20 Amp Dedicated line: 10 gauge vs 12 gauge wire


Is there any issue running a 10 gauge wire in a 20 amp dedicated line vs. a 12 gauge wire.
It seems that a 10 gauge wire would heat up less.
Thoughts/comments?
Thanks.

B.
mr_lewis
Mr_Lewis, most of us running dedicated circuits have installed two or more. For example, in my minimalist two-channel system, I run three dedicated circuits: a separate 20 amp circuit for each of my Atma-Sphere MA-2 220w monoblocks, and a third circuit for the preamp and turntable. A fourth circuit is available for the occasional digital device.

The C-J Premier 12 amps would be happy to have their own circuit, as would the LP275M amps. Putting them all on the same circuit is, imo, a mistake.

It may also be beneficial to have the TV and digital equipment on a circuit separate from your preamps and from your power amps. Doing so may help reduce noise over the A/C lines feeding into other equipment.

Looks to me like you are a candidate for at least three dedicated circuits coming into your room. After installing the dedicated circuit(s), I encourage you to do some critical listening without the power conditioner. You may be surprised to find an improvement from taking it out of the chain, particularly with the amps.
.
Looks to me like you are a candidate for at least three dedicated circuits coming into your room. After installing the dedicated circuit(s), I encourage you to do some critical listening without the power conditioner. You may be surprised to find an improvement from taking it out of the chain, particularly with the amps.

I agree with Rushton, add additional dedicated lines and try removing that power conditioner. If your results are like mine, you'll wind up selling the conditioner for enough to pay the electrician.

My system has fourteen dedicated lines if you count the 240 volt Euro runs. Considering other equipment costs this is the cheapest and safest tweak you can do.

I say that having come from original wiring and upgrading to 2 dedicated lines. Later I added 2 more, making 4 dedicated. The last time I upgraded to 14 dedicated lines. Each time there was an improvement.
Keep in mind, though, that if the interconnects between components that are connected to separate dedicated lines are single-ended (unbalanced), there is the risk that voltage differentials between the grounds of those separate dedicated lines will couple noise or hum into the system via the shields of those interconnects:

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/an/an004.pdf

Regards,
-- Al
A good practice in installing the dedicated circuits is to keep all the runs of the same length to deal with the potential Almarg mentions.
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Even with the same length for all runs, the voltage drops will be different for each circuit. This is because power amp draws more current and it would see a slightly lower voltage.