Rewiring House - Audiophile Advice?

[zenpmd]

Ive moved into a old house and now have the opportunity to do the wiring properly. Has anyone got any tips to make this the best quality possible for lack of noise, etc?

 

Thanks

[master]

Cat 6 gigabit ethernet for starters.

 

I've not done any serious listening via ethernet so cannot really comment on the SQ in terms of audiophile advice. But its nice to have a gigabit network to transfer and stream movies locally from a NAS. Everything will take only seconds.

 

You can achieve the same with wireless (in theory). I've a gigabit wireless network (on paper) and its very fast, just don't see gigabit speeds though.

[Speedskater]

The Middle Atlantic paper:

Power Distribution and Grounding of Audio, Video and Telecommunications Equipment White Paper

"Integrating Electronic Equipment and Power into Rack Enclosures"

'Optimized Power Distribution and Grounding for Audio, Video and Electronic Systems'

White Papers

 

The Jim Brown paper:

Power and Grounding For Audio and Audio/Video Systems -- A White Paper for the Real World

http://www.audiosystemsgroup.com/SurgeXPowerGround.pdf

 

The Bill Whitlock paper:

 

Bill Whitlock, 9/4/2012

An Overview of Grounding & Interfacing

http://centralindianaaes.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/indy-aes-2012-seminar-w-notes-v1-0.pdf

[Axiom05]

You want to have gigabit Ethernet but you may want to consider using fiber optic instead of wire and using switches that can I/O both fiber and copper. There is a lot of info in the networking sub forum.

[MikeJazz]

Ive moved into a old house and now have the opportunity to do the wiring properly. Has anyone got any tips to make this the best quality possible for lack of noise, etc?

 

Thanks

 

I've got good results when I implemented a dedicated power line. Since you have a house you can also take care of grouding....that is a great opportunity.

 

I would start here, and then fix on the wall a good dedicated to audio wall power strip. From here to downstream you can progress with more or less budget allocated to power itens.

 

BTW, one nice way of seeing the result is by looking at video improvements. Power enhancements improve both video an audio, so if you see any good results on the tv you will be more confident that the audio is better served as well.

Then connect audio and video separately (disconnect video).

[17629]

Ive moved into a old house and now have the opportunity to do the wiring properly. Has anyone got any tips to make this the best quality possible for lack of noise, etc?

 

Thanks

 

 

Have an electrician run some dedicated lines and demo some good power conditioners once you have everything set up. With an old house, you're better off focusing on the room itself. You'll probably find more problems there.

[zenpmd]

Cat 6 gigabit ethernet for starters.

 

I've not done any serious listening via ethernet so cannot really comment on the SQ in terms of audiophile advice. But its nice to have a gigabit network to transfer and stream movies locally from a NAS. Everything will take only seconds.

 

You can achieve the same with wireless (in theory). I've a gigabit wireless network (on paper) and its very fast, just don't see gigabit speeds though.

 

For data, I have actually also bought PoF, rather than ethernet.

[tranz]

Use conduit so you can easily replace things when needed and extra shielding.

 

Seperate drops from the fusebox for analog and digital.

 

Thickest legal gauge for the biggest amp you think you will ever own.

 

Make sure cables are rated for in wall safety! A fire is easily started with electrical wires. Inspect the cables before placing for nicks and damage.

 

Tight twist on hot and neutral to minimize EMI field. You can save money buy doing this yourself: use a drill.

 

With metal conduit, use plastic outlet cover to lower EMI field.

 

Keep big distance between power and data lines.

 

Use an EMI meter. There might be other wiring, solar panel/neighbour/undocumented etc. that is hot and throws an EMI field. Don't want your data cables running right next to them.

 

If you are forced by space you can use material like Giron to divert magnetic fields away from data lines.

 

For ethernet get tested cables from eg bluejeanscable. Again conduit will help if something needs replacing.

 

Get balanced power and power filtering for key audio gear.

 

If you are opening walls anyway, add some noise deadening material.

 

Don't just plan for current needs. What if in the future you want a 4K tv on the wall? Is the HDMI 18Ghz? Separate power line to your power filter? 2 subs? Dolby Atmos setup? Etc.

[YashN]

- Dedicated Power lines

 

- Separate A/V Home theater from pure Stereo/Surround music system if you have the budget (this can get expensive very fast)

 

- Balanced Power

 

- Isolate the room/floor-board for your music system if you can

 

- AC Conditioning/Filter box (isolate vibration to it as well) + isolation transformers

 

- Fibre Optic Ethernet

 

- Use better outlets than the default ones (at least Hospital grade if you do not have the budget for the higher-end ones which are better suited to audiophiles)

 

- Use Linear Power supplies where possible

 

- Use Balanced equipment and interconnects

[One and a half]

There's quite a few good suggestions here already. The wiring guides that Speedskater mentioned are a very good.

 

- Dedicated Line is a must, keeps the rest of the house at some distance from the audio gear.

- Fit the Isolation transformer or CVT at the switchboard

- Run a SINGLE 20A supply in steel conduit. You can get EMC compliant steel conduit, but its $$$. Alternatively run the single dedicated line in shielded cable, ground both ends.

- Balanced Power for sure, creates a blacker background due to harmonic cancellation.

 

- Outlets/receptacles have as many as you need (depends on local wiring rules)

 

- YashN failed to mention, if balanced power is used, then orange outlets are mandatory in the US (if that's where the OP is from). Depending on the local authority, you could use a audiophile type Euro or different country type wall outlet so that any standard household appliance can't be used on balanced power is one way to use the 'better' outlets.

[YashN]

YashN failed to mention, if balanced power is used, then orange outlets are mandatory in the US (if that's where the OP is from). Depending on the local authority, you could use a audiophile type Euro or different country type wall outlet so that any standard household appliance can't be used on balanced power is one way to use the 'better' outlets.

 

More than that, follow the electrical code in the country you are in, get a proper electrician to do the wiring.

[mfaoro]

What distance should be kept between power and data? Minimum? Ideal?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

[Harpy]

18" from power line. Do not run in parallel to the power line cross at 90 degrees. I think that is the general guide line

 

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[Speedskater]

What distance should be kept between power and data? Minimum? Ideal?

Minimum 2 inches. Ideal 18 inches. Don't worry about the parallel business.

 

I know a pro that tapes the balanced interconnects and AC power cords together for on location live sound.

 

[Ralf11]

there is also special sheetrock for audio

 

big yes on conduit - put fiber and cat5 in it for now