Impending rewire - hifi question
Discussion
About to embark on a rewire on a 6 bed 1820 ‘distinctive’ (as in, weird) house. It’s got a tower for a start…
And yes, it’s costing a bloody fortune, but I believe in do it once and do it right, even if it means temporary penury.
When we moved here I was pleased that there was a second sitting room/man cave where I could indulge my vinyl habit. But I suddenly realised I actually *like* spending time with my wife, so I’d like to use that room for ‘best’, and transfer my hifi stuff into the main living room.
The hifi comprises a turntable and a (streaming) amp, plus speakers on stands and a hifi sub.
If you look at the attached pic (which doesn’t have the hifi stuff in, obviously), we don’t have much room on either side of the av unit, and it’s a stupidly big tv (not my choice, the wife). I was planning on moving the unit/tv about a foot to the right, wall mounting the stupid tv, and putting the turntable dead centre on the av unit, with amp and tv box below. Fibre comes in bottom left (this socket will have to be exposed otherwise I’d presumably have to pay BT a fortune a few inches to the right, unless the electrician would be ok moving it).
I’d like minimal visible cables. Ideally none. What do I ask for in terms of future proofing?
Do I have a few sockets for input at the top, and wire them to identical sockets at the bottom, or just feed them through a brush socket to go down to the proper ones?
I’m thinking going up to the tv, in a channel, would be a couple of HDMI cables, an optical for sound from tv to amp, power cable, Ethernet just in case, and some form of string to pull up/remove cables as required. Possibly stick BT router to back of tv to hide it, so another Ethernet cable I guess. With that many cables I’d assume I’d need another brush socket, or a double?
The rewire will have 4x 2 gang sockets hidden by the unit, but I may put in a Rega turntable shelf below the wall mounted tv, as well as the sub to one side, so I guess I could get a ‘second access point’ into the channel coming down from the tv?
No interest in the av aspect other than maybe get the tv sound through the amp/speakers, we’re not into films and have no plans for any home cinema type system. We’ll be here until we’ll after we retire, so considerations for future occupiers in terms of tech aren’t relevant
And yes, it’s costing a bloody fortune, but I believe in do it once and do it right, even if it means temporary penury.
When we moved here I was pleased that there was a second sitting room/man cave where I could indulge my vinyl habit. But I suddenly realised I actually *like* spending time with my wife, so I’d like to use that room for ‘best’, and transfer my hifi stuff into the main living room.
The hifi comprises a turntable and a (streaming) amp, plus speakers on stands and a hifi sub.
If you look at the attached pic (which doesn’t have the hifi stuff in, obviously), we don’t have much room on either side of the av unit, and it’s a stupidly big tv (not my choice, the wife). I was planning on moving the unit/tv about a foot to the right, wall mounting the stupid tv, and putting the turntable dead centre on the av unit, with amp and tv box below. Fibre comes in bottom left (this socket will have to be exposed otherwise I’d presumably have to pay BT a fortune a few inches to the right, unless the electrician would be ok moving it).
I’d like minimal visible cables. Ideally none. What do I ask for in terms of future proofing?
Do I have a few sockets for input at the top, and wire them to identical sockets at the bottom, or just feed them through a brush socket to go down to the proper ones?
I’m thinking going up to the tv, in a channel, would be a couple of HDMI cables, an optical for sound from tv to amp, power cable, Ethernet just in case, and some form of string to pull up/remove cables as required. Possibly stick BT router to back of tv to hide it, so another Ethernet cable I guess. With that many cables I’d assume I’d need another brush socket, or a double?
The rewire will have 4x 2 gang sockets hidden by the unit, but I may put in a Rega turntable shelf below the wall mounted tv, as well as the sub to one side, so I guess I could get a ‘second access point’ into the channel coming down from the tv?
No interest in the av aspect other than maybe get the tv sound through the amp/speakers, we’re not into films and have no plans for any home cinema type system. We’ll be here until we’ll after we retire, so considerations for future occupiers in terms of tech aren’t relevant
An AV unit isn't a great location for any turntable......you may be able to get away with it if you listen at low volumes but at medium to higher levels, the feedback is likely to compromise the Rega's performance. It may be something you can check out before committing to anything.
Set the system up with the Rega on the AV unit...........place a record on the platter but do not start the motor. Raise the volume level on your amp and tap the top surface of the AV whilst listening to how effectively the Rega's feet are at decoupling and preventing feedback? Sprung subchassis turntables are usually far better in this respect than rigid TTs with feet. Rega's are good though.........hopefully you'll be OK.
Set the system up with the Rega on the AV unit...........place a record on the platter but do not start the motor. Raise the volume level on your amp and tap the top surface of the AV whilst listening to how effectively the Rega's feet are at decoupling and preventing feedback? Sprung subchassis turntables are usually far better in this respect than rigid TTs with feet. Rega's are good though.........hopefully you'll be OK.
I put split distribution boards 1 per floor for convenience but also a completely separate Hi Fi power circuit (ring) wired with 4mm2. I've no idea whether it made any difference but the on cost was negligible. You can rarely have too many socket outlets.
Floor boxes are also useful obviating the need for trailing leads all over the place.
If you are able I'd recommend cableways with draw wires for future proofing.
We did go full on with scaled paper cut-outs of furniture and stuff laid on GA drawings. We even did some full scale mock ups.
Don't assume WiFi works everywhere so include Cat6/& data outlets if your budget allows for it.
Think of how many lighting circuits you want per room and dimming requirements.
Crackie makes a good point re the turntable. A separate wall mounted shelf would probably be better.
Floor boxes are also useful obviating the need for trailing leads all over the place.
If you are able I'd recommend cableways with draw wires for future proofing.
We did go full on with scaled paper cut-outs of furniture and stuff laid on GA drawings. We even did some full scale mock ups.
Don't assume WiFi works everywhere so include Cat6/& data outlets if your budget allows for it.
Think of how many lighting circuits you want per room and dimming requirements.
Crackie makes a good point re the turntable. A separate wall mounted shelf would probably be better.
Edited by Nickgnome on Monday 14th February 11:49
For the tv wall point you can just bury some conduit or extractor fan ducting between the two plate points. Usually nice and wide for cable runs. Maybe even two smaller ones side by side for power and signal seperation.
If you send me a floor plan i'd be more than happy to scetch out what and were we would put things cable/plate/tv wise throughout the house for you.
Sometimes just having some different eyes look at it can spark different ideas.
V.
If you send me a floor plan i'd be more than happy to scetch out what and were we would put things cable/plate/tv wise throughout the house for you.
Sometimes just having some different eyes look at it can spark different ideas.
V.
VEX said:
For the tv wall point you can just bury some conduit or extractor fan ducting between the two plate points. Usually nice and wide for cable runs. Maybe even two smaller ones side by side for power and signal seperation.
If you send me a floor plan i'd be more than happy to scetch out what and were we would put things cable/plate/tv wise throughout the house for you.
Sometimes just having some different eyes look at it can spark different ideas.
V.
Really kind offer, thanks, but in terms of locations we’ve got it sorted.If you send me a floor plan i'd be more than happy to scetch out what and were we would put things cable/plate/tv wise throughout the house for you.
Sometimes just having some different eyes look at it can spark different ideas.
V.
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