Dedicated power and outlets


I'm having a room addition built and will house my audio gear there. I was thinking of dedicating a circuit to just my equipment which consists of amp, pre amp, cd player, and laptop I use to play lossless digital files- my main source.

Will also set-up a home theater separately, but not really concerned about it cause I don't watch many movies or TV other than sports.

Mainly want to insure optimum sound quality at a reasonable price.

What should I use in terms of outlet(s), cabling from circuit box(which is about 3 feet away from where I will hook-up) or whatever else would seem appropriate? I'm not looking for super high end, just something that would make sense since the situation presents itself to "do it right".

Thanks for any input.
jamesk58

Showing 3 responses by rushton

To add yet another voice to this...

I'd follow Mrjstark's recommendation to run 2-3 separate 20 amp lines, not just one.

Use 10ga or 12ga romex type cable (your distance is short enough not to worry with 10ga, so the 12ga would probably be fine; don't use 14ga). (If you use an armored cable or metal conduit for some reason, prepare for some additional steps...)

Run each line as a separate home run of cable from the circuit panel to the outlet, no intermediate boxes, connections or splices. Connect to only a single outlet at the end of run of cable, don't gang two receptacles at the end of a line.

Order some "PorterPort" outlets from Albert Porter here on Audiogon. They are the most cost effective outlet alternative that will give excellent sonic results.

Connect all of your lines on the same phase of your incoming power at the service panel if you have the available slots to do so.

Keep your amp and preamp on circuit(s) separate from your digital gear.

If you use a contact enhancer for other connections in your system (such as Walker Audio SST), ask your electrician to use it on the electrical power connections for your audio system, too.

Good luck. Hope you enjoy your new room!
Thanks, Mrjstark. I agree one should be very careful and follow the directions in applicaton: less is always the correct amount to apply, more is not better. I have for years used SST on every connection in my system, including tube pins and power cord connections, and my electrician has applied it in making the electrical service panel connections. Lloyd Walker uses SST the same way in his system, as do many of my audio friends. Nevertheless, this is clearly a "Use at your own risk" application and good of you to raise caution when going beyond interconnects and speaker cables.
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Mrjstark, I certainly do understand and appreciate your reaction. A good caution. For the careful and prudent user, it presents an opportunity to make material improvements in the sound of one's system. Just be careful.
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