2. home-theater
  3. 167737-139155

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
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,994 posts
 
Searching around on this topic, I see it's a time-worn debate. Lots of advice out there. My usual M.O. on things like this is that if I cannot see which side of a debate is right and it's possible to get extra running room without spending a premium, I do it. 

In the case of this project, we're talking about a panel on the same unfinished wall as the location of the duplexes -- 12-15ft from panel to duplexes, straight shot. If it seems that even with this most simple situation that extra lines or higher amps is a lot more money, I'll economize.
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nickaboy1
24 posts
 
I have a 20a Furman elite that gets 1 dedicated 20A outlet and thats used for everything tv/avr/dvd,DAC,cable,accessories , then I have another 20A just for my dual PB16 subs, then I have another 20A dedicated outlet for my 4- Buttkicker transducers in my couch because im using a DJ amplifier and it uses allot of power and has tripped out my furman so I added one more outlet so I now have 3-20A for my theater and lighting is separate on a 15A , I got the orange hospital grade outlets and they seem to do the job just right. when I had 1 15a there was allot of sag and no way it could support , if your going to run 1 20a just go ahead and run a second while your at it and tell the electrician to do his job , they are all cut from the same cloth unless you find an audiophile electrician 
grillo451
2 posts
 
Guidance document on appropriate management of suspect/confirmed ... Care Centre must necessarily be mapped to one or more Dedicated.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,994 posts
 
@nickaboy1 Thanks for your reply.
@grillo451 Not quite following your reply. Too much like code.
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