[toronto416]

In my listening room I have only one two pronged plug for my entire 2 channel system (but I use two line conditioners that each have several outlets).

I am planning to buy a new CD player, pre-amp, amp, and speakers.  I am considering the B&W 803d (or 802d) with Bryston amps (4B SST, 14B SST, or 7B SST x 2).

One outlet is used for CD & pre-amp, and the other for the amp.  The silly question is, can the 7Bs share the same line conditioner plugged into just one prong, or should I use a 14B SST instead?

Mark 

[Waker]

Mark,  are you saying you have only one outlet in the room, such as a duplex outlet? And you have a line conditioner plugged into each of the two receptacles?  If this is the case, that single outlet will probably not serve the demands of a 14B, unless it is a dedicated 20 amp circuit.  Even that may not supply enough wattage for peak demands.  Try to upgrade that circuit if it is old, etc.  I finally installed a 240 volt circuit for a stepdown transformer.  Check out that Richard Gray gear for a rock solid power supply.  I hope Mr. Tanner will provide a clinical on the topic.         

[James Tanner]

Hi Mark,

There are no silly questions - just silly answers 

The 14B or the two 7B's would draw the same current - about 15 amps at full power into 8 ohms. As the impedance goes down in the speaker though the amp will try to draw more current  so a lot depends on the speaker and amp combination.

With amplifiers it is not so much the steady state maximum RMS current draw you worry about but the 'Instantanious current draw' is very important.  A typical 200-300 watt audio power amplifier can demand up 10 amps RMS current from a 120 volt line but may demand up to 50 amp instantaneous peaks on music transients.

So I usually recommend that you do not plug large powered Bryston amplifiers into typical line conditioners out there because they limit the instantanious current draw. Have a look at the Torus product (http://www.toruspower.com/) on our website as they are designed with this issue in mind if you want some kind of power conditioning.

Ok so to finish up, my recommendation is that even though the rms maximum current draw from the wall with a 14B or a pair of 7B's may be 15 plus amps you are very rarely using anywhere near that power steady state -- so generally I recommend adding up all the current requirements for all your gear and taking about 2/3rds of that number as the recommended requirement for your system - more is always better of course and as Waker says installing a 20 amp or 240 amp service or Torus would be beneficial in the longterm.

Hope this helps.

james

[toronto416]

Thanks for the replies.

If I use a Torus unit with 8 power receptacles, can I plug everything into the one unit (CD player, pre-amp, two 7Bs or one 14B)? 

Or do I need two units, one for the CD player and pre-amp, and another for the amps?  This starts to look like an even more expensive solution...

Regards,

Mark

[James Tanner]

Hi Mark,

1 Torus 15 amp (CS15) unit will do but try the system first before committing.

james

[KeithA]

Hi Mark,

1 Torus 15 amp (CS15) unit will do but try the system first before committing.

james

I run my entire system (6B/14B/SP1.7/, etc) on a sinlge RM20 plugged into a dedicated 15 amp line. I don't run my system hard, but i've never had a problem with mine.

Keith

[SF]

Good question. I have ordered the CS15, which should be ready very soon, for all my gear and the 14B. With the price-drop of $800 (compared to RM20), going into a 15A wall plug, and probably more power than I will use in my house, I am unlikely to come close to the full 15A draw of the 14B. So I decided to cut back slightly on the PIU. Hopefully, it will not be bad decision. I won't be able to compare to RM20, but at volumes that I listen to music, I should be fine with the 15A unit on a 14B.

I can't answer your second question. I am not sure if putting the digital gear on the same PIU will dirty the amps feed. I was planning on keeping them separate, but would love suggestions by more experienced members.

Sounds like a great update -- have fun.

