Isolation Transformers

Bob, yes they're all tied together at the panel, but a dedicated line means there is nothing else on that circuit but your audio, so there's no other equipment on that line between your audio gear and the power pole (except for that circuit's breaker and the main electrical cut-off switch) and so nothing (in your house at least) to introduce noise into, or reduce current in, the line used by your audio.

Clio, one thing that you could do to get the most out of your non-dedicated circuit is (first cut the power at the breaker) and rewire all the outlets on that circuit, making sure you use the screw terminals (not the push connections) and making sure all the wire and teminals are clean (you can use Caig De-Oxit) Generally, the electricians daisy-chain the outlets, so if your audio system isn't using the first outlet after the circuit breaker, then there are a lot of connections between it and the panel.

Nsgarch - no can do since I rent and the system is not using the first outlet after the breaker. In essence I'm probably back to looking at balanced power and power regeneration options. I was hoping to save a few bucks but it doesn't appear I can.

Bob, I'm sorry, i was responding to your question about dedicated circuits. As for equipment with built-in filters (and even built-in surge protection) I'm afraid the answer is a qualified "no". And here's the reason: If it's to be done in a way that doesn't degrade sonics (like happens with cheap, separate, surge protector and/or noise filter units) it's going to cost the manufacturer a lot -- in some cases more than the component itself if the component is in the $1000 - $2000 range. Sure, stuff like a Mark Levinson 33 or 33H amp has its own built-in non-sonically-invasive regenerator power supply but those pieces are so expensive to start with that the additional cost represents (I would guess) only 10% of their purchase price, so it kind of makes sense for them to build it in and do it the way they think it should be done, and not require their customers to have to make those additional decisions/purchases.

For less expensive equipment, what the manufacturer could provide within their pricing target really would do more harm than good. So it makes more sense for the customer to buy a $2000 regenerator/conditioner/balanced power unit which can then supply really properly produced power to a number of components.

Hope that throws some light on the subject.

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