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From: mberns@ut-ngp.UUCP (Mark Bernstein)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: wiring house for speakers
Message-ID: <2782@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 10-Jan-86 12:20:56 EST
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.2782
Posted: Fri Jan 10 12:20:56 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Jan-86 18:48:46 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: UTexas Computation Center, Austin, Texas
Lines: 55

[]

We'd appreciate some advice, and quickly as possible; hope some of
you can help (e-mail would be just fine). 

My wife and I are building a house, and we're in the
framing stage right now.  Interior electrical and plumbing work will
begin in just a week or two.  We are locating our stereo system in a 
central built-in location and plan to pre-wire for speaker outlets
in various locations which have been selected.

Facts whose relevance will quickly become apparent:  Our system is
by no means a high end audiophile system; it is simply a fairly good-
sounding conventional moderate-budget group of components put together
through several upgrades over the past few years.   Scott 359RS
receiver (50w/channel), high-end Hitachi turntable with Audio-Technica
cartridge, medium quality Teac cassette deck, a pair of Frazier "black
box" speaker systems cosmetically set up for home use.  For our personal
tastes, priorities, and budget, the system is quite satisfactory for us
(although, as a regular reader of this net.group I am well aware 
that it is far from state-of-the-art!), so no changes are contemplated there.

Given this as background, my questions concern some details of the wiring
we'd be doing.  

First, the longest speaker cable runs would be on the order of
35-40 feet.  I know the nature of the wiring is critical in order to prevent 
degrading the signal (for example, I wouldn't use simple 18 ga. lamp wire), 
but I also don't want to go into big $ overkill either (say, "Monster Cable",
gold plated connectors, etc. - I haven't been interested in these up to now,
and don't want to spend the money on them, anyway). 
I simply want to be reasonably sure that the system won't sound 
any different (worse) than it does now.  I'm thinking of using something 
like 14 ga. or 12 ga. solid copper Romex.  Is this a reasonable choice 
which will perform satisfactorily for *this* system?  Is the 12 ga. necessary
just to be sure?

Second, for those runs where the wire has to go a distance inside a long
wall (as opposed to running in between ceiling joists) it would be convenient 
for me to simply use the same holes through the studs that the electrician
would be making for his AC wiring in that room, thus saving me a 
significant amount of time drilling separate holes for the speaker wiring.  
The speaker wires would then be running parallel to, and very close to, 
the AC wires.  Would this be a terrible mistake?  I'm thinking of the danger
of picking up 60 Hz hum, etc., if that's possible.  If I should drill my own 
holes, how far from any AC lines should I place the speaker wiring?

[  :-)   I realize I'm flirting with danger asking simple-minded questions
about such a sound system in this net.group.  I can already hear the groans
from some individuals.  :-)   But I would appreciate some solid advice about
how to handle this. ]

Many thanks,

Mark Bernstein (UT Austin, Speech)