Electrical - Romex Wiring and Other Recommended Enhancements


I am moving and will be hiring an electrician to add some wall plugs to accommodate my system needs.

I am using after market cruzeFIRST Maestro Outlet plugs but was needing some guidance on which Romex wiring to use from the electrical box, grounding enhancements, etc.  Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.  

I am using High Fidelity Hemisphere conditioner...

Thanks.

thankful
@thankful 
Can you use 15amp rated power cords with 20 amp plugs?

If I interpret your question strictly as written the answer is no. You cannot put a NEMA 5-20P (plug) on a 15A cable as it's a hazard -- even if you only use it on a device that draws <15A someone might use it on a device that draws more and cause a fire.

However what I think you mean to ask is "Can you use 15A power cords with 20A receptacles" and the answer is yes. The 5-20R (receptacle) is compatible with both 15 and 20A plugs and in fact most (if not all) audiophile receptacles are 20A ones (with the t-shaped top left female connection)
12/2 is sufficient for a 20 Amp circuit; 10/2 can handle a 30 amp circuit. 14/2 is only good for a 15A circuit. I would suggest running multiple 20A circuits with 12/2. Most important is to not have light dimmers, circuits that feed fluorescent lights / hairdryers, etc. on the same circuit.

You can also keep your audio circuits on the same buss bar in the fusebox to help mitigate ground loops. Put your noisy dimmers, etc. on the other buss bar.
dimora
12/2 is sufficient for a 20 Amp circuit; 10/2 can handle a 30 amp circuit. 14/2 is only good for a 15A circuit.
Not necessarily. It depends, in part, on the length of the run from panel to receptacle. If in the US, check NEC.
Based on everything I have read it sounds like I should:
1. Use 20 amp circuit breakers in the electrical box
2. Use 12/2 wire
3. Have electrician drill separate holes for each wire ran to/from box (at least 1.5 inches a part)
4. Have dedicated /separate circuits to avoid ground loopsquality breakers
5. Purchase good quality breakers, ABB is the preferred brand   
6. They should stay on the same buss bar to avoid ground loops

I have not measured but I am guessing about 20' to 30' from the electrical box to the location where the plugs will go. I plan on using my  cruzeFIRST Maestro Outlet plugs in the home I am closing on this Thursday.
My equipment is Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated
Lampizator Amber II DAC
Opportunity 105D
Auralic Aries streamer
High Fidelity Cable Hemisphere

One of my main concerns is not to do anything that could fry my equipment.  I believe with the above I should be okay.  If anyone sees any concerning issues please let me know.

Thanks all for your assistance and feedback!







I'm being told by someone I trust that 15A breakers are far more advisable to avoid the chance of frying wire and house fires. I'm no EE but think that it is true that just because an amp or preamp has a 20A IEC receptacle does not mean you need to feed it 20A for optimum performance. Under all but the most unusual circumstances, your gear will get all the power they need with a 15A breaker. At the end of the day, the capacity of the breaker is about convenience-not having to worry about the breaker tripping. The trade-off is that the higher the amperage of the breaker, the less protection you have. I would rather have the inconvenience of resetting the breaker and the peace of mind. As an insurance lawyer, I have seen first-hand that house fires have occurred due to unnecessarily high amperage breakers.