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Please advise re dedicated circuit

Considering doing this. I mean, having an electrician or myself install a new circuit with one or two outlets for the audio system. When I finished my basement last year I did all my own wiring after consulting with a helpful chap at Home Depot so I could maybe handle it myself.

First, is it always an improvement? Some of the threads here talk about it being less than desirable if using stock PCs, which I will be doing only for my CD source - a Sony C555ES which I like very much for its changer capability and the sound is pretty good too. I might consider switching out the captive cord and getting a plug installed but I'd rather not risk the warranty loss - 5 years with ES products.

Anyway, should I use 10 gauge? And, if getting an electrician to do the job, what kind of cost should I expect? I know, it depends, but looking for a *range* here... about 70 feet or less of pretty much straight run, suspended ceiling to work through, so it should not be too complicated.

Would like to hear your experiences!
kck
marty9876
120 posts
 
Always an improvement, no idea. I would bet heavily you would notice some improvement, really depends on how bad things were before. If the power is total poop, then the improvement would be greater.

I used 10g with a 20amp breaker. Some of the really big amps say they need this. Why not, bigger is always better right? 10g is harder to work with(thicker/stiffer) than 12g.

Cost-no clue. Less than $500 I assume. I did mine. Just put two in while your at it. Use new breakers and hospital grade outlets or better, isolated grounded outlets.

If you wired your own basement, that was much harder than this. The only hard part is actually feeding the cable from point A to point B. Just keep things really simple, run directly from the circuit breaker to the outlet. I used 10-3 and grounded the outside of the junction box(thing you mount the outlet in) also.

Good luck,
Marty
kck OP
184 posts
 
Thanks, I might try it. May hit a snag with the baseboard, though. Went under and looked for the existing outlet, could not see the wires leading to it, which means they are above the subfloor (of course they are!) I was actually thinking of replacing this outlet but now I think maybe a brand new one is the way to go, may be simpler.
Question: if doing two, is it a compromise to splice the second off the first? Yes I know the argument is for dedicated, but I would still be using only two boxes, both only for audio (and maybe video). Actually, with just the CDP and integrated amp to worry about on the audio side, maybe I just need one... but good to have two in case...
marty9876
120 posts
 
Compromise-not much I think. I installed one, then added another at a later date. I have a monster 7 channel amp and the books strongly recommends a dedicated 20 just for itself(I think they are blowing smoke).

The main reasons if to separate analog front digital. I don't think your into analog. Also I like to keep subs on a different line since they tend to be "noisy".

Also the whole point really is to reduce the number of connections. If you do run two outlets from one line, have the first outlet by your main gear.

Marty
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
There are a lot of threads talking about dedicated circuits/10 gauge/12 gauge/15 amp/ 20 amp.

There seems to be a consensus for running 10 gauge to a 20 amp dedicated circuit. The more, the better.
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