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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
 
Thank you guys. 
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
I didn’t consider ground loops, so I will interconnect both ground bars on the entrance or I will keep one single ground bar for all circuits, new and old.
Terminology: Ground ROD is in the earth and connects to the Panel Neutral BAR which connects to Transformer Neutral.

There’s more to ground rods than just sticking a piece of copper in the ground.

Adding two rods could reduce their efficacy in the event of a lightning strike, their primary purpose.

If materials differ, you could set up a galvanic cell which would eat one away. Ditto if perchance soil & moisture conditions differ dramatically at the two locations. Unlikely in a home installation but not outside the realm of possibility.

The 3rd pin is a secondary SAFETY path to return fault current to the transformer neutral to ensure enough current flows to trip the breaker. If you don’t return the 3rd pin to the transformer neutral YOUR SYSTEM IS LETHAL!
plga OP
184 posts
 
Hello guys
I've just installed the AC dedicated line.

Its just three 10 to 12 AWG wires (hot, neutral and ground) for my system, not the subs.

I havent included the subs (Boston Acoustics M Subs) because they dont have ground on their plugg (as many other subs, like SVS SB2000 for instance) so I figure out I shouldnt have ground loops or hum and I was right. On the other hand, latter on, if I decide to connect them to the line, I can do it. But today its somehow simpler this way.

The results are better sound on EVERY aspect: smoother highs, better detail, improved layering and 3D soundstage, stronger and better defined bass, etc.

I think its one of the best upgrades per dollar out there, period. 

Thank you all for your suggestions! 
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Congratulations, @plga.  Enjoy!

Regards,
-- Al
 
plga OP
184 posts
 
Thank you Al. 




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