How Dedicated Must a Dedicated Circuit Be?

Peter,

I had a listening room with just this sort of configuration once, and the electrical power seemed quite good. The trade-offs you're making are:

1. Each of your lines has multiple breaks in the electrical cable along the way as the cable is cut and terminated into the various "daisy-chained" receptacles. Each of these connection points is an opportunity for poor electrical conductivity and the introduction of noise into your lines. (A partial remedy is to go to each receptacle, pull it, clean the contacts/wire, treat the connection with a contact enhancer (recommend SST), and reconnect.)

2. You don't have an isolated ground in the circuit, which can be an advantage in further reducing some noise. An isolated ground is a fourth wire in the cable (green insulation covering, in the US) that runs from the gounding lug of the receptacle all the way back to the grounding plane at the panel and is not common to other grounding wires (typically uninsulated copper wire) along the way. (I think this part of the puzzle is referred to as "isolated ground" and is different than and in addition to "dedicated circuit.")

Good luck.

Greetings,
Will a "power conditioner" counter the effects of the subject? If so, any recommendations?
Many Thanks,
Steve Bennett

A dedicated line is like being pregnant. It either is or isn't.

If it's just incandescent lighting and it's for the source and/or pre-amp, it should not be a big deal.

But if the circuit is for the amplifier, it most likely will affect the dynamics during demanding passages. You'd be amazed at what small consumptions of power for other items can do.

Just in case you are not certain, you don't ever want to install a 20 amp circuit breaker on a line running 15 amp romex and outlets. You'll need to run 12 gauge or better for the 20amp upgrade and switch to 20 amp outlets.

-IMO

It must be dedicated to the one it loves.

Hi,

I agree with Stenho, don't know about the light being a grunge filer. I have a dedicated listening room with large SS amp, cd player, and N802 speakers. I tried using existing power which was the same as yours 15 amp circuit multiple plugs daisey chained and a ceiling light. I noticed at night that while playing demanding music the light pulsated to the bass. Needless to say it convinced me that I needed a truly dedicated circuit. My electrician recommended a isolated ground mentioned in one of the post and 10 gauge. True you only need 12 gauge for 20 amp but if you are pulling a new circuit the wire will be the cheapest part of the upgrade. I went overboard and pulled stranded 10 gauge copper which I had cryoed along with the new breaker. In a word it raelly made a difference.

Ps: If you are running a dedicated circuit consider using 10/3 that way if you have room on your panel for two new breakers you can split your analog and digital. I ended up with a quad wall plug 20 amps each side.

Since my living room lights dimmed when I turned my amp on, I had my electrician neighbor run two Hubble outlets recommended by the Cable Co. down to, I believe one circuit breaker of their own, with regular Romex. The result was a big improvement, and no dimming lights, somewhat of a loss, as turning on the amp always impressed the neighbors. More than made up for by the improvement in sound. Now I dream of 2 circuit breakers and dividing up the amp and the rest of the system. How exactly do you get that lightbulb in before the rest of the system? Now they got those $50 outlets...and I thought $12.50 an outlet was a lot of money.

Sbennett268, a power conditioner won't substitute for a dedicated line with isolated ground. Generally, you'll be better off spending your money on the separate circuit if you're in a position to make a choice between the two.
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