AC conditioner or dedicated line?

Robert Harley -- Mon, 08/28/2006 - 09:38

I have a question about AC power and audio that I can’t seem to get answered. I was wondering if you could lend assistance. I recently purchased Meadowlark Kestrel II’s, PrimaLuna Prologue I, Eastern Electric Minimax CDP and DH Labs cables. My wife also recently put me on a strict budget for the next decade.

Regardless, I do want to upgrade my AC power in a cost effective way and from the research I’ve done, I believe I have three options which are to (1) dedicate the current 15 amp outlet that is in my townhouse and buy an 15 amp audio-grade receptacle

(2) have my neighbor, an electrician, install a 20 amp outlet and buy a corresponding audio-grade receptacle or (3) utilize current 15 amp receptacle and purchase a conditioning device. I plan to live in this townhouse for the next 5 years.

My questions are:

(a) Which of these options offers the most significant upgrade in sound quality vs. cost effectiveness?

(b) Is there an auditory distinction between 15 amp vs. 20 amp outlets? If so, what is the sonic difference?

Am I over-thinking this?

Tom Martin -- Mon, 08/28/2006 - 16:30

I would suggest that your best bang for the buck probably comes from having your townhome wired so that your audio equipment is on a separate 15 amp circuit. This should help isolate it from the other electrical demands in your home. Your neighbor should be able to tell you if this is difficult.

I doubt that the receptacle itself makes much difference, unless your existing receptacles are old/nasty (which in a townhouse they might be).

I don't think a 20amp circuit will help much. A 15 amp circuit can deliver 1800 watts, and I doubt the PrimaLuna draws much more than 500. The power required by your CD player is negligible.

Just my opinion though. Some kind of conditioner might be critical depending on the quality of power in your area.

CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC

Gonzalo -- Mon, 02/11/2008 - 21:14

I have 3 dedicated lines striclty for audio; 2 20 amp lines for my home theater (just the sub will take in almost 15 amps if driven hard)
the other amplifiers Aragon and Threshold rear and front channels respectively compete for the other 20 with the video screena nd front ends adn dac's and processor etc.

The other 20 amp line is going into my office for my office audio system the other 20 ampl line feeds my home office staff, printer, PC, monitor, telephones, fax machine, modem, network etc. etc.

The dynamics you get when you do that are very substantial, you gain in definition, dynamics (especially macro) minimize harshness if any left at all form solid state amplifiers ( iam a tube lover) and increase video detail and contrast on both TV and DVD player or blu ray equally you accentuate that if you use a god power filtration device I have wrote about thsi somewhere in anotehr subject.
You get a lot more also if you replace the AC receptacle for an excelent one the case of Oyaide RS-1 or the Wattgate, though the wattgate more natural sounding not as fast not sharp.

I hope this helps;

God Bless!;

Gonzalo