2. cables
  3. 176414-125055

Installing dedicated 10 gauge lines

Everyone keeps saying how important it is to have a dedicated 10 gauge line from your breaker box to your amp (I have a Diablo 300), and a second one to your source components (primarily an InnuOS Zenith Mk 3 streamer/Roon core).

I would love to do this, but isn’t this a major expense, like $15k or more? Does all the drywall back to the breaker box need to be ripped out to install the new lines?

Sorry if these are dumb questions. If the answer to the above is yes and yes, this project definitely won’t get past my wife!

As an aside, on the same 15A circuit, I have my amp, streamer, a Mac Mini that is normally on, my TV, video game consoles, and a network switch. So, obviously not ideal but out of all of these the only things that are on while I’m listening to music, beyond my amp and streamer, are the Max Mini and the network switch which supplies network connections to my tv and game consoles.

Hoping installing the dedicated line installation somehow doesn’t require drywall ripping and replacement?

 

 

 

 

 

 

nyev

Showing 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 

Thanks Erik for the tips especially regarding 240V. I would not have thought of that.

You are welcome.

Don’t forget to add a whole house surge suppressor while you are in there though, especially if you are in lightning prone areas.

Also consider using unique, locking, 240V plug and socket so it never gets misidentified.

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 

For the Diablo, consider having it adjusted to run with 240V and running 12/2 Romex instead of 10/2. Using 240V / 20A circuit the Diablo 300 will require a 6.3A fuse, which leaves a big ratio between circuit capacity and amp needs of about 3:1.  This ratio is actually a bit better than you'd get with 10/2 at 120V:  30 Amps possible / 12A needed, so closer to 2:1

In addition, running 240V the voltage drop will be halved for the same distance given the Diablo 300. A much stiffer situation.

 

Best,

 

Erik

 

 

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