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AC Dedicated Line

Hello guys
I will run three (3) dedicated AC power lines: one for my stereo system (power amp, preamp, DAC, etc) and two for my stereo subwoofers (one line for each one).

These three circuits will be connected directly to the main AC board of the Electrical Comany wich provides me the service right at my door.

They will all share the same ground cable, wich I will connect to a dedicated ground bar, but I would like your opinion about sharing the "same neutral line" on these circuits. Could it affect the sound quality? 

If I have to send three different neutral cables, one for each circuit, I will need more cable to run through the house and it will be more expensive and complicated.

Please I would appreciate responses with real experiences. I don't want to start a technical discussion. I know at the end, in the main board, they all will share the same neutral line, so electrically it should be the same, but in this crazy audio world who knows for sure if soundwise it will be the same....

PS: by the way, I will run 4 or 6 mm2 cables (I guess about 11 to 9 AWG on the US scale). Here in Argentina we measure cables by square millimitres.
plga
plga OP
184 posts
 
Im sorry Rbstehno, I didnt see your post as we wrote it at the same time. 

I just measured last week my system and the subs consumption and, even at loud volume, more than what I hear normally, my system didnt consumed more than 1 amp and neither did the subs.

At first I thought the meter was wrong, but then I remembered that the DC Blocker had also a meter and I saw it measured very similar to the external meter.

I think the low consumption must be because my power amp is class D, the same as the subs, and of course the preamp and the DAC dont consume much. 

So, in my case, 10 Amps should be more than enough. Nevertheless, if I decide to run just one circuit, I will go with a 10 AWG wire and a 32 amp breaker. 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,963 posts
 
Ignoring science, just instinct,

I keep my amp and preamp on one dedicated circuit, and all the source equipment powered from any household outlet on any circuit without equipment that surges on/off like refrigerators, fans, compressors ...


three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I’ve often wondered why so many folks think they need a 20A circuit for their 2-channel audio systems. I have a 120W Class AB tube amp, tube preamp, tube phono pre, streamer/DAC, and TT. I’ve measured my power and amp draw with everything running at once and it’s about 400watts and 3.8amps. What are all you guys running that requires a 20amp circuit? 15amps seems like plenty to me. is there some hidden advantage of 20amp that I’m unaware of? I’m no electrical guru so perhaps I’m missing something obvious.
cleeds
6,275 posts
 
three_easy_payments
I’ve often wondered why so many folks think they need a 20A circuit for their 2-channel audio systems.

It helps reduce voltage drop.

And there are other reasons to run multiple dedicated lines, such as keeping digital components on a different circuit from analog components. If you have high power amplifiers as I do, it’s nice to have each amp on its own circuit. That way, when big crescendos emerge, you know full current is still available to the rest of the system.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@cleeds 

It helps reduce voltage drop.

Thanks.  Again, no electrical prowess here.  What would I notice in terms of sound quality during a transient voltage drop caused (at least in part theoretically) by not having enough amperage headroom (i.e. 20A circuit).  Just curious if I could hear the issue when voltage drops, even just briefly.  I guess exploring the power side of audio could be the next rabbit hole for me to obsess over.  ha.
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