pg62 put all your source equipment on one line via one outlet strip and put your amp on the other. Float the ground to your amps using cheaters.
Let's see how that works.
Let's see how that works.
New dedicated lines have high noise floor.
I just installed two dedicated lines for my system. Each is on its own 20a circuit breaker. I used 10 gauge hospital grade MC cable (exact same length) and Cardas 4181 duplex outlets. I was expecting a quieter noise floor and better sound. I have a 3x to 4x increase in the noise floor compared with a regular outlet nearby. One of the circuits has a "crackling" sound. For the best results, I need to put my amp and source equipment on a single outlet. If I use both the sound gets worse. Any ideas? I need to have my electricians come back, but would like to have some audiophile wisdom for support.
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@ pg62 Why did you use hospital grade MC cable? For audio 10-2 with ground would have been better. Problem with hospital grade MC cable there are 4 wires. one Hot, one neutral, and two equipment grounding conductors. The geometry of the way the 2 equipment grounding conductors are installed in relationship to the current carrying hot and neutral conductor makes it more possible that a voltage is induced onto the equipment grounding conductors. Did the electrician terminate both circuits on circuit breakers on the same Line, leg, in the electrical panel? Both on Line 1 or both on Line 2? One of the circuits has a "crackling" sound.That sounds like a loose connection. Could be a faulty circuit breaker, or a poor connection between the breaker to the connecting bus tie in the electrical panel.What type/manufacturer panel is it? . |
You should not have "a crackling sound" coming from your AC line and if you do, it suggests something faulty in the installation, such as a loose connection. I’d have your electrician check all of his work. Did you take out a construction permit for this work? In many municipalities in the U.S. such a permit would be required. If so, your code inspector may be helpful in identifying the issue. |
The crackling is a real issue. Please have it checked, you may have arcing somewhere. The other issue, is one I have warned about before. Having too good of a connection to the panel means you may get closer to any noise from outside. A better solution may be to run 240 to your room, and then use a step down balanced transformer, like from Equitech, to feed your gear. This is fairly cheap to do, as you've already run the wiring. Just need a new, dual pole breaker and appropriate outlet. |
Before you call your electriticians, there is something for you to try. Turn off every other breaker in the home. If the noise persists, it's on the line, or from the outside. If it all goes away, it's coming from elsewhere in the home. If your breaker box is old, you may also want to ask about arc detecting breakers. Best, E |
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