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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
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 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
4,136 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. 
invalid
1,186 posts
 
I have tried one dedicated circuit for all my audio gear, but I've found that multiple dedicated circuits works better. You might get away with one dedicated circuit if your amp doesn't have much power.
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,617 posts
 
@hilde45  I have no advice but will share my experience. I have one dedicated 20amp line that was installed as soon we purchased the house.When I decided to move the system to the opposite side of the room on a  20amp circuit that is shared,I heard zero difference.I was quite surprised as I had planned to get down in the basement and move that wire and redo the other circuit. I never bothered.I'm out in the boonies too with pretty clean power (I think).The shared circuit has nothing noisy on it, only a couple of lights and several outlets. I use a surge protector/conditioner that separates digital and analog.
invalid
1,186 posts
 
When I had one dedicated circuit I didn't have enough power. I have a big krell amp and a pair of apogee duetta 2 speakers that are only 80 db sensitivity, but they sound great. It also helps if you run your dedicated circuits at the top of the service panel closest to the main feeder lines.
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