Hello,
I moved to a country with 240v 50Hz so my NAD C352 originally built for 120v 60Hz need to be converted to be used without step down transformer.
I am wondering if it is possible to convert to 240v 50Hz by simply replacing suitable toroidal transformer. The transformer itself does not have any sticker indicating voltage rating but NAD logo on top only.
When I read service manual, the part number are two (one is C and the other is AH version, not sure what the differences are).
Can any one enlighten me if it can be done by replacing transformer or it is a lot more than that? (hope it is simple swap).
If it can be done, then which transformer do I need to get?
To save time, I attached service manual for reference too.
Thank you so much and any help would be hugely