Advice on electrical circuit for Audio in new listening room

[triode12]

Hi All,

I'm currently in the planning stage of converting part of my garage into a listening room. I have three phase power coming into my home and all three phases have circuits running off them.

I was thinking of moving all of the existing circuits onto two phases and using the third phase exclusively for the wiring up circuits for powering my audio equipment, in the new listening room.

However, my friend who is a electrician (but not an audiophile) and whom is going to be doing the work, thinks it is unnecessary. He can do it but thinks that it is an unnecessary expense.

What do you guys think?

 

[brad225]

I'm not an electrician but, for the same reason you ideally keep all of the power for your equipment on a single phase on a typical panel in the USA.
I would say yes.
I don't know where you are located triode, though, I know some areas have 3 phase power.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...if you run a new line(s) to the garage, that labor is the same either way. If you run any 220v lines, you would have to share another phase anyway, right? So, I think the extra cost would be the time to sort out the existing panel...moving breakers around to distribute/balance circuits on the other phases. And possibly going back to a junction box for circuits (wires) not long enough to be relocated. That said, your sparky will know how much hassle it is for him. Some of what we do does not make practical sense to tradespeople. Even dedicated line(s) for audio will be a plus. Getting the fridge and washer separated may help additionally. This coming from a guy who turns off the furnace or A/C for critical listening.

Nice project. Good Luck!

 

[matthias]

I was thinking of moving all of the existing circuits onto two phases and using the third phase exclusively for the wiring up circuits for powering my audio equipment, in the new listening room.

When I built my house in Germany I did this exactly. I reserved one of the three phases for my audio with one AWG5 spur directly into the listening room. TBH, for me the perfect solution, I never looked back.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

@matthias brings up an interesting option as well: a larger-gauge line into your garage, into a sub-panel. You run the individual circuits from there. The devil is in the details for all of this (budget, distance, gear/power requirements, etc.).

 

[brad225]

When I built my listening room I told my electrician I want #10 wire run to all of the outlets in the room.

He pushed back a few times, telling me it was ridiculous and not needed.
I finally told him it should not be of any concern of his if I wanted to be able to do welding in my room. He didn't mention it again.

 

[matthias]

I am not a fanboy of MSB but this article about the topic is quite good:

How to wire your house for good power? -

Improving your Listening Room Wiring – By Vince Galbo NOTE: Please note that the details of these recommendations are written from […]

msbtechnology.com

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...10 gauge, absolutely. Frankly, if we're kicking this around: I ran stranded #10 THHN in flexible metal conduit for the gear. I ran a temp #6 for testing, and liked it, but reverted to #10 for convenience sake.

 

[rando]

What do you guys think?

If you are forced to weigh friendship or audio concerns as the unnecessary expense.

We always advise that audio is about the people. The people who say go for better audio.