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Dedicated line: 10 gauge solid core or 8 gauge stranded

Hi everyone,

I'm having a dedicated line installed for my system. I read recommendations to run a 10 gauge wire, but I thought, why not 8 gauge? It's my understanding that there are no receptacles that would accept the thickness of a 8 gauge wire, so my question is: is it best to run a 8 gauge wire all the way to the receptacle and then bring it down to 10 gauge with a junction box to connect to the receptacle, or, just run a 10 gauge wire from panel to receptacle??
Also, the 10 gauge wire the electrician showed me was solid (just 1 thick wire), while the 8 gauge wire was stranded. Does that make a difference for sound? Which gauge would you go with?? 

Thanks!

Pierre
galpi
au_lait
347 posts
 
You can run 10awg on a 20amp breaker doesn’t have to be 30amp. 
rickd1235
7 posts
 
My son is an electrical contractor. He installed 2 x 10 gauge solid lines with 20 amp breakers for my Home theater. 12 gauge is minimum 20 amps.
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,890 posts
 
@ jrwaudio, Any 20 amp or 30 amp electrical outlet will connect to, 10awg wire. The point of all that (mojo) is you can not "tax"the circuit out. Now all your audio gear gets all the power it needs. And the cost is very low ..Hope that helps...
galpi OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. I'm planning to install just 1 receptable for the entire system connected to a Nordost power strip. Turntable, phono preamp, preamp, 2x140W monoblocks, 2x800W subs, nothing too crazy. I know folks sometimes have multiple lines installed to split the amps from lower powered components, but I'm trying to avoid ground loops.  Sounds like I'll be just fine with 10 gauge, twisted.   
au_lait
347 posts
 
@galpi i did basically the same. 10 gauge line (cryo’d Romex) to a quad receptacle, synergistic line filter box for for front end and direct from wall for monoblocks. No noise no complaints. Yet.
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