High quality in-wall UL-C2 rated 10-gauge A/C wiring ?

The Audience wire is interesting, but I would actually just use cryo'd 10awg Romex myself.  VH Audio sells cryo'd 10-2 Romex for 2.99/foot, or $469 for a 250 foot roll.  The Romex will meet code for running inside walls and through attic areas.  Other wire may or may not (and might have to be run in conduit).  Some people have said they get better results with 8awg THHN, but that is going to be stranded and also needs to be run completely in a conduit.  The Romes is solid core, which is better in my opinion (even if it doesn't quite have the current cabability of 8 awg).

Under the electrical code https://www.usawire-cable.com/pdf/nec-ampacities.pdf 14ga wire is good for 20A, 8 for 40A. Continuous.

Other than large Class A amplifiers, 4  nines of HiFi systems don't ever come anywhere near even 20A. With a linear supply, that's ≈1400W.

https://www.usawire-cable.com/pdf/nec-ampacities.pdf


** Unless specifically permitted in Section 240.4(E) through (G), the overcurrent protection shall not exceed 15 amperes for 14 AWG, 20 amperes for 12 AWG, and 30 amperes for 10 AWG copper; or 15 amperes for 12 AWG and 25 amperes for 10 AWG aluminum after any correction factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied.

Just one example why the NEC should never be used as a design specification or an instruction manual. The NEC is bare minimum electrical safety standards.

NEC 90.1:

National Electrical Code 90.1 Purpose:

(A) Practical Safeguarding. The purpose of this Code is the practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity.

B) Adequacy. This Code contains provisions considered necessary for safety. Compliance therewith and proper maintenance results in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion of electrical use.

FPN: Hazards often occur because of overloading of wiring systems by methods or usage not in conformity with this Code. This occurs because initial wiring did not provide for increases in the use of electricity. An initial adequate installation and reasonable provisions for system changes provide for increase in the use of electricity.

FPN, Fine Print Notes. Suggestions, not mandatory.



Continuous..... Average..... Doesn’t account for dynamic peaks, spurts, of current draw from an amplifier when amplifying a high dynamic signal. Amplifier power supplies like, need, a steady AC mains Line voltage.

Nelson Pass https://www.passlabs.com/press/power-supplies-commentary-consumers


Post by Ralph - Manufacturer, Atma-Sphere Music Systems
https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/17/174988.html

The subject matter is for a power cord. The same would hold true for branch circuit wiring. Even more so for a convenience outlet branch circuit where other loads are connected to the same circuit as an audio system.
Jim
.

@jea48 
The breaker limits the current below the wire ampacity. A 15A circuit has 5A current reserve capacity in the wire according to the NEC.

From Pass:

Typically, a Class AB stereo amplifier rated at 200 watts per channel continuously should be capable of delivering 700 watts or so, and this means a transformer rating of about 2000 watts. Anything less means non-continuous operation. This might be alright for a class AB amplifier where maximum continuous operation is not required.

Confirms that most systems do not require 20A. Any humongo transient that occurs when the 120v line is 0v is going to suck down the caps regardless of the transformer size. The supply capacitors need to be of sufficient capacity and low ESR to handle the transients supplying the required current without falling below the required voltage.

Toroids are somewhat fan-boy sales bait. They are not a free lunch.
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/maxdb/maxdb071998.htm

I'd read Ralph's post and agree with him.