230 V. > 110 V. -- options?

on the move · 25th July 2005, 02:32 PM

First of all I should probably say I know little to zilch about audio equipment other than using the buttons on the front panel. But maybe the answers to my question will lead me on into hitherto uncharted territory.... this certainly seems to be the forum to find people qualified to help me with my questions!

I will be moving back to Canada soon from Europe, where I've acquired some decent audio equipment. It is all 230 V., 50/60 Hz, and I am wondering whether I should sell it (and get a pittance for it basically) or keep it and try to run it through a transformer there. Or alternatively, since you seem to be able to replace everything these days with 'audiophile' components, perhaps this is the chance to also vastly improve my set-up by giving each unit a new power supply. I am thinking of taking my integrated amp, CD-player and DVD/SACD-player with me. All are past their guarantee limits, so there is nothing to lose by modifying them if this would be desirable.

Are there any characteristics about any of these components that would favour / necessitate going the sell route or the upgrade route? I imagine (not knowing much about the stuff) that I could just take my European power bar with me, plug it into a transformer there, and be able to use the equipment as I always have....

Or are there sensible (or even exotic) things that are changeable in these units that I could do/have done that would be more advantageous (or vastly better) than that solution?

I would appreciate any helpful advice (in terms that a layperson like myself can understand).

mzzj · 25th July 2005, 03:17 PM

some power supplies have internal connections for 110v or 230v operation, rather easy modification if only wiring inside case is needed to modify. Or you can have someone to replace all of your power supply transformers. Big step-up transformer for entire rack is easiest choice, I would prefer isolation type transformer

bertu · 25th July 2005, 04:01 PM

I have had the same problem some years ago. For the low-power components like CD player and tuner I bought a small step-up converter that they sell for travel. It converts about 50 watts from 110V to 230V, is quite small and inexpensive (DM 15 10 years ago, approx. 8 euro) and has been working without problems. You'd have to be careful not to exceed the maximum power, maybe buy a separate one for each component. Check the maximum power consumption in the back.

I am not sure what this approach does to the sound quality. Given the small size of these converters, they are likely switching types with the associated hash and noise in the outputs, but I haven't heard a difference with my not-high-end quality components.

Obviously, this doesn't work for high-power things like a power amp. Since I was building my own, I used a transformer with dual primaries to make it switchable. If that is not an option, you can probably get a fairly large step-up transformer, but I have no experience with that.

Good luck. Also good luck getting the stuff through security, with all those wires and weird shapes you will get some interesting looks. I have had my power amplifier opened up and checked for explosives when I moved across the pond.

- Bertu

25th July 2005, 02:32 PM	#1
on the move diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Aachen, Germany	230 V. > 110 V. -- options? First of all I should probably say I know little to zilch about audio equipment other than using the buttons on the front panel. But maybe the answers to my question will lead me on into hitherto uncharted territory.... this certainly seems to be the forum to find people qualified to help me with my questions! I will be moving back to Canada soon from Europe, where I've acquired some decent audio equipment. It is all 230 V., 50/60 Hz, and I am wondering whether I should sell it (and get a pittance for it basically) or keep it and try to run it through a transformer there. Or alternatively, since you seem to be able to replace everything these days with 'audiophile' components, perhaps this is the chance to also vastly improve my set-up by giving each unit a new power supply. I am thinking of taking my integrated amp, CD-player and DVD/SACD-player with me. All are past their guarantee limits, so there is nothing to lose by modifying them if this would be desirable. Are there any characteristics about any of these components that would favour / necessitate going the sell route or the upgrade route? I imagine (not knowing much about the stuff) that I could just take my European power bar with me, plug it into a transformer there, and be able to use the equipment as I always have.... Or are there sensible (or even exotic) things that are changeable in these units that I could do/have done that would be more advantageous (or vastly better) than that solution? I would appreciate any helpful advice (in terms that a layperson like myself can understand).

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PMD-100 options?	Skorpio	Digital Source	12	15th May 2009 08:00 AM
CCS Kit options	eeyore	Tubes / Valves	19	18th April 2009 03:29 PM
CD Options?	renfrey	Digital Source	1	5th March 2007 08:18 PM
Regulation options for 807 g2	illuwatar	Tubes / Valves	13	31st August 2004 04:33 PM
Any Bi-Amp options?	chris ma	Everything Else	3	10th May 2002 10:02 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

25th July 2005, 03:17 PM	#2
mzzj diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 65N 25E	some power supplies have internal connections for 110v or 230v operation, rather easy modification if only wiring inside case is needed to modify. Or you can have someone to replace all of your power supply transformers. Big step-up transformer for entire rack is easiest choice, I would prefer isolation type transformer

25th July 2005, 04:01 PM	#3
bertu diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: midwest	I have had the same problem some years ago. For the low-power components like CD player and tuner I bought a small step-up converter that they sell for travel. It converts about 50 watts from 110V to 230V, is quite small and inexpensive (DM 15 10 years ago, approx. 8 euro) and has been working without problems. You'd have to be careful not to exceed the maximum power, maybe buy a separate one for each component. Check the maximum power consumption in the back. I am not sure what this approach does to the sound quality. Given the small size of these converters, they are likely switching types with the associated hash and noise in the outputs, but I haven't heard a difference with my not-high-end quality components. Obviously, this doesn't work for high-power things like a power amp. Since I was building my own, I used a transformer with dual primaries to make it switchable. If that is not an option, you can probably get a fairly large step-up transformer, but I have no experience with that. Good luck. Also good luck getting the stuff through security, with all those wires and weird shapes you will get some interesting looks. I have had my power amplifier opened up and checked for explosives when I moved across the pond. - Bertu