Test a new dedicated circuit before installing it.


So, I may take the plunge and run a 10/2 romex to my system. I'm slowly building/rebuilding my (midfi, gravitating higher) set up and sort of going backwards with first buying cables, conditioners, etc before the big components such as integrated amp or preamp.
Anyway, before installing in the wall, I wonder if I could just hook up the romex into my panel and do a quick connect since its only a 25 ft long cable I will be using anyway. I just purchased those little noise detection tools which may help see if there is any difference. I'm just trying to avoid running a circuit in the wall in a box if it ultimately won't help.

Currently I have a dedicated 20 amp 12/2 but there is more than one receptacle on it but the others are just not used. The only thing used on it is my AV setup.

Worth it? 
cissado

Showing 5 responses by cissado

I have about 6 receptacles on the current circuit, but only the AV system is using it. Using 2 of the receptacles. They are daisychained like MC mentioned. I guess connecting the wires together and pigtailed off them onto the receptacle would be better than going through the receptacles to finish the circuit.

The intention was to install one receptacle and plug in 2 x Niagara 1200 units to that receptacle.  Then, everything would plug into them.

I'm lazy enough to just leave it as is and just plug what I have now,  then plug  into the 2 Niagaras.

I already ordered the tester, so I'm sure I'll Tinker with it.

Thanks for the replies. 

My panel is < ten feet away from my system and I have some access to the area. But again, lazy...
I've tested my voltage over the course of a day and it was 123v constant. No fluctuation at all. 

So, if I pigtailed to a SB receptacle would it still be beneficial using that existing circuit and coupled with the Niagara 1200's? The noise floor, to my untrained ears is pretty low, but I do hear a slight hiss from 10 inches away from the tweeters. 

I'm trying to do the "can't really hurt" little things while waiting to upgrade other components. 
First, I'm here to ask questions because I don't know the answers. I'm going to have to re-read this thread more carefully to fully absorb it. I'm not sure if all the answers were agreeing. So I would have to decide who is right and who is wrong. More reading. 

I already purchased the tester. I'm not going to return it. No big deal. I saw someone demonstrate it on the Niagara 1200 and thought it was interesting, so I bought it. I figured I would see what my numbers were before and after, and possibly after a 10 gauge cable run... I wish I would have asked before the purchase. 
Thank you for the info about the hiss at the tweeter. I asked and you answered. I am of the belief that the more info the better when asking questions. That's why I mentioned all the above. Sometimes it's important. Writing facts about the rest of my system may have come across as argumentative or defiant, but it was just adding more info to my questions so one can get a better understanding of the situation. 

Thanks again, I'll just keep reading.
MC, I've seen your posts against HT receivers. We all have our limits i guess.  My goal is to get an uber(to me) integrated amp with HT bypass. I absolutely love my setup right now. Its not broke, but I want better 2 channel. While waiting to decide, I figured I would add these extras like speaker cable, interconnects, new circuit, receptacle, conditioner, gaia feet,... maybe all if them cumulatively would make a difference when I do change equipment.

I'm still deciding between integrated and get rid of my Anthem str amp, or preamp and keep the amp.

I'm getting there. It will never be ideal because some things can't be changed, like an 80 inch tv right between the speakers, and furniture, coffee table etc etc... but we do what we can.

Thanks again for your time.
I just ran a 10-2 romex to the panel. Not bad for an existing wall, putting in an old work box and ran into the panel in less than an hour.  Total cost <$40.  Can't go wrong with that in terms of time and money. Let's see if I hear a difference. Nah, not yet, I'm still upgrading to make a difference I think. The only thing I will probably change is the receptacle. I just got one to finish the job for now. It's a heavy duty commercial grade or something. It has somewhat of a good grip on the plugs and that's what I wanted for now. 

The Niagara 1200 is coming in 2 days. Will be putting that into use.

Thanks again for all the guidance.