one or two dedicated line?

**John77** · April 25, 2019, 12:36 PM

i have two lines from the same phase
the sound is better when the system on one line.
why?
(im working with monoblocks )

**Jim Smith** · April 25, 2019, 01:43 PM

I've always thought it was ground-length related, but I'm not sure. Agree that it is audible though.

**Speedskater** · April 25, 2019, 02:51 PM

Yes, Safety Ground length from hi-fi component is one of the first priority's.
Most US hi-fi set-ups only need one 20Amp circuit (but there are exceptions).
For a big home theater set-up, I would run one large 120V feeder to a small breaker panel near the room, then 20A breakers to the big amps.

**Phil A** · April 25, 2019, 03:52 PM

I have three dedicated lines going to the main system which is an integrated AV system. I have the 2-channel stuff plugged into a Torus 20 amp power conditioner on its own 20 amp circuit in addition to two 15 amp circuits.

**the professor** · April 25, 2019, 05:26 PM

To me, if you are installing from scratch - do 3 all with the exact same length wire from the circuit box/ground. Yes that means that you waste wire on the shorter runs and the electrician will think you're nuts - get over it, we ARE nuts.

But expense wise it not that much money - less that $500.

and then you have the luxury to compare and use whatever works for your system you have at the time. IT WILL VARY depending on your components you have in your system. And doing the comparison every time you change things up. So having the option is Best!

**CPP** · April 26, 2019, 09:38 AM

I have 4 dedicated lines, 2 to my HT/TV/main 2 chl system (family room) and 2 to my office. All run to a sub panel off my main AC feed, grounds are to the same deep ground. No noise.

**Ritmo** · April 26, 2019, 10:02 AM

I have 4 dedicated lines in my music room. As Jock suggested above, all 4 have the same wire length. I’m only using 2 of the 4. The system is super quiet - no noise.

**Kingrex** · May 4, 2019, 10:47 AM

I have one 10 awg OFC cord from my panel to my rack. The cord was the biggest sonic gain.
I have tried thwn 10 awg in steel and pvc. I have tried 2 to 4 circuits. All multiple runs were the same length and on the same phase. Multiple circuits was not any better than a single circuits. 10 awg was definitely better than 12 awg. The ofc 10 awg cord definitely better than 10 awg romex or thwn in pipe.

**Jim Smith** · May 4, 2019, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Kingrex

I have one 10 awg OFC cord from my panel to my rack. The cord was the biggest sonic gain.
I have tried thwn 10 awg in steel and pvc. I have tried 2 to 4 circuits. All multiple runs were the same length and on the same phase. Multiple circuits was not any better than a single circuits. 10 awg was definitely better than 12 awg. The ofc 10 awg cord definitely better than 10 awg romex or thwn in pipe.

Unless a system has exceedingly unusual power demands, IME, a single dedicated 20 amp circuit with 10ga wire (in parallel outlets around the room where it may be needed) with attention paid to similar cable lengths, is all that anyone ever needs. Increased complexity with multiple dedicated circuits is more expensive, and can sometimes yield a lesser outcome than a well-executed single 20 amp circuit.

IMO, as always.

**UltraFast69** · May 4, 2019, 05:02 PM

I have gone back and forth on this.

My thought is it’s all in where you think you are in all phases that incorporate power, room and system.

Power does plays an important role but there is no one answer as there are too many variables other than the one constant, the audiophile.

In terms of power, most systems won’t creep over 4 amps, and that’s crankin’ loud so a single 20 amp leaves you plenty of dynamic head room. If you believe you can gain more sonically, then break it apart and run your amps apart from the others but follow the rules of equal lengths.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

**Kingrex** · May 5, 2019, 10:40 AM

I have been told conductor can be to large. Some amount of months back an individual was touting the virtues of his super special 4 gauge wire. I wrote him asking his thoughts on large conductor. He told me not to go any larger than 10. He didn't as far as I remember give any logical reasoning.

Even though your system may only use 4 amps during peak transients, I have very clearly heard a big jump in speed, ease, energy. It just breathe easier. It does nothing to reduce noise.

Here's a completely un-validated musing on my part. I am not sure if the fact that my cord is ofc or the fact that it is just a cord is what impacted the sound in a positive way IMO over THHN. What I mean is cord is wrapped in a rubber case and the conductors are wrapped in a rubber insulator. That rubber is very good at damping vibration. It could be the effect of damped micro vibrations by simply using cord that created a higher level of Sonic enjoyment I find in its usage.

And one more clarification on my use of cord. All of the pipe and wire or Romex installations I have performed went to a box in the wall and required power cords to be plugged into receptacles in those wall boxes/outlets. I have had a few people tell me ditch the wall outlets and go directly into a distribution strip. Imagine you bought some sort of Isoteck or shunyata power strip. No conditioning or anything in it, just a well-made heavy duty distribution strip with outlets in it. My cord comes directly off the circuit breaker in my panel and goes right into that strip and is bolted to the bus bars in it. I don't put any female Outlet on the end of the cord which then requires a male Outlet in the end of the power strip. I have now reduced the introduction of multiple metal types found in the male and female cord end an IEC Inlet as well as multiple termination points that may or may not be soldered. All of those connection points can influence the transmission of electrical energy and the sound.

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