Harry, we didn't use any of the audiophile in-wall wire. We did use a good quality metal clad cable with isolated neutral suitable for hospital installation (green in color, three insulated wires, white/black/green, plus a fourth bare grounding wire). Nothing special about the metal clad other than the added shielding it provides. Also didn't test it for directionality before installing it. (I'm a believer in directionality of wire for audio circuits, and I believe people who say they have observed the difference for power installation. We just didn't take the time given everything else I was working on at the time.) I can certainly hear the improvement made by the dedicated lines; don't know what more improvement could be achieved with the audiophile in-wall wire since I haven't tried any of it.
Looking for dedicated power line advice.
I've read just about everything I can find on running dedicated power lines. I met with a good electrician and he is going to run a dedicated line from the main panel to a 6 breaker subpanel with 6 20amp lines to my system. I have lots of questions. Here are a few:
(1) Should all 6 outputs be in the same phase? I've read conflicting opinions. In one of Jonathan Scull's Stereophile "Fine Tunes" columns he suggests that the AC output to a pair of monoblocks should be out of phase. This way noise will cancel out.
(2) Is it worth it to use Wattgate outlets ($150/ea) and will there be audible differences from Hubbel or Marinco or Leviton which would be MUCH cheaper?
(3) Is it worth it to use JPS Labs in-wall cable at $18/ft? Would Virtual Dynamics cable at $6/ft sound as good?? What about much cheaper Romex??
I figure I'm only going to do this once......but I hate dropping a ton of cash unless there is going to be an audible difference.
Thanks for the help!!!
(1) Should all 6 outputs be in the same phase? I've read conflicting opinions. In one of Jonathan Scull's Stereophile "Fine Tunes" columns he suggests that the AC output to a pair of monoblocks should be out of phase. This way noise will cancel out.
(2) Is it worth it to use Wattgate outlets ($150/ea) and will there be audible differences from Hubbel or Marinco or Leviton which would be MUCH cheaper?
(3) Is it worth it to use JPS Labs in-wall cable at $18/ft? Would Virtual Dynamics cable at $6/ft sound as good?? What about much cheaper Romex??
I figure I'm only going to do this once......but I hate dropping a ton of cash unless there is going to be an audible difference.
Thanks for the help!!!
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- 17 posts total
Hbrandt, Don't exactly know why you are going so gung-ho on using "audiophile" in-wall wire for your dedicated lines. It seems to be a wasted expense - this was my gut feeling & it seems to be verified by several other members. I think that Belden in-wall cables just might do the trick. I doubt that it is much better than the plain-old Romex wire that electricians usually use. My friend bought THHN wire from Home Depot to do the re-wiring for his room & he is happy w/ the results. Subaruguru sells some reasonable DIY power cords, in-wall wiring (from Belden, I think) & other AC power stuff that might be of interest to you. Here is a link to his ad: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?cablpowr&1091878265 I think that you will gain the most from the fact that you are laying dedicated lines more so than using "audiophile" in-wall wire. Of course, JMHO. YMMV. |
- 17 posts total