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Dedicated lines- need break in?

Surely a, stupid question of the day!
Finally had 2X 20 amp dedicated lines installed with Oyaide outlets with isolated grounds. Hooked up sources and preamp to the lines to start with......, and sound is much clearer and as a result slightly on thinner side (in comparison, although still anything but analytical). I know it is not Oyaide outlets because I had them connected on regular lines and they sounded warmer. (I have electrician coming back today to try out different phase than the refrigerator, ac, microwave etc. to check if the current in phase circuit breaker is not causing the change in sound)

So the question is, in your experience, the new 20 amp lines need to be broken in? How long does it need to be? or what could be the cause?

Thanks,

Nil
nilthepill
shellie
110 posts
 
Nilthepill,
Give that new line more then just one more week- give it a month and you'll be surprised how much different it will sound from today (still it may not be your cup of tea). As a side, you'd be surprised just how strong a signature that expensive duplex is having on the overall sound of your system. Try searching this site for a comprehensive review of duplexes (I cannot remember it's author but it turned me onto the power of AC duplexes).

Happy new year!
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Make sure you install audio grade faceplates on the duplexes or the dedicated lines will be a waste of time and money.

Happy new hear.
jea48
4,707 posts
 
Nilthepill,

Glad to hear the electrician terminated the safety equipment grounding conductors in the same panel the branch circuits are fed from.

As for the sound you are now hearing, if I understand you correctly, you were not using the R1 recepts on the old existing 15 amp circuit. Is that correct?
>>>>>>>>

Food for thought.... even plain old NM-B cable, (romex is an example of NM-B cable), has a dielectric of thermoplastic (PVC) insulation covered with a nylon jacket.
http://www.soundstage.com/yfiles/yfiles200005.htm
shellie
110 posts
 
Audiofeil,
Why do you allways have to be such a Richard?
nilthepill OP
842 posts
 
Bill, I did install the 'audio grade' face plates along with duplexes.
I am sure your comment is tongue in cheek as usual. I happen to buy two duplexes and the audio grade housing and the 'composite' face plate about a year and half ago when I really wanted to install the dedicated lines during my house remodeling, but somehow project schedule and budget made this one of the last priority, so I had this Oyaide stuff laying around.... The housing, plate and duplexes sure do look great though. The Al mounting plate, black composite face plate and burgundy duplexes goes well with Ralph Lauren Silver Metallic paint ;-)

Shellie, I got two 50 ft extension cords and hooked up fan/heaters with both intending to run 24/7 (well, almost) , heaters/fans in my garage. So may be I will be able to go a little longer than a week, may be later hook up my TV or something for a while on this 20 amp lines to let it keep breaking in. Meanwhile I will continue to listen to my old 15 amp lines.

Jea48, I did connect one pair to regular 15 amp line (prior to the new 2x20 amp dedicated lines install) for a day or two- just to power source and preamp, not amp. Sound was virtually unchanged, if a tad bit warmer. BTW, Thanks for the link on the cable break-in phenomena. The opinions and experiments by some the big cable cos were interesting and informative read. The mechanism described there in makes a lot of sense. I did not know Sarajan used to write reviews for Soundstage.

Why would a dedicated line-15 or 20 amp- sound (significantly) better than regular shared lines? The usual reason given: 'noises' bled thru from other equipment on same lines/circuits corrupts audio signal. What freq spectrum this corruption impact? Low, mid, high or all across the band?
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