New Dedicated Line - Almost No improvement

@nonoise 

+1

Wow… lots of unhelpful techno babble.

You did not listen to your system before and after the install. Based on my experience and that of many other people dedicated lines always improve the sound. I think you need to believe it very likely your system sounds better than it would have without it. Moving into a new space means everything has changed. Room acoustics power… etc. I wouldn’t pay attention to the meter.

Second, I would while you move is new, have another line put in. Typically one for the amp and one for the rest of the equipment. All direct lines tend to make a big difference.

Next, power conditioner… yes. Very occasionally they don’t do anything… but that is very seldom. After I had my second direct line installed I swapped my 20 year old power conditioner for a high quality power distribution strip (Cardas). That lasted 30 seconds and the power conditioner went back in.

Separate breaker box: No.

It would be great to see your system in its new location. There is a place to put it under your UserID. It is not a fashion show… this is a bunch of audio geeks… so we like to see the equipment and venue.

If you need to add an additional breaker box make sure your dedicated lines (hopefully you will be adding one for your amp) are wired into the same box… otherwise this may cause a ground loop.  I’ll leave the details of wiring to others. Only, they make a difference… both.

On the spousal acceptance factor. This is definitely something to consider. Personally I would rather put my system in a small room that I control versus a big communal room. Treatments and careful choices can make a system sound amazing in a large closet… but a really expensive system can end up sounding not so good when placement is compromised and treatments (especially something like lots of windows) cannot be installed. 
 

Installing dedicated lines should not be astronomically expensive. Twenty years ago… I think one cost me $300… last year $1,500 (it was a hard location to get to). The $1,500 was well worth it. It doesn’t take any sophisticated electrician… in fact, most of them think you are crazy. You just tell them what you want. For me, five years would be well worth the sound quality improvement I received.

An audio friend of mine really got into it with high end audio wiring and lots of extras. I think he thought it worth while. But you get a lot for just the basics. 10 gauge Romex.