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What do I do for a dedacated circuit?

First off, Id like to say sorry for all the times this has been asked on this board. I have already read some of the other times this question has been asked. Now that I am ready to do this myself, I thought I would get the opinion of the experts first.

If I have an electrition install a dedicated circuit, would I want that circuit indapendantly grounded?

I am going to buy an outlet from First Impression Music, so I know that I would need copper wire only.

I dont know that much about electricity, but I am assuming I would need a 20 amperes circuit. Is that correct?

My amplifier is plugged directly into the wall recepticle, along with a power conditioner that feeds my pre and cd player.

Would I want to have two dedicated circuits installed so I can run just my power amp off one and my pre & cd player off the other? Or is one fine?

How would I know that the electricion actually did what he was supposed to do? Is there someone I could have come out to my house in the Sacramento, CA. area to actually inspect it? Or is there anyone who is an audiophile/electricion or just a trustworthy electricion who makes it out to the Sacramento, CA. area that you could suggest?

If you could answer my questions for me that would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you
verybestaudio
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Sorry for posting a question on the discussion but I have one:
Why would you need 20amp for small signal components and sources?
I believe that you only need 20amp for power amplifier or 2X20 for monoblocks. The rest of equipment doesn't need that much of a dedicated power.
abstract7
541 posts
 
Marakanetz:
You're right, but the larger breakers typically have better contact and I've been told are quieter. I don't know if that's true--but it really doesn't cost any more, and there's no harm in it. Keep in mind there's another 220v breaker back at the panel--that's why it's okay to have 4 20amp circuits on a 60amp incoming source--and it's unlikely you'll trip that because you will never (as you pointed out) use anywhere close to the 20amps on source components.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Veryb; Abstract7 and Justlisten give excellent advice, and I agree with them. I have five 20 amp dedicated outlets with a separate ground from the dedicated sub-main panel (I'm in Oregon). I had an electrician install my whole system, and I watched the whole process. IMO, electricians are pros and just as honest as you and I.

As Abstract7 says, you'll probably want more than 1 or 2 ded. outlets-- more are better, and it only costs a little more as long as the electrician is there. If you don't have them, you might want to go to good quality power cords also-- of your choice-- I found them necessary with ded. outlets. I applaud your choice of the FIM outlet(s)-- they're great. BTW, good quality AC is the foundation of high quality music and you're headed in the right direction. Good Luck. Craig
verybestaudio OP
10 posts
 
Would just a dedicated curcuit by itself make the music sound better?
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Verybest; simple answer is yes. Dedicated AC circuits have ONLY your stereo equipment plugged into them. And the dedicated circuit greatly lowers noise floor. Craig
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