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,

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

 

 

@audphile1

As far as whole house surge protection, I would look at installing Environmental Potentials EP-2050 or 2050EE Surge and AC Waveform Correction & EP-2750 Ground Filter in sub or main panel feeding your audio room.

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

@audphile1 , I scrolled through my own replies to threads and starting in late October is when I began paying attention to the dedicated circuit threads.  I was going to go through and paste the links to all the 'dedicated' threads I have been reading, but for some reason, whenever I try to paste more than one link to a thread on this site, things get all screwy on me.  I don't know if it's the site, my ancient computer, or just me, but anyway, here is a thread I found from late October.

 

I'll go through and paste a couple of more that I found to be interesting/informative, but if you were to go to the amps/preamps forum & the misc audio forum and just start scrolling down several pages, you willrun into several threads on the topic.