PC & Dedicated Power Lines Questions


I'm about ready to upgrade my powerlines with dedicated 10awg 20A runs. To see what's in my system, click "system". I have just added a Shunyata Hydra 8, but haven't upgraded it's power cord yet (thought I'd make my own). A little background, I'm a electronic tech and I work on big servo looped systems (CNC mills, stretch presses that are analog feedback). So I know how important it is for good cableing with no noise. Most my power cords are DIY with either 10AWG wire or beldon 83803 with Oyaide P/C-79 connectors. My amps still have the OEM cords for now untill I get my incoming power straightened out.
Question 1) I was going to add 3 incoming lines with 10AWG wire on 20A curcuits off of the same leg or phase. One for each mono amp (might add my soround amps on them too) and a third to power all the front end stuff including a TV. Is this overkill? Should I just plug the hydra in my already supplied 15A line (it has a pass-Seymour outlet) and just add dedicated power for my amps?
Question 2) Power Cords. I just can't beleave the cost of these!! I can get hi quality fine strand 10awg copper twisted 4 conductor cable for free. I also have a bunch of 5 cond 16awg twisted with sheild. I was tempted to make power cords for my amps and Hydra from this and I have made some power strips already with Oyaide and Pass & Seymour outlets (see my system for pic under Oyaide). The Beldon 83803 is a PITA to work with and in my field it is considered cheap cable. I'm suriosly looking at VH Audio Flavor 4 DIY cords with Oyaide connectors. Flovor 4 for amps and Flavor 2 fro my Preamp. I have a sheilded beldon on my CD player now. What are your thoughts?? What PC cord should I use for the Hydra, was going to buy a used Shunyata Python Alpha, but just thinking of making a flavor 4 for it? Sorry for the long post but am curious to opinions. Thanks.
Scott
sgsoundnut

Showing 3 responses by tbg

I know it is opening pandora's box, but I have two dedicated lines in my room and only use one. I have only found limited success with ac filtering and none at all with surge protection devices. My house was once hit by lightening with a surge protector on my computer. Both were taken out by the strike. Later with my entire system on and plugged into a Sound Application filter, lightening struck the water heater only 6 feet away. The strike took out my garage opener, the intercom system, my wireless phones, and blew a hole in my gas line. My stereo system was unaffected. When we have a storm, I unplug everything.

If you get a surge device, get one with a guarantee. You will need it. Your sound will be worse as a result of using it.

I have everything plugged into a single IsoClean wall outlet but only the line stage has an ac ground. This is far superior to any sound I have had before, largely I think due to the Stealth Dream power cords.
Nsgarch, I do have the good fortune of having stable voltage. I borrowed a chart recorder from a friend in the EE department and monitored it for a week. It deviated .4 volts over the entire period. It is a municipal utility and has current equipment, but I was truly impressed. I have tried the PS Audio regenerators in their first version. Fortunately, I don't need them.

Thanks for the kind words.
Sgsoundnut, this was over a 30 year period. We have recently been twice missed by tornados by less than a block in one case and by being jumped over in another. Neither did anything to our electricity. Obviously, wind is a problem here but seldom affects our electricity. Good tree trimming I guess is responsible.