Dedicated 20 amp circuit - Electrician laughed!

 Hi Mitch

I suspect that 10 AWG is very adequate for your distance.  My panel is much farther to my outlet (50+) and since I was going to start from scratch I figured why not do it by the book.  I probably would not change a thing if I had a 10 AWG installed.  Having said that, I was frankly surprised by the improvement going from a clean 14 AWG (house is only 3 years old) to an 8. I didn't expect the highs to be improved so much.  I was under the impression that my bass was going to get all the benefits, but I was wrong.
For people starting from scratch, listen to Mr. Galbo's recommendation:

• 1 to 40 feet: 10 gauge wire
• 40 to 60 feet: 8 gauge wire
• Over 60 feet: 6 gauge wire
  

Unless you are clipping bass your power supply is more stable with some resistance not less. However, neutral to ground differential can induce noise in unexpected places as chassis and signal ground vary with load.

The best mechanics in the world are not necessarily the best drivers for Formula 1 or alike. Just saying.

I think that some of you guys buying into some of the crazy ideas here need to get a copy of the residential NEC. First: NEC does NOT allow separate earth grounds in any circuit that is connected to your primary service (the service that comes to your home, over head or underground, from your power co. to your main service box). Every ground in every circuit must be connected to the ground buss that is connected to the earth ground rod. Second: NEC requires 12AWG wire for a 20A circuit. It does not require 10AWG unless the run is over 50’ and 8AWG wire will not even properly fit in a 15 or 20 A receptacle. If your amp or any other device requires a 20A service, it is required to have a cord that is designed to plug into a 20A receptacle. If your amp has a 20A dedicated cord, or is required to have a 20A cord, it will only plug into a twenty amp receptacle which is required to be on a 20A circuit. If your amp or any other device comes with the standard 15A cord, then it is UL approved to and required by law to work properly on a standard 120V, 15A circuit
Not trying to be snide, but even audiophiles have rules....Jim

Definitely appreciate @spenav and the link to Mr. Galbo’s recommendations. I’ve always been wanting the 240V circuits, but everybody says that’s beyond extreme. But they do it other places, so why not in the U.S.?

@jea48 mentioned using Al wire instead of Cu, I would be interested to learn why.

Now, not to be a nattering nabob of negativity, but what are people doing about the NEC rule regarding tamper resistant receptacles unless the receptacle is higher than 5.5 feet? I understand the NEC thinking, but if you don’t have any 3-year-old kids in the house, it seems a bit beyond extreme to me. I believe even if you do the work yourself you’re supposed to get a permit, and an inspection, and I think non-tamper-resistant receptacles would be marked unacceptable.

I’m not an expert on the NEC, but I’ve done a fair bit of studying for installing my PV system. But it is my understanding that a 20-amp breaker gets a 20-amp receptacle, or 15-amp receptacle if it is the only one, no matter what gauge wire is used. I know oversizing wire is allowed, as I did this on the PV system, but you also have to oversize the ground too, from what I remember.