dedicated outlet cost

12-06-06: Jaf2290
Tvad, what about keeping source on one circuit, and power hungry devices (amps, etc) on another. i know...MANY views on this..just curious of yours.

If you are speaking of analog sources, then I don't see why putting them on a separate circuit would be of any benefit unless the amps are drawing close to the 20amp limit of the circuit at peaks, and the addition of the analog source would starve the amplifiers of needed amperage. Analog sources don't draw much power.

Putting a digital source on a separate line is recommended for reasons previously stated.

I totally agree with Tvad.
I actually have 3 dedicated circuits. One (20A) for digital, one (20A) for Analog and a 3rd (30A) for my Pass Labs X350.5 Amp.
The 30 Amp circuit is overkill but my Amp will never starve!

My amp, a Moscode 401HR, uses 8 amps at full power output (300 wpc). The amp NEVER reaches 300 wpc output. I'll bet it rarely reaches 200 wpc, and I sometimes listen at very loud volumes. My Lamm LL2 Deluxe preamp draws less than 1 amp. So, at the highest output I'm looking at 9 amps maximum. If I had monoblocks, I'd be looking at 17 amps maximum at peaks...but again, I'd never reach the maximum. Never.

So, for most home audio systems the bottom line is that 20 amps is more than enough amperage on one circuit for two monoblock amplifiers, a preamp, and an analog frontend. Now, if you're a member of Metallica, then this scenario may be different.

If you want to add a third dedicated line and your wallet allows for it, then go for it.

so, i have just a 2 channel system, no video at all. ive got 2 dedicated outlets...only 1 digital component, my cd player. should i separate it this way? ive currently got my 2 amps and power supply for turntable on one circuit, and my phono pre, regular pre, cd player, and tuner. think id get much impact putting cd on the circuit with the amps? None of my gear draws a lot. im more concerned with source, preamps, and quality of power, not quantity as i dont need much...

I cheated. The main panel was full, obsolete and buried in the bedroom wall.

Split off from the 230V/40A oven line and ran 6/3 in the crawl space up to a subpanel in a closet. Dual 15A breakers to the 5KVA transformer and have "balanced" AC on both sides. Since 230 has two 115V hots, I had two more breakers for normal 115, all going into one big gang box. Used a GFI outlet for the balanced AC. Out of the subpanel, I used 12/2 BX and 10/4 cabtire to the tranny. As long as I don't blast the stereo while baking the Christmas turkey, the breakers are fine. The results were dead quiet even though it's not truly dedicated.

subpanel/breakers - about $100
30' 6/3 romex - $120
20A GFI outlet/ 4 ground splices/ rubber tape/ misc - $100
used tranny - $100 + $100 shipping
The rest was lying around

Considering that I have two Plinius SA100's (5A each) and the Genesis servo amp (1600W), I need lots of power.