Really good home electrical wiring.

If I read your post correctly, looks like you still intend to order the Wattgate AC outlets. Is this correct? In response to your question about THHN, I think the insulation (and tightness of same) is perhaps superior to Romex. However, THHN is generally stranded, and when used for AC power distribution, sounds inferior than solid core Romex. I do use the THHN stranded in my system, but it is exclusively for the dedicated ground from each Hubbell AC outlet, to a ground rod. In that case, the stranded offers some advantage in bleeding off microscopic RF, EMI and small current leakages. On the power side of the situation, I avoid the stranded THHN for the same reason, I prefer 120 V, 60 HZ, without encouraging these same artifacts to enter through my systems power supply. I have no comments on the isolation transformers and line balancers, as I have no experience with them. I can say that I have tried dozens of line conditioners, filters and name brand transformers, and in my system, they all degrade the sound. This could reverse if you lived in a building where multiple families share the same electrical service. In that situation, the quality loss from inserting these devices could be less damaging than the gain of removing all your neighbors noise and ground problems. By the way, the name Romex is a registered trade mark, just like Kleenex and Band Aid. This is a brand name for a particular sheathed multi conductor solid core electrical cable. My last word of advice is to use this actual brand name, or another of equal quality. The no name cheap rolls of cable at the discount supply are a poor investment when you consider the cost of labor to install and the price of your components.

THHN is available in solid core, and is used in most commercial buildings for 120 VAC in either 10, 12 or 14 gauge, depending on the expected amp draw for the circuit. The solid core does sound better to me than the stranded, and heavier gauge generally helps the sound. My listening room has a separate sub-panel, with 3/4 inch minimum conduit ran to the dedicated outlets. The nice thing about running conduit is that if you hear about an up-grade, you can change the wiring in your walls without getting into the sheetrock repair. I can't tell you how many times I've tried different wire brands and gauge size on the different outlets, but it has been a few. It all makes a difference.

Albert-I have not made a decision yet on the outlets. I was planning to put in Hubble, and then found Wattgate's web page and was intrigued so I called them. I was surprised when I learned whom I was speaking to on the phone; it was Ray Kimber (Kimber cable). Ray told me that they take the Leviton (which he felt was slightly better than Hubble, but said both were very good) and improve upon it. He said no matter what I did (Hubble, Leviton or Wattgate) I would be happy but said the Wattgate was the best choice if I could afford them. In addition, Ray is the one that recommended THHN in lieu of Romex, he said that it was what he was using. OTHER: I am living in a relatively new home (six years old) and I believe that we are the only ones “on” the transformer. Have you tried the Richard Gray Power Company? I have ordered (6) of them so far, but was planning to buy a total of (10).

Recres-The "stranded" THHN was recommended to me by Ray Kimber (Kimber Cable), he said it was what he was using. Have you ever tried (or heard about) the 8-gauge wiring that JPS Labs sells for wiring your home?

What ever you use, make use it listed for use in Dwellings and complys with all the requirments of your local Building Department. Signed "Your Local Building Inspector"