UPgradeing dedicated line components


Six months ago I installed 3 dedicated lines for audio. One to amp, one to preamp, and one to digital. I used standard solid core 10ga romex for amp and 12 ga otherwise. I have a Square D box with distance to outlets not more than 20'. Used hospital grade outlets, however inexpensive ones.

I seek input on value of:
1) Upgrading the breakers in the square D box.
2) Replacing the romex for 10ga stranded cable for all lines.
3) Upgrading the outlets to PS audio or something of ~equal value.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts. Mike
mesch
I really wasn't expecting that much of an improvement when I replaced the entry level Cu IEC from Furutech with the Furutech FR 48 R.

Wow.
I was curious if I would notice much if any improvement,because the entry level IEC Furutechs were much better than the stock ones, how much better could it get?
I am glad my curiosity got the better of me.

A bit off topic,but I also did another upgrade to the RCA connectors on my 25 foot IC.
They had decent WBT type locking connectors.
I replaced those with Furutech CR 102 R.

Again I wasn't expecting a great difference,the IEC replacement was a gem, could I get lucky twice?

Yes.

The sound just tightened up even more, more reverb details and trails, and a smoother sound to massed violins.
I never heard Lambchop Mr M, Antony and the Johnsons strings sound as clean and full bodied as they do now, and I haven't even put more than 2 hours on these upgrades.
If more playing time brings further enhancements,this will have proven to be one of my better upgrades.

The lesson I have learned is that the connectors play a crucial role in shaping the sound.
Moved to a new home 3 weeks ago and have just installed an upgraded dedicated circuit. Main panel is Cutler-Hammer CH series with copper bus bar, subpanel is GE Master Load Center with copper bus-bar. The subpanel is tied to the main with massive 6/4 conduit and I'm using 10/2 Romex (for now,...other options too pricey at 16-25 dollars per foot, with 5 outlets I needed about 150 feet of cable) BUT I have installed an Environmental Potentials EP-2050 on the main house panel to protect everything and an EP-2750 Ground Filter on the dedicated circuit. I have heard nothing but good things about the EP units and that combined with the copper busbar panels should be a nice upgrade in the entire system's sound....very excited to hear the result once i finish unpacking!
After the first 2 days of hearing the new circuit with the sub-panel and the EP 2050 and 2750 installed I can report the circuit is whisper quiet and even though all the components had been shutdown and boxed up for just short of a month, the system wow'ed me from the start. The EP units are not inexpensive nor was the electric work that was done however it definitely was well worth the time and cost to make it all happen.

I had to live without a dedicated circuit and full sub-panel install for many years for various reasons; this was well worth the wait!

Lacee: Took a look at your system listing; do you have any pics to post? It looks like a very nice selection of gear and I'd like to know how you've treated your room as I've never done a lot in this area as other things had to come first. The other thing to consider is that in the last house, a sub-panel was impossible both due to WAF as well as physical limitations. What I was able to have done back in 2008 was a single dedicated circuit, 1st breaker off the main, pulled with flex conduit and individual 10-gauge conductors to a j-box that split off into 2 different banks of outlets. The results with that too were worth the stretch and time/cost. Are you able to run conduit/wire of any kind where you are?
I run three dedicated lines from 20 amp breakers using #10 solid core romex.Not a fancy professional job, but the results are worth the effort.
I run one line directly from the panel into my Shunyata power conditioner using a Furutech 20 amp connector.
Each power amp is also wired direct from the panel with Furutech connectors at the end of the wire and at the amp.

I was using mostly dIY room treatment,but in March I bought 2 ceiling mounted clouds and 4 corner traps for the wall behind my Acoustats(floor to ceiling).
I have a half trap 16 ASC trap in my third corner, the fourth corner is open to a stair way.First reflection points and the area behind and in the centre of the speakers are currently DIY absorbing panels, which will be replaced in the future with GIK products.
I also have an array of ASC mini traps on the wall behind the listening seat and a DIY centre absorber in the centre which I will also replace with a GIK product.

The power and room treatment aspects of this hobby were always put on the back burner,only to be considered when I had found a system that I could live with for the long haul.

I am sure in hindsite, had I addressed these issues in the past I could have saved myself a lot of money and frustration flitting from amp to amp, speaker to speaker.But that's all part of the game.

However,the room and the power delivery affects everything, so do it right and whatever you have will sound it's best.
A lesson learned, but never too late.