Dedicated line

Thanks guys! J_k, I checked the Audioquest page: http://www.audioquest.com/theory/theory9.html#power and there were a couple of paragraphs on AC-12, sounds good. "AudioQuest AC-12 is a 12 awg x 3 cable using four separate solid18 awg OFHC conductors for hot, four for neutral and a 12 awg stranded conductor for earth. AC 12 is surprisingly flexible considering the serious ingredients inside. Brute force, superior materials and design, plus a powerful RF Stopper, explain why this cable works so very well. UL and CSA." Wonder what's the cost? JPS also had a page on Power AC 8AWG Home AC wire. Before they removed the price on page it was $30 per/ft. with a minimum 100ft order. This is over my budget of $1,000 for the project. Since I am not spending on the power conditioners I figure this would be alright if I am not moving house before 5 years! Sol322 I agree, I think dedicated lines help compliment powercords if they do the job of helping shield against RF. Thanks for reminding me about the breakers, I will have brand new breakers. With an investment like this I want to do it right. But I am still thinking about the grounding source that Johnmhuntbch mentioned. If I run the ground from the circuit box to outlet it would be making full use of a cable like AudioQuest. If a separate ground line is run to the OUTLET then essentially the ground on the AC-12 would be "wasted" (although the cable housing would still shield the background noise)….hmmm. A separate ground sounds sensible, as it will be isolated from the interference from other outlets. Any thoughts?

Glim: I also have separate ground for my 2 12AWG 110 lines for my system: one is for the amp the other for front end. Breakers are 20 amp. I´m considering to go heavier in the amp line though... Regards

Thanks very much, Sol322 that's what I will do and will perhaps post the results on this thread in a couple of weeks. Does anyone know where I can get AudioQuest AC-12?

Yesterday, I installed 2 dedicated lines. Unfortunately, I had no success obtaining info on an audio powerline. Being in Canada, I needed a powerline that had UL and CSA approval due to insurance purposes. Home Depot came to the rescue. I ended with a Carol 12/3 CSA and UL approved electrical line (2x 22ft run), two 20amp Square D breaker (1 for each line), 1 flat ground plate and a 6-gauge ground line (20ft unshielded run from circuit breaker box to ground plate buried 24inches deep), both ground from dedicated lines were connected to the ground plate. In addition, I used 2 wattagate outlets. Everything was brand new. After connecting my equipment to the dedicated lines I notice that there was a hum/buzz emitting through the speakers. It was not pronounced when music was being played but very noticeable when the equipment was at idle. I cross checked by turning off my input source and putting the volume at maximum setting; sure enough the hum was louder. Next I set my pre-amp to mute, there was no hum. Other connection scenarios yielded similar results; through powerline conditioner or direct from my powersnakes to the outlets. Just to ensure it was not my equipment (never had this problem so far, I use tubes and I think they are in fairly good shape) my final check was to plug everything to the generic lines/outlets (shared power outlets WITHOUT ground connection). The hum DISAPPEARED! My second issue is when a florescent lamp connected to a common line/outlet is turned on and my system is affected with a loud click from the speakers. It's louder turning it on then off. I test with a normal light bulb lamp and there were no interferences. I thought at a dedicated line being isolated will not be affected by other outlets. With this hum, presumably ground feedback, I can't tell if the background noise was eliminated. What am I doing incorrectly? Appreciate any help and advice you may have to get rid of the problem. Many thanks.

Hi, My own experience: I first installed a 12 gauge dedicated ground, going to an 8' copper-plated brass rod or post driven all the way into the ground, complementing a dedicated line from the main breaker panel. (Of course its ground own was removed when the dedicated one went in.) I heard an improvement, but not major. Then I changed to a 10 gauge ground wire, all else the same, and DID hear a major improvement. I almost wish I'd gone all the way to 8 gauge. Please consult stnemo@starpower.net on this, though. He was the one who told me to use at least 10 gauge. He's the Stealth cable designer/manufacturer, and could supply a great power cord if that's what's called for. affordable too. But he could also tell you whether it's necessary. His power cords made a big difference in my system, BTW. But then so did his interconnects, digital cables and speaker cables. Along with the dedicated grounding, you might want to give them a 30-day money-back guarantee try.