Electrical advice

Hi Stewart,

Virtually everything needed to maximize the hi-fi's AC in an American home is right here:

NANA

View the "Should I purchase a power conditioner...." in the Q & A section.

The only thing I would add is have your electrician distribute the household's electrical load so all the major appliance breakers *and* the single, dedicated hi-fi breaker share one bus bar. The lighting circuits and small-appliance circuits should share the other bus bar. (He/she will know exactly what I mean here). This combination of load distribution is as big an upgrade again as a dedicated line itself.

What do you get? Let's assume an existing home and hi-fi. If a severely polluting appliance (some home PCs for example) had resided on the same bus bar as the hi-fi, simply redistributing the load (in combination with a dedicated hi-fi circuit/Wiremold strip as described at the NANA site) will easily give an improvement as large as going from a 102 to a 52 preamp if not larger. Additionally, these improvements cannot be gained by other means (box or rack upgrade). You simply feel more connected with the music.


hth,

dave

[This message was edited by dave simpson on FRIDAY 19 April 2002 at 04:22.]

Dave,

Thanks for this information.

StewartE

"It is ideal that the system has its own separate circuit and circuit-breaker. Install a dedicated 20 A circuit, complete with new wire, directly to your system. One dual (2) socket, hospital-grade outlet is all that is necessary."

"Ask your electricia n to distribute the household's electrical load so all the major appliance breakers *and* the single, dedicated hi-fi breaker share one bus bar. The lighting circuits and small-appliance circuits should share the other bus bar. "

Is there a grade or typ e of wire that is preferred? And what is the "current" opinion regarding a separate Earth.

And if I wanted to add an AV2-based home theatre system, I presume readers would recommend a similar approach ? (preferably based on personal experience.)

I would like to maximise the potential of this infrequent opportunity.

Stewart

[This message was edited by Stewart Cooper on SATURDAY 20 April 2002 at 01:29.]]

[This message was edited by Stewart Cooper on SATURDAY 20 April 2002 at 01:30.]

"Is there a grade or typ e of wire that is preferred?"

Type of wire should always be copper unless gauge (and ultimately price) dictates multi-strand aluminum. I'd check with NANA regarding the various wire types. I'd be surprised if they recommend anything but the bog-standard stuff typically used. The wire's gauge (thickness) is determined by the amperage of the load and length of run.

"And what is the "current" opinion regarding a separate Earth."

Personally haven't tried this.

"And if I wanted to add an AV2-based home theatre system, I presume readers would recommend a similar approach ? (preferably based on personal experience.)"

I doubt there would be any different approach other than inserting a ground blocker (available at most electronic supply houses)at your cable TV's wall outlet. This will lift the ground from the cable company which is at a different potential from your AC ground - benefits are no hum and improved sound quality. My experience is with combining basic TV, DVD, VCR setups with naim rigs - not multi-channel A/V Naim-based installs.

"I would like to maximise the potential of this infrequent opportunity."

***Absolutely correct! I'd personally recommend a call to Dave Dever, Chris West, or Chris Koster (C. Koster's on the road 99% of the time though) at NANA to get their thoughts on all these matters. They are your best source for any questions regarding "hi-fi" in my opinion.****

hth,

dave

Again, thanks very much Dave.

Stewart

I eventually went for a dedicated electrical subpanel with 2x30 Amp dual outlets. I hope electrons will flow soon. Thanks very much to all who helped.

Stewart