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Dedicated Line - Things to consider

Hey all,

So…as far as building my system is concerned, I’m pretty much in a good spot for now with the components and cables. I can say I’m satisfied with the sound. But, as we all know, system building isn’t an action that can ever be completed, it’s a state we’re constantly in.

Right now I have few finishing touches left. 
1. Run a dedicated line 
2. Improve room acoustics

Wanted to solicit some thoughts on running a dedicated line. 
First of all, is it a worthy addition? What are the deciding factors? I realize all the appliances in the house 💩 into the power line, and I use a power conditioner for the source components. Amp is plugged directly into the wall. 
Here’s what I have in mind if I’m to go ahead and run a dedicated line - 14 awg solid copper wiring - any particular brand? 20A or 15A circuit? Is it worth running one for the amp and one for source components? Or is using one duplex outlet on a dedicated line sufficient to cover amp and source components? 

Would appreciate any thoughts based on experience and lessons learned…what would you do differently if you were to do it again? What improvements should I be expecting?

 

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

128x128audphile1
audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
5,333 posts
 

Thanks @carlsbad for the wire gauge recommendation. 
 

@immatthewj I searched and read a lot of the posts but didn’t see anything comprehensive posted recently. 

@whart  I am planning to use a commercial electrician who had done some work in the house already. Thanks for a detailed write up. I’ll probably end up putting a sub panel. Interesting about crap still present in the line that’s introduced by appliances despite the dedicated line. Thought that’s what we’re mitigating by running a dedicated line.

Distance from panel to the outlet that powers the system is probably over 60ft or so considering walls, bends, etc

So what I gather so far…

10 or 12 gauge wire. Copper bus bar panel/sub panel. Whole house surge protector (definitely a possibility). Multiple lines - I figure 1 for the amp, one for non-digital sources, one for digital. 
Any particular brands for wire, panel/sub panel, surge protector?

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
5,333 posts
 

Oh and I am using good outlet now that I like so I’ll just get few additional ones depending on how many lines I end up running. 

tomcarr
1,536 posts
 

I have a dedicated line to a treated listening room. By far the biggest improvement was acoustic treatment of the  ceiling and all four walls. The dedicated line was a modest improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. 

The other big improvement was selling the amp that was always affected by other electrical appliances (dishwasher, dryer, outdoor Christmas lights), and getting one that isn't affected at all.

 

tomcarr
1,536 posts
 

It wasn't the lights per se, it was the TIMER they were plugged into.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,899 posts
 

@audphile1,

For dedicated audio lines I would go with Type MC Galvanized Steel Metal Clad Cable 10 AWG. It has better EMI shielding versus aluminum armor. Also, If your run is 60 feet 10 AWG is fine, no need for a sub panel. FWIW, I have four dedicated lines in my audio system. 😎

Here is a good article on the subject. See below:

Mike

 

 

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