20 amp breaker...does it make a difference?

Posts: 5,117
edited January 2008 in Electronics
Now that I have my Krell KAV 250a back up & running it has really impressed me. Currently it is running of a 15 amp breaker. Would going to a dedicated 20 amp breaker make that much of a difference? I'm figuring on a $200 or so bill to hire an electrician to do the job. Sound about right?
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
Post edited by pearsall001 on
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  • Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2008
    yes and yes!
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  • Posts: 6,146
    edited January 2008
    Ok, then why 20 over 15 when the draw is low. I'm in the same boat and am contemplating a 15 or 20 amp dedicated circuit and am undecided at this point.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    janmike wrote: »
    Ok, then why 20 over 15 when the draw is low. I'm in the same boat and am contemplating a 15 or 20 amp dedicated circuit and am undecided at this point.
    If the 15 amp breaker is not nuisance trippping then no need to upgrade to a 20 amp.But what I think he is asking is,will upgrading the wiring to 20 amp rating 12 awg or (10 awg) be benificial.With a big power amp yes I think it is a worthwhile upgrade.
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  • Posts: 4,796
    edited January 2008
    GV#27 wrote: »
    If the 15 amp breaker is not nuisance trippping then no need to upgrade to a 20 amp.But what I think he is asking is,will upgrading the wiring to 20 amp rating 12 awg or (10 awg) be benificial.With a big power amp yes I think it is a worthwhile upgrade.

    I agree. But around here, 12 awg is required for all outlet wiring, whether you use 20 amp breakers or 15 amp breakers. I thought this was pretty standard. 14 awg is allowed for lighting only.

    I would think if his house already had 12 awg, all he needs to do is install 20 amp breakers, and 20 amp outlets. But if the breaker is not tripping, this won't change a thing, performance wise.
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  • Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    It's the 'dedicated' part that makes it so special.
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  • Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    But around here, 12 awg is required for all outlet wiring, whether you use 20 amp breakers or 15 amp breakers.
    Wise
    I thought this was pretty standard.
    Not around here unless the code has recently changed.14 awg is used on all 15 amp outlets and lighting.
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  • Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    It's the 'dedicated' part that makes it so special.
    You can make most oulets a dedicated by simply not using the other outlets.:D
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  • Posts: 4,796
    edited January 2008
    GV#27 wrote: »
    Wise
    Not around here unless the code has recently changed.14 awg is used on all 15 amp outlets and lighting.

    I don't know if it has changed or not, but it was the code here when I added an addition last year. Maybe one of the resident electricians here knows.

    Oddly, my house was biult in 1975, and all the existing wiring was 12 awg, 20 amp breakers, but 15 amp outlets. Even all the lighting is 12 awg. Maybe the builder was just a big spender?
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  • Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2008
    Phil don't forget to use hospital grade outlets too.
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  • Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    Maybe the builder was just a big spender?
    Or owned shares in a copper company.
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  • Posts: 6,146
    edited January 2008
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Phil don't forget to use hospital grade outlets too.

    Where are you buying these Joe. I did see one on PartExpress and they wanted almost $150 for it. I cannot find anything in this town except the standard $15 ones.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    janmike wrote: »
    Where are you buying these Joe. I did see one on PartExpress and they wanted almost $150 for it. I cannot find anything in this town except the standard $15 ones.
    I bought one of the Hubbles from these guys. http://www.partsconnexion.com/catalog/ac_products.htmlClick on the link and at the bottom of page click on Hubbell.


    I think I paid $17 the company is in Oakville Ont.
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  • Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2008
    janmike wrote: »
    Where are you buying these Joe. I did see one on PartExpress and they wanted almost $150 for it. I cannot find anything in this town except the standard $15 ones.

    Naaaa, they are all over the internet for $40.
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  • Posts: 458
    edited January 2008
    Let's define "Big Amp" first. What power ratings and manufacturer's products would qualify and benefit from this type of "upgrade?"
    THE SYSTEM
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  • Posts: 2,467
    edited January 2008
    Krell is for losers :D

    How bout that pre amp shootout? I have big $ riding on it and need some new IC's.
    Venom
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  • Posts: 11,127
    edited January 2008
    I upgraded to 2 dedicated 15amp breakers for our HT. The family friend/electrician said it would just mean it would take more to trip the breaker at 20amps so 15 is safer. The best bet is to upgrade the wire. So that is what I did. Mind you at this house for some reason I never have reached 120 om my panamax.......even before the change....
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  • Posts: 25,264
    edited January 2008
    Not worth the cost or effort unless it's constantly tripping. Now perhaps a small nuclear generating station might be in order :D
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Posts: 2,374
    edited January 2008
    My Kav250A is hooked up on a 15 amp circuit and it has NEVER tripped the breaker. The lights do dim a little when the amp first is powered on though. (And, I am driving a 4-ohm load).
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  • Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    Ethancf wrote: »
    Let's define "Big Amp" first. What power ratings and manufacturer's products would qualify and benefit from this type of "upgrade?"
    I think this qualifies http://www.bryston.ca/14bsst_m.html they make a version for use with a 20 amp circuit(upgraded internal breaker and fusing).But the real benifit of the extra available current may only be realized when driving 4 ohm loads.
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  • Posts: 5,117
    edited January 2008
    venomclan wrote: »
    Krell is for losers :D

    How bout that pre amp shootout? I have big $ riding on it and need some new IC's.
    Venom

    Hey Venom, maybe you were on vacation, because Mike already had the drawing & janmike was the lucky winner.

    I PM'ed Mike & told him I would still be a while on making my decision. I like them both & it's tougher than I had expected. I suggested that he go ahead & call it a tie & pick a winner from all who entered.

    Also I told Mike that I was expecting my Cambridge Audio 840c shortly & I wanted to add that to the mix. It would have really slowed things down. Some guys were getting ansy so Mike went ahead & had the drawing.

    I'll still let you guys know which one prevails. They both have their +/- which has really been playing havic on choising one. I'm real curious how the 840c will sound using balanced with the Krell & single ended with the CJ. Maybe if there is a big difference in the sound between the two will help put this matter to rest.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2008
    I'm dying to hear it!!!
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  • Posts: 2,467
    edited January 2008
    But I have bets running on other forums, and with my bookie in LV.

    The CJ must be good to hold its own against the synergy and balanced connections of the Krells. It is a tough decision, that is why I am moving to Utah where polygamy is not as frowned upon. :)
    Venom
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  • Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    GV#27 wrote: »
    You can make most oulets a dedicated by simply not using the other outlets.:D

    O.k. I don't know how practical that is. Besides would just having a lot of extra unused outlets add noise?
    Sharp Elite 70
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    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
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    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • Posts: 14,873
    edited January 2008
    wingnut4772 wrote: »
    O.k. I don't know how practical that is.
    I forgot the smiley at the end of my post.It would not be practical as likely some of the outlets would be needed.
    Besides would just having a lot of extra unused outlets add noise?
    No.
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  • Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    GV#27 wrote: »
    I forgot the smiley at the end of my post.It would not be practical as likely some of outlets would needed.
    No.

    Ahhh. I was just thinking it through.:)
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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