Can a large appliance draw power from other devices; especially ones that have capacitors.?

Question

Specifically when my AC kicks on my audio amplifier "dims" in volume. The audio "dimming" is just as fast as the light flicker which I would expect. However if I were to normally unplug the amplifier with signal running the fade time is much longer; (as the caps loose all new energy amp fades out). So I feel that the AC unit is stealing power out of my vintage McIntosh amplifier.

Answer 1

All that's happening is, when the AC starts, it requires a large amount of power until it gets going. As your power supply is not unlimited, it causes a momentary drop in the line, so that your lights and other appliances are affected! It is not stealing power from your amplifier as such, it is just at one instant there's not enough to go around!