable result is a blackness or lack of background noise in the music that allows for more detail and dynamic range. I have not experienced any negative effects on soundstage or the life of the music and do not know of a reason why that should be a concern.

The iso must be an iron core internally shielded design - the heavier the core the better. The iso must also have a capacity of at least 2.5 times the peak power demand of your system. Both these are critical. These transformers can be found used in electrical power supply houses for a fraction of the new price. My TOPAZ 4kva iso line noise suppression ultra isolation transformer with 4 output taps weighs 90lbs and cost only $300. Some of these transformers are also setup for use with either 120 or 220v. The basic connection topology is the same.

The negatives are managable. These beasts do make an audible hum, but only noticable within a couple of feet. They also generate some heat (the core is warm to the touch), and use some amount of power in idle due to the internal resistance. They should have a sturdy mount and are best bolted down especially if you have a possibility of earthquakes.

As an added feature: The iso is connected to the subpanel on only one of the two phases. This means that any individual breaker can be moved from the filtered side to the unfiltered side for comparison. This means you can have either the dedicated line only or the dedicated line with isolation on any circuit.

I hope this helps.

Hi Zargon,

That helps a great deal,thank you. With your kind permission, I would like to follow your schematics once I get started on renovating my new home.

By the way, your home, system and the view look fabulous.

Kind regards
Mick

Mick,

Thanks, I spent a year and a half getting my system to this point and have a long list of things I still want to accomplish.

Please do get your installation specifics reviewed by a local licensed electrician, as codes do vary.

Also, AGON member "jea48" is an expert in this area, and was very helpful in advising me on my iso configuration. I hope he doesn't mind me mentioning that to you.

We installed an Equi=tech wall panel next to our rooms. We then run 10 dedicated lines of JPS In-wall cable to each room and used Oyaide R-1 receptacles. From the Equi=tech, there are copper lines running to (2) 3/4" copper rods in the ground. We spent about $30k on our electrical system and it shows.