Those convenience outlets are typically daisy-chained to other outlets, often in different rooms. That's not the equal of a dedicated line that runs straight from the receptacle back to the service panel, especially when you're trying to keep all the grounds at the same potential.
Lets talk dedicated lines
About a year ago I installed a dedicated 20 amp line for my system...and went as far as modding the whole power structure from the street transformer to my panel to my house...at some fairly major expense. The result was certainly an improvement for my system.
Recently i got to thinking that a lot of us have a system that utilizes the standard 15amp line that more than likely only supplies one other component in our rooms...and that is the lights. While lights can be noisy on the system, particularly if they are halogens, then this is a source of considerable hash and noise. However, since the only other thing shared by this line are the lights...and not the more power hungry grabbing stuff..like the refrigerator, or the Ac etc, then simply playing the system in the dark should essentially allow for a dedicated line effect to materialize on the gear that is attached to this line as well. The standard room convenience outlet( which is what we are talking about here) is 15 amp breaker protected and is only supplying the lights and the convenience outlet in a room....so ( assuming that this is the case--and the lights are the only thing supplied besides the outlet) what is the real advantage to the 'true' dedicated line ? Twenty amps is more than a lot of auto gear needs, so I doubt that is the issue...thoughts?
Recently i got to thinking that a lot of us have a system that utilizes the standard 15amp line that more than likely only supplies one other component in our rooms...and that is the lights. While lights can be noisy on the system, particularly if they are halogens, then this is a source of considerable hash and noise. However, since the only other thing shared by this line are the lights...and not the more power hungry grabbing stuff..like the refrigerator, or the Ac etc, then simply playing the system in the dark should essentially allow for a dedicated line effect to materialize on the gear that is attached to this line as well. The standard room convenience outlet( which is what we are talking about here) is 15 amp breaker protected and is only supplying the lights and the convenience outlet in a room....so ( assuming that this is the case--and the lights are the only thing supplied besides the outlet) what is the real advantage to the 'true' dedicated line ? Twenty amps is more than a lot of auto gear needs, so I doubt that is the issue...thoughts?
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Pitcher got a hot arm. Batter up! My room started with the usual normal done to code daisy chain of outlets. This was replaced with a dedicated 120V line. This was upgraded to 4 ga 240V with stepdown transformer. This was upgraded with cryo. This was all DIY and done over time so I know what did what and by how much. Since then its all been made orders of magnitude better but unfortunately I am for now sworn to secrecy and so we will just talk about the stuff you are allowed to see. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 The biggest and most cost-effective benefit is using one dedicated line to eliminate the daisy-chain of outlet to outlet wiring that is done to code. The next worthwhile upgrade is going to 240V. But how worthwhile this is depends a lot on the length of run, how good quality step-down you get, and what it costs. Going to 240V costs nothing in terms of wire. You merely connect differently at the panel. The step-down though could be anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand. Anything more than a few hundred and I would say stop, forget about it, there’s better ways to spend your money. Way better. Like, you won’t believe. Word is we may have independent verification coming in a week or so. But for now you just have to take my word for it. |
@cleeds You bring up a good point...the typical convenience outlet is daisy chained to other outlets...some in different rooms. However, this is pretty easily checked, and in the instance that the daisy chain is only to one other outlet in the same room ( which is what it is in my case), then I wonder how much loss is accrued to that minimal chain. Perhaps, it might behove folks to check on the amount of additional outlets the connection is chained to...and as in my original example, if it is say to the lights as well as maybe one other convenience outlet, perhaps the need for a true dedicated line is reduced. As to keeping all the lines on the same potential, maybe a simple power strip with everything plugged into it will solve that problem? |
Every connection is a problem. The wires themselves are a problem. Much of the noise is RFI, radio frequency interference. Radio waves are everywhere. Every radio wave that crosses a wire induces a signal in that wire. That's how radio works! The tuner tunes for the frequency and then amplifies it. Without the tuner all you have is noise. The noise that is on all our wires. To see for yourself, simply go to your panel and flip the breakers off. This disconnects half the wires. Now go listen again. The remarkable improvement you are hearing is reduced RFI. You can confirm this by experimenting with different circuits, those with something running and those without. You will find even circuits with nothing plugged in and running are still bringing noise into the system, proving the process I just described. So my question to you is, do I deserve a raise, or what? |
Good observations Daveyf. I have lived in houses where I had dedicated lines and without, always used the same panamax conditioner surge protector and I have never noticed a difference. As long as you don’t have a lot of other things plugged into those outlets most systems will work fine. If you run mono 1.25 kw McIntosh amps or something you might need a dedicated line. Never had ground loops or noise problems. Unless you have a noise problem it’s not worth the expense as background noise is usually around 30db flipping breakers and other nonsense isn’t going to do anything you could hear except in your imagination. |
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