Sources for information and/or advice on dedicated AC lines desired


I have relocated, and the new house will allow me to at long last have dedicated AC power lines in the music listening room. Halleluiah! I’ve seen the topic discussed over the years, and have a general idea of what is needed, but can I get recommendations of sources of information about the details of what the optimum power and wiring system is, and exactly what to have done by a professional electrician (in the event that is necessary) to achieve it? And/or personal advice on wiring and power sources (excluding power conditioners---I mean just raw power. I already have Shunyata and Bybee units for conditioning) required for optimum sound quality? For instance:

- How many separate lines from the main panel to the room? Separate lines for sources vs. amps, analog vs. digital? My system sources are LP, analog tape, digital, and FM radio. Three tube pre-amps, a couple of tube and three SS power amps. And ESL speakers and powered subs also needing AC, of course.

- Amperage advisable for each line? 20 Amps?

- What to look for to determine if the already-installed wire is sufficient? And if it is not, the type and gauge of wire to have installed? 10g Romex?

- Grounding---metal rod into the earth?

- Anything else of concern not listed above.

Thanks for any recommendations of sources of information. Personal recommendations and/or advice also welcomed!

128x128bdp24

Showing 4 responses by ghosthouse

Hello bdp. We did a renovation of an already finished basement that allowed installation of dedicated 20 amp lines for a music listening area. I suspect what we did is sort of a basic/minimum.  Were we building anew "from the studs", as it were, there are a couple of additional things we’d have done.  Basically all we did was run 3 separate lines w/standard Romex cable from an existing sub panel. I had 3 duplex Cabledyne (cyro’d Hubbell) outlets installed at the end of each run.  That doesn't represent a personal position on the merits of cryo treatment, simply that the Cabledyne outlets were well reviewed and affordable and cryo’ing is what Cabledyne does to them.

Ideally, I’d have liked to install a separate panel connected directly to the line from the street and supporting only the 3 new lines. Separate grounding for it as necessary. Not in the budget. Our sub panel does have a few other circuits on it but, fortunately, not the main house power draws. My thought is if you contact a local A/V store (or audio store) you can get a recommendation for an electrician they’ve used to do installations. Pretty sure it is not rocket science and a competent, licensed electrician will be able to give you good advice.

Good luck.

Hey BDP...again, good luck to you. You certainly got a good number of tips from the members to at least consider.

I wanted to mention PorterPorts as another option for your outlets. I can’t swear these so-called "audiophile" grade outlets make a big difference to the sound vs a cheaper builder’s grade outlet (I never did any A/B testing)...but, neither the Cabledynes or the PorterPorts (i.e., cryo’d outlets from Albert Porter, A’gon member) are that expensive and I’m not an extravagant spender. Anyway, might as well go for something like them given this opportunity you have.

For me, in the lessons learned category...
I have a very modest APC H-10 power conditioner on the middle line. Sources (e.g., CDP, DAC, TT & phono-pre) are plugged into this. Amp (power & pre) go direct to wall outlet(s). During winter, when the heat pump kicks on - even though it’s on the main panel and not on the sub panel for the dedicated lines - there’s enough (momentary voltage drop from the furnace power draw?) that I can hear the APC click on and respond as it is designed to do. I don’t hear any change in the music; the APC intervention is VERY brief...but this is why, if we had the budget and time, I would love to have installed another line from the street to a completely separate panel (not just a sub panel) to power the audio gear. Maybe Whart’s & Folkfreak’s transformer suggestions would fix this without a 2nd line going to the house. Dunno.


Hi Whart...is this the Tripp Lite unit you mentioned?

http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-IS1000-Isolation-Transformer/dp/B00006HPFI

To clarify about what I was describing (hopefully this will be of value to BDP, too) ... it's not an audio related pump but rather the house heating system heat pump coming on and causing a very brief voltage sag that the APC corrects.  Fortunately, no noise is heard through the audio system when this happens.  Funny though, a nearby closet light switch on a totally separate circuit WILL cause a nasty snap audible through the system if it's turned on while the gear is powered up.  Put a piece of tape over the switch as a reminder and I just don't flip it when the system is on.



Thanks for the follow up Whart.  Hopefully it's of use to bdp.  

heheheh..."don't throw that switch!"   Exactly.