Dedicated power,long power cords - waste of time?

I don't understand. Why can't the dedicated line be brought up, right close to your rig? Dedicated lines, still, would be the preferred way to go. The reason for the dedicated lines is not to shorten the distance, anyway, but to isolate your rig from all other electrical interferrences, plus separte, most importantly, your digtal from analog. peace, warren

Rgd

I installed a dedicted line for my equipment and did not hear a substantial improvement; maybe a blacker backgroound. So IMO depending on the quality of your power; mine is pretty good, you may or may not hear an impact. I would, if you havn't already, install a couple of good hospital grade outlets in the outlet box you are currently utilizing and upgrade the power cords on your equipment. I am not familiar with your power conditioning unit but you might want to try active power conditioning as well.

There is no-way I would use 20 foot power cords as the cost alone IMO would not be the most effective use of your dollars. I believe there are a couple of easier tweaks available to get you close to dedicated power; such as the ones mentioned above. I am not an electrician but maybe there is a way to install an isolation transformer on your existing line;again just some thoughts. In closing I would try and find an electrician who understands your situation and get some ideas.

Chuck

Below is just one example of a method for installing dedicated audio branch circuits and outlets by your audio equipment.

Wiremold products can be purchased in metallic and non metallic. The product is surface mounted to your existing walls.

Best to hire an electrical contractor for installation.
A commercial electrical contractor.
Specify solid awg wire not stranded. He will press for stranded, tell him no, you want solid.

When you talk to the contractor over the phone tell him you are thinking of Wiremold and have him bring a Wiremold material book with him. There is a multitude of different raceway sizes to choose from. The size will be determined by the number of dedicated circuits you want and the wire size.
Note..... No multi wire circuits.....No shared neutrals.....

Check out the picture supplied by Wiremold. You can install the Wiremold raceway and boxes above the top edge of the base trim around the wall.

If you could supply some pictures of your room that would allow more fine tuning of your situation.

http://www.wiremold.com/www/commercial/products/index.asp

http://www.wiremold.com/www/commercial/products/index_family.asp?major_system_id=1

http://www.wiremold.com/www/commercial/products/product_detail.asp?major_system_id=1&product_id=11&product_family_id=4&sub_system_id=2

If you already have one dedicated line that does not require long (and consequently potentially very expensive) power cords, I would be really cautious about saying you definitely will find an audible improvement adding the two extra lines under these circumstances. If you could plug straight into the wall, you probably would hear a clear improvement. But the really big sonic upgrade seems to be going from no dedicated lines to at least one, which if I understand your post, you already have. Depending on what power cords you are thinking about using, this could be a very expensive undertaking indeed. The lines themselves could be done for less than $500 in most cases, but power cords of this length could easily run many times this amount by themselves. And long runs in cords/cables are never a good thing sonically to begin with.

Rgd
I agree with Chuck, talk to your electrician and get his idea on how to best run dedicated lines close to where your rig is now. There are usually ways of snaking lines from the panel to the new location even without access to the space above or below. The electrician might have to open small holes (for snaking wires) in the walls and/or ceiling but these are easily repaired. Good Luck.