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Dedicated lines — how many? Other advice?

We're redoing our basement and adding an additional panel. This room will become a media room. I may be video and audio at different ends of the room if possible. Not sure.

To be powered:

Video

1. TV
2. AVR

Audio:

1. R & L Monoblock tube amps
2. Preamp
3. DAC
4. CD transport
5. Streamer
6. 3 Subwoofers

QUESTIONS:

(a) Does everything on the list need a dedicated line? Could all benefit? (Including the TV and AVR). Or can I skip the video stuff.

(b) How many dedicated lines for the audio alone? How would you group components on each line?

(c) Any other advice?

Here is the advice I've gathered so far (some from the web, some from A'gon):

  • Get a whole house surge suppressor put in.
  • Use the heaviest gauge copper Romex you can use, never less than 12 gauge and typically 10 gauge (the lower the gauge number the thicker the wire conductors).
  • Use a 20 amp breaker for even the lowest draw source equipment feed.
  • Make sure the power lines are balanced on each side of the power panel.
  • Don't let them staple the wire to the 2x4's inside the walls….Work out some other solution that neither uses ferrous metal fasteners nor pinches the wiring when secured to the framing. The physical pinching can lead to a somewhat narrower audio bandwidth…
128x128hilde45
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,176 posts
 
Glad to help , happy 4th to all 🇺🇸 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,176 posts
 
A seperate dedicated line for with a good line conditioner would’ve optimal Audioquest ,has the  model 12000 , 2000, or2500
and 5000 , like myself the bigger wire the better awg 10 is what I used , 20 amp breakers , and 4 wire Not Two, using a dual ground , one common ,the other a insulated isolated ground ,noticeably 
lower noise fooor and for sure and pure silver Circuit breakers or silverplated over copper .much better then stock ,and won’t oxydize like copper, and Copper gold AC outlets pangea 
not expensive $50 each have at least 3-4 outlets installed you 
will use them ,and cap the openings if not using to prevent dust
Getting inside, if you budget can handle a higher priced line
conditioner buy it ,it has better technologies. Also for equipment 
protection Siemens make a nice  surge suppression that installs at
the breaker box.  it’s less then $200 Everything counts.
2 seperate 4 wire dedicated lines better then 1 . Copper wire only 
and all your power cords should have -0 Brass which most cheapest ones have 3 x less conductivity-more resistance = noise
i build some of my own powercords ,and use Furutech  about $120 per per mid grade, VH audio is very good for assistance , email Chris he builds them too if you want quality  ,less $$ then commercial brands , triode wire audio cables are very good value- quality.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
Thanks, @audioman58 

Another vote for multiple dedicated lines, and all the other details are being noted!
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,829 posts
 
A follow-up on my early 1-line comment. I tried 2 x 8 gauge lines. One for power amps and ESL power and one for turntable and phono preamp. It sounded fine but not much of an improvement over the existing 14gauge 15amp shared line. There was also a little hum. I killed a breaker and wired everything into one line. Immediate clarity and blackness. 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,176 posts
 
4 wire dedicated for sure improvement my friend is a Audiophile 
and top electrician one common ground , 2nd ground insulated isolated ground ,and for-sure Dedicated  20 amp line minimum awg 12. It’s well documented ,if someone wants to not do anything that’s fine. 
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