Hi Gray; I'm really a sucker for these AC power supply threads! I had a dedicated system put in a couple of years ago and now consider it the foundation of high quality music. I didn't use audio-grade wire, rather I had 60 ft. of 6 ga. copper stranded wire already basically in place so I just used it from the main to a dedicated sub-main with four 20 amp breakers. I also had the electricians ground the sub-main box with 3 six ft. copper rods driven into the ground near my system.
For outlets I've used mostly audio grade Hubbells-- and they are fine, but lately have become totally taken by the high purity copper FIM 880. I now have 4 more FIMs on order-- hope it's not to much of a good thing. In MY SYSTEM, I much prefer the warmth and richness of the FIM outlet to a silver plated Acme.
As to compatibility of different parts of the dedicated system, I think you just have to make the best decisions you can, see how it sounds and go from there, eg what has worked well in my system may not do it for you. You may really like the fast, smooth, detailed Acme outlets for instance. After getting the system installed, it was so bright it just about took my head off, and Redkiwi suggested that I was hearing the cheap stock power cords. So, I auditioned 7 power cords and chose the Syn. Res. Master Couplers-- that completely took care of the brightness.
It occured to me later that just letting the system "burn in" for awhile may also have mellowed it out. I could test this by going back to stock cords, but have felt no need to as I've also become a big believer in good power cords. BTW, regular stranded electrical wire is directional, ie it sounds different when run one direction than the other. Redkiwi suggested this, and I tested it with the big 6 ga. wire, and it's really true-- one direction was soft, dull, and boring, and the other was much more dynamic, live, and musical. I have no idea why this is true.
You're taking the right approach in considering ALL variables that you can, and I wish you luck. Cheers. Craig
For outlets I've used mostly audio grade Hubbells-- and they are fine, but lately have become totally taken by the high purity copper FIM 880. I now have 4 more FIMs on order-- hope it's not to much of a good thing. In MY SYSTEM, I much prefer the warmth and richness of the FIM outlet to a silver plated Acme.
As to compatibility of different parts of the dedicated system, I think you just have to make the best decisions you can, see how it sounds and go from there, eg what has worked well in my system may not do it for you. You may really like the fast, smooth, detailed Acme outlets for instance. After getting the system installed, it was so bright it just about took my head off, and Redkiwi suggested that I was hearing the cheap stock power cords. So, I auditioned 7 power cords and chose the Syn. Res. Master Couplers-- that completely took care of the brightness.
It occured to me later that just letting the system "burn in" for awhile may also have mellowed it out. I could test this by going back to stock cords, but have felt no need to as I've also become a big believer in good power cords. BTW, regular stranded electrical wire is directional, ie it sounds different when run one direction than the other. Redkiwi suggested this, and I tested it with the big 6 ga. wire, and it's really true-- one direction was soft, dull, and boring, and the other was much more dynamic, live, and musical. I have no idea why this is true.
You're taking the right approach in considering ALL variables that you can, and I wish you luck. Cheers. Craig