[satfrat]

Hi everybody. Very interesting thread.

I am thinking of installing a dedicated circuit as a DIY project (I buy the hardware and a construction pro friend does the work for $20/hr.).

But, it seems like it will be too expensive. Parts Express has a Wattgate 381 "Audio Grade" receptacle for $148 and Belden "Audiopile Grade" 12g power cable for $8/ft. Will probably need 50' from fuse box to attic, down to wall. Hardware cost already $548 and that's w/o the grounding stuff posted above.

Anyone know where I can get cheaper wire and audiophile grade receptacle? Do Need 12g wire (seems to be for DIY power chords rather than dedicated circuit)? 

You can get cryoed 10G Romex here for $2.99/ft and there are great sounding duplex's out there for a whole lot less than $148. I use a gold plated 20A Furutech myself but would love to try both Oyaide's R-1 and Synergistic Research's new Tesla Plex. Even tho I've never actually heard a Wattgate 381, it wouldn't surprise me if I found them to be overrated for the price. I highly recommend a dedicated circuit just from my own personal experience but then again I've heard others say it made no difference at all in their systems,,, so once again we met in a subjective field, no big surprise there. Good luck with your project Mike.


Cheers,
Robin

[cryoparts]

and Belden "Audiopile Grade" 12g power cable for $8/ft.

Try Kevin at DIY Cable, he may have some of the Cardas UL listed in wall wiring for sale.  Good stuff.

Peace,

Lee

[markC]

How about some standard 12g romex and spec. grade receptacles from the local Depot or Lowes. You'll likely have 95% of the performance @ 15% of the cost.
If someone can hear the difference between cryoed and non-cryoed romex, well, more power to them. I personally wouldn't spend the extra dough to find out. Unless of course I were very rich and sported a system worth $500K. I'm not and I don't.
IMO you can't go wrong with a dedicated line and you can always dabble in exotic receptacles later.

[satfrat]

How about some standard 12g romex and spec. grade receptacles from the local Depot or Lowes. You'll likely have 95% of the performance @ 15% of the cost.
If someone can hear the difference between cryoed and non-cryoed romex, well, more power to them. I personally wouldn't spend the extra dough to find out. Unless of course I were very rich and sported a system worth $500K. I'm not and I don't.
IMO you can't go wrong with a dedicated line and you can always dabble in exotic receptacles later.

That's what I did Mark for the Romex but if I knew then what I now know about cryogenics, I would have spent the extra $$ to either buy the wire already cryoed or sent the stock Romex to Lee at Cryoparts or Crypgenics International. I fully agree tho with your assessment of 95% @ 15% the cost. It all boils down to what you're willing to spend for that little bit more,,, hell that's what high end audio is all about my friend. aa

Cheers,
Robin

[markC]

Yes, Robin, you've got a point there. I guess that's what keeps us on the bus on route to the Holy Grail of audio.

[mjosef]

The Romex(10Ga.) Robin recommended would be an excellent choice for the 50ft run. No need to spend more.
You need a bigger gauge (smaller #) as the run increases beyond 40-50ft. I haven't seen an electrician use 14Ga. over the past decade. 12Ga. is the accepted standard in the trade. And since this is audiophile territory...I would say 12Ga. for runs below 25ft. and 10Ga. for runs up to 50-70ft. But that's just my opinion. 

And the Hubbell outlet Lee mentioned would be an excellent choice also.

[Mike19]

Thanks for all the replies.  aa

If (that's a big if) I could afford to install 2 circuits, would it be better to have one for analog (preamp and amp) and one for digital (DAC and computer used for music source)? 

[Mike19]

FYI: Intersting thread re wall receptacles:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=50320.0

 

[Glen B]

My honest opinion is that what you are proposing is overkill for the system you have.  Save your money and use plain 12 or 10 gauge Romex; it should work just fine.  Even if you upgrade your system later on, IMO you will still be ahead of the game.  Lee at Cryoparts has Furutech FP-15A audiophile grade receptacles for $50.00 each.  Another alternative is a Pass & Seymour 20A or 15A silver plated cryoed outlet from Dedicated Audio at $45 and $40 each respectively.  Either one will work on a 20A circuit.  The NEC allows a 15A duplex receptacle to be installed on a 20A circuit.  15A and 20A receptacles have the same current carrying capacity.  The only difference is the T shaped neutral slot of the 20A receptacle is to restrict 20A rated equipment to only be operated on a 20A circuit.   

For my own dedicated 20A circuit for my 2-channel system (listed below) I use individual 10 gauge type THHN/THWN wire in conduit, terminated with a Furutech FP-15A silver plated outlet (now discontinued).  I also have a separate HT/secondary 2-channel system operating on another circuit wired with 12 gauge armored cable and a Leviton 15A industrial grade outlet.

System:
Denon DP-59L TT, modified, with ATOC9 MC cartridge
Marantz Reference SA-11S2 SACD player
Classé CP-50 preamp with phono, modified
Classé CA-300 amp, modified
DIY balanced power conditioner with surge protection
PSB Stratus Gold i speakers
Acoustic Zen Silver ICs, speaker cables and power cords

[Speedskater]

As Glen said, the only reason for using a 20A receptacle is if you have a "T" shaped 20A plug.  Everything but the slot shape is the same.

[BobM]

How about one of these relatively inexpensive and very good Hubbel outlets: HBL5262/HBL5362/HBL8300H?

Far better than spending $50 each on something "special".

Bob