[drummermitchell]

I remember when I had a 15a balanced Torus(240V) dedicated line,I ran 3X7B-ssts+2X4Bssts and sub+camponents.I used to use Shunyatas before.
Didn't really notice a difference until I installed another 20a balanced,I don't think the 15a could handle the 5 amps+sub all at once.
Instantly as soon as the 20 was in Holy Crap,everything coming out of that system was very authoritive,powerful ect,night+day difference.
I don't play loud(maybe a bit) in my 11X12 room,but I have to say if your Torus can handle what amplifiers you do have+some extra,you are definately in  treat.
I wouldn't skimp on a Torus,if you can afford a 15,I'd go for a 20a,
but that's me I always want more,especially when the Torus(s) shocked the
heck outta me ..

[SF]

I remember when I had a 15a balanced Torus(240V) dedicated line,I ran 3X7B-ssts+2X4Bssts and sub+camponents.I used to use Shunyatas before.
Didn't really notice a difference until I installed another 20a balanced,I don't think the 15a could handle the 5 amps+sub all at once.
Instantly as soon as the 20 was in Holy Crap,everything coming out of that system was very authoritive,powerful ect,night+day difference.
I don't play loud(maybe a bit) in my 11X12 room,but I have to say if your Torus can handle what amplifiers you do have+some extra,you are definately in  treat.
I wouldn't skimp on a Torus,if you can afford a 15,I'd go for a 20a,
but that's me I always want more,especially when the Torus(s) shocked the
heck outta me ..

Drummermitch

Oh boy, but you had the entire system (5.1) on it. Do you think the difference would have been obvious given the systems below:

1) 14B (or 2 x 7B) on RM 20

v.s.

2) 14B (or 2 x 7B) on CS 15

[drummermitchell]

Hi,I should have tried just the 7B-ssts,to see.I really don't know if it would have been that dramatic.Seems with the extra amperage from the extra Torus,
let the 5 Bryston's open right up,nothing worse than say a live band running on a thousand watts of power with everything miked up,I have heard that and it
SUCKS big time.Give a band enough power amplification and it's a MAJOR difference.That's what the Torus(s) give me,that kind of rush.
Think I'll go spin an LP-Idle Eyes Tokyo Rose and wake up the place.
If it was me and I had the 7bs or a 14,I'd go with a 20a.
Course then it would drive me nuts as I would want a Torus for my components(which I have)20a for components and a 60a for my amps
Maybe you'll upgrade to 28s later and then you might want a larger Torus,
Took me a couple of Torus(s)to figure out that I don't want my amps to starve for power,now I'm ready if ever I need to run my amps full tilt,they
won't be wanting ..

[Gojo]

Hi Mark
I own a Torus 20 RM unbalanced with 3x7bs sq plugged and everything else (preamp, TV, CDplayer, Bell Box).  I mostly listen to 2 channel stereo, so only run  2x7bs on. I now have it plugged into a separate 20 amp breaker.   I share Drummermitchell's sentiments, and I am now looking to buy a 2nd Torus 20 RM.  I'm just got a pair IB2s. Here's why I would go with the Torus 20.  Pricewise, not much of a difference 20 Rm you can get for $2500.  The $1700 for 15CS, per amp as a 20 CS ie this price would be $2267, OK you save $133 bucks.  The 20 RM can be plugged into a 15 or 20 amp receptable, not sure about the 15 CS or RM.

When I first got it, I had a 4B sst and ran a paradigm studio 60s.  With the Torus, big improvement, but still some compression at high spls.  Then got the separate 20 am breaker, compression disappeared (that was in the spring).  This fall got the IB2s.  At low to moderate volumes, superb.  At high volumes, it can vary a little with the bottom end, but only on certain tracks.  Bass becomes less tight, a more diffuse sound.  Could be room acoustics too.  I think it's power requirements of the 7B IB2 combo.   No change for Micheal Jackson in compression at ear bleeding volumes. Bass is good all the way. Some movie sound tracks at certain spots in the lower frequencies, and the amps are not clipping eg Pirates I.  BTW, a non issue for movies; maybe I'm not listening as closely to the special effects or don't care.  Can't go wrong with either purchase.  No doubt, volume levels are an issue.  I guess the problem many of have in this hobby, for me anyways, is you're always wanting more.  So why not start now.

