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Dedicated power to audio system—how extreme to go?

Inspired by this post on the What's Best forum, I got to thinking about a truly dedicated circuit feeding the outlet where my audio stuff is plugged in. We're going to do some other work that will require a new subpanel and other electrical improvements, so this might be a good occasion to make some improvements. Right now my system feeds off the upstairs subpanel that doesn't have any big appliances on it.

 I've jiggered things around in various ways so that there's nothing else on the #12 AWG circuit feeding the audio system, although there are intermediate outlets between the breaker box and the system. The breaker has a GFI (ground-fault interrupter), and I've read that even these can have a negative sound quality impact. In the linked post people refer to "audiophile" circuit breakers, but I didn't find any for the US market. The room lighting is on a separate circuit. The house was completed in 2005 so everything is pretty modern up-to-code, but I don't know where the utility company's transformer serving us is located.

The post says you should use wire with a 4-mm cross-sectional area for 120-volt service, and according to this calculator, that translates to #6 AWG wire, and of course you'd want to get the cryo-treated, if you can somehow coil it up to get in the cryo-fridge.

But seriously, if anyone has experience with a true breaker-box-to-outlet dedicated electrical service, I'd like to hear about it.

john_g
john_g OP
80 posts
 
Thanks, @millercarbon, for the helpful discussion.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
My pleasure.

pauly
1,012 posts
 
The systems that I have heard with battery power lose it when it comes to dynamics. Especially amps.

Nice thought though, but the technology is not there... yet.


Depends on the amps, depends on the batteries. I have found the opposite - a noticeable increase in dynamics on batteries.

But my amps are 3.5WPC SET amps which consume < 60w each running class A. Each has its own 1500w/h battery and inverter that can cope with 1600w peaks.The tech is there but it’s not going to help you if you skimp.

One should never say never, but I doubt I’ll ever plug in again.





stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,251 posts
 
I have 2 dedicated 20 amp circuits for my audio system.  One is for the amp and pre, and the other for everything else.  The electrician ran 12 two wire from my panel to the outlets, and I do not get any noise at all.  I used  2 Shunyata AC Receptacles, one for each circuit. Each circuit has a Shunyata Hydra connected to the outlet and the equipment is plugged into them.  I also use all Shunyata power cords in my system.   I have zero noise.  The power transformer is on the pole opposite to my house so I have pretty good AC coming in.  
mitch2
3,684 posts
 
Good advice from MC to go with dedicated wire run for your Audio system.  Without spending big money, the dedicated line(s) should get you most of the way there, IMO.  Run the line(s) from the panel closest to your system, either main or sub panel, and size up to 10 awg for 20A.  Anything larger is impractical for connections.  There are varying opinions on whether to use one line or multiple lines - I use one 20A line for front-end gear and one for each monoblock, all run from the same side of the panel and have no issues with noise or dynamics.
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