AC POWER DISTRIBUTOR/POWER CABLE VERSUS DEDICATED


Hello.
Here is the question: do I spend my hard earned money on power distributor/power cable($600) of do I get the electrician to install a 30 amps dedicated circuit ($400)for my system?
Thoughts?
Thank you.
rockanroller
Rockanroller,
you're in a position now where you can decide to install audiophile grade wall receptacles or let the electrician use his standard AC outlets. This is a topic of controversy due to the fact that some believe that there is no audible difference. The high-end outlets use very pure metals and are hospital grade (providing a solid connection) as opposed to the brass plated outlets.

It's not an expensive upgrade.
Check the archives for names such as Porter Ports, PS Audio.
Those upgraded outlets also are engineered to grip your
plugs, much more securely(improved conduction). Important
benefit! If the audiophile grades are out of your price
range, at least spring for some good, 20 Amp(nema 5-20R),
Hospital or Industrial Grade duplexes, ie: from Hubbell.
Note: if you opt for Hospital Grade, avoid those that
mention being, "tamper resistant." They have
extra internal contact points(less contacts=good). Music
Direct sells the PS Audio Power Port, two for
$75.00 (http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7420-ps-audio-power-port-classic.aspx)
I agree with the suggestion to run 10 gauge wire but would recommend you run 3 wire with ground BX. In the future if you decide to do isolated ground or balanced power you are all set.
Just because you run 10 gauge wire does not mean you have to use a 30 amp breaker, a 20 amp is fine as the larger wire will minimize voltage drops.
In my last home I had an electrician install a 20 amp dedicated line, using 10 awg Romex. 10 awg Romex is tough to work with, but the electrician did it. Cost was about $200 and it was an excellent investment.

Now regarding hospital grade outlets, not really a fan.
Agree with the need to install 10/3 Romex even though it is harder for the electrician to work with. I bought Cerrowire NM-B 10/3 (147-1803CR) available at Home Depot for convenience; the 100 ft coil is most economical. Solid conductors and a 10gauge ground....I would have liked to go with 'SOTA' wire from one of the audio manufacturers but given length of the circuit needed from my sub-panel straight up to my 5 duplex outlets, the $35-60/foot (depending upon whose you buy) is extremely prohibitive in cost so I could not make that work. One year+ later, I cannot hear any grain or nasty side effects of using the Romex product in the system and have instead put the time and money into the power conditioners I utilize, the dual ground rods on the house, Environmental potentials gear in the main panel and sub-panel, etc...very happy with end results.

A word on 'hospital grade' commercially available outlets; you can do better (IMHO), look at Porter Ports, Avatar Acoustics Afterburner8s, Furutechs, Oyaides, etc...spend a bit more on your outlets; you will be very happy you did!