Not the comparison you wanted, but in the right direction I hope
(BTW, break in time for me seemed about  2 weeks.  When I unplugged it for receptable upgrade ( a week), it took a week to get full bass back watching Jurasic Park. For that reason, demoing one might be tricky.  Check out the other testimonies at the Torus website)

 Best of Luck
Joe

[Laundrew]

Hi Mark
I own a Torus 20 RM unbalanced with 3x7bs sq plugged and everything else (preamp, TV, CDplayer, Bell Box).  I mostly listen to 2 channel stereo, so only run  2x7bs on. I now have it plugged into a separate 20 amp breaker.   I share Drummermitchell's sentiments, and I am now looking to buy a 2nd Torus 20 RM.  I'm just got a pair IB2s. Here's why I would go with the Torus 20.  Pricewise, not much of a difference 20 Rm you can get for $2500.  The $1700 for 15CS, per amp as a 20 CS ie this price would be $2267, OK you save $133 bucks.  The 20 RM can be plugged into a 15 or 20 amp receptable, not sure about the 15 CS or RM.

When I first got it, I had a 4B sst and ran a paradigm studio 60s.  With the Torus, big improvement, but still some compression at high spls.  Then got the separate 20 am breaker, compression disappeared (that was in the spring).  This fall got the IB2s.  At low to moderate volumes, superb.  At high volumes, it can vary a little with the bottom end, but only on certain tracks.  Bass becomes less tight, a more diffuse sound.  Could be room acoustics too.  I think it's power requirements of the 7B IB2 combo.   No change for Micheal Jackson in compression at ear bleeding volumes. Bass is good all the way. Some movie sound tracks at certain spots in the lower frequencies, and the amps are not clipping eg Pirates I.  BTW, a non issue for movies; maybe I'm not listening as closely to the special effects or don't care.  Can't go wrong with either purchase.  No doubt, volume levels are an issue.  I guess the problem many of have in this hobby, for me anyways, is you're always wanting more.  So why not start now.

Not the comparison you wanted, but in the right direction I hope
(BTW, break in time for me seemed about  2 weeks.  When I unplugged it for receptable upgrade ( a week), it took a week to get full bass back watching Jurasic Park. For that reason, demoing one might be tricky.  Check out the other testimonies at the Torus website)

 Best of Luck
Joe

I must look into Torus equipment. Are the prices you quoted in $CDN or $US?

Be well....

[James Tanner]

Same prices in US and Canada.

james

[Laundrew]

Thank you James

[Tony1]

Is it safe to use 15amp components(CD player, pre amp etc) and say 2x20amp 7bsst's with one RM20 on a dedicated 20amp line?  Wondering if the 15amp components will get damaged using it on a 20amp line.

[Gojo]

The 7b sst sqs I own are 15 amp rated.  Didn't know you could get them in 20 amp.
The rest of the equipment is 15 amp rated or less and been plugged in for 1 year.  Working fine so far.
I guess the analogy would be, can you plug in a 5 amp electronic device in a 15 amp receptable with other 15 amp devices plugged in?  Any service technican I've spoken to has said, not a problem.  I think we do this at home all the time with a kinds of devices plugged into the wall which is rated at 15 amps.

[James Tanner]

Is it safe to use 15amp components(CD player, pre amp etc) and say 2x20amp 7bsst's with one RM20 on a dedicated 20amp line?  Wondering if the 15amp components will get damaged using it on a 20amp line.

Hi Tony,

No issues at all.

james

[toronto416]

Thank-you to all, this has been most educational, and not silly at all!

I therefore need to add another component to my system, a Torus CS 15 B powerline conditioner. 

I now know that I have at least a 15 amp circuit in my listening room, and that the 14B and 7Bs are rated at 15 amps, and so I would be OK with either choice.

Regards,

Mark