Material Specifications/Layout for AC line


Calling Sean, Lak and other informed Audiogoners!! I know that there are all kinds of discussions both current and in the archives regarding dedicated audio ac circuits, but I'd really appreciate some definitive suggestions regarding layout and materials. I know a retired union electrician so I know that I'm in good hands installation-wise. I'd really like some direction regarding layout and material specifications for my system, modest as it may be. Blue Circle 21.1 linestage preamp/Cary 308T cd player/Marantz SA 8260 sacd player/Odyssey Audio Stratos Extreme amp and Magnepan 1.6 QR speakers. I've got some good power cords already (VH Audio Flavor 4, Hot Box and Blue Circle BC 61's).

Thanks in advance.

BTW, I've posted the same question over at AA.
beatlebum

Showing 1 response by rooze

Tim,
If your circuit board is only 20' away from your system, you have the opportunity to run straight from the board into your monoblocks. I did this recently with a Krell, and it works great. I bought the parts for the CVH V4, including cryo'd cables, and bought a gold pin Wattgate IEC 20 amp. I then followed the CVH design, and ran the cable straight from the circuit breaker to the amp, without passing through an outlet. There is no circuit protection in a power outlet, so you are not doing anything 'unsafe'. It cuts out a potentially resistive connection, and provides the RFI protection all the way back to the circuit board, instead of just a short way from the outlet to the amp. Parts were quite expensive, since my run was 25', it came to around $300 with the $100 Wattgate. You would need two runs, since you have monoblocks. In this crazy world of audio hell, I can't think of anything that I've done in my system for $300 that sounded better.
As a tip, to get from the basement circuit board into the listening room, I removed the power outlet, and the back-box on the outlet and retained the outlet cover plate...then just passed the cable through the cover plate and into the basement.

Rooze