What's involved in dedicated lines

Gjkphd, some time ago several folks posted about comparing circuit breakers to the old style screw-in fuses. Their conclusion was that the old-style screw-in fuses sounded better, and that the even older glass fuses sounded better than the "newer" ceramic ones. I've never experimented with it, so I can't comment from personal experience.

That said, a major improvement from what you have today would be accomplished simply from pulling, cleaning and then reconnecting the applicable electrical cables, including the primary feeds, in your electrical panel (definitely professional ELECTRICIAN time). If you move forward with the dedicated lines, you'll get this automatically from the new lines. But while you have the electrician in the box, pull, clean and reconnect the mains lines and ground line as well. If you additonally apply some Walker Audio SST contact enhancer as you re-make the connections, you'll get an added improvement.

Gjkphd, like I said, my suggestion to change from a fusebox to breakers is more of a homeowner's perspective than an audiophile's. I honestly don't know how or if it would affect the audio quality. But I've been looking at a lot of houses to buy recently, & an old fusebox is definitely not desirable. Even 150 year old houses in nice condition will usually have updated electrical (circuit breakers). All I'm saying is, if you're going to spend $$ to get dedicated lines, when you're getting estimates, get a quote on this; it might not be more than a few hundred $$, & would be a nice update to your house, help the resale value, etc.

BTW, the fact that you have some 20 amp fuses doesn't necessarily mean they are on a "20 amp line". People use 20 amp fuses all the time (when 15 amp fuses are called for) because the 15 amp fuses blow when they plug in an A/C or something.

I realize this may be a bit O/T for your audio issues; just my 2 cents worth.

thanks you guys, I do have the old style screw in glass fuses and I know that if I ever sell my home I'd need to convert to circuit breakers. And Steveaudio, your point about the 20 amp fuses was not O/T as that was my question, did a 20 amp fuse mean it's a 20 amp line, I guess not necessarily. What I want to do is get an estimate from an electrician and combine fuses to breakers with the dedicated line, maybe save some money if I do it as a package.

If I had an untouched, unmaintained home electrical system since the late '50's, I'd have much, much bigger concerns than sound quality. Have your guy pull a kitchen ceiling fixture and check the condition of the wire entering the outlet box. Betcha' a beer the insulation crumbles right off.

I'd get a new service panel yesterday, and a new lateral from the utility if the current one is anything less than the minimum 100A now required. I'd replace every receptacle and wall switch. I'd inspect and redo the entire grounding system as required, and bring it up to current code standards. And yeah, I'd rewire the branch circuits. Throw in smoke & CO detectors, a fire extinguisher in every bedroom and on every floor, a practiced evac plan with the entire family, and then, and only then could I give a ratsass about *my stereo.

I'd sell my stereo stuff in a heartbeat in order to pay for Life Safety home improvements; I just look into the faces of my family and realize they depend on me to make them safe at home.

Good point, Shasta. Safety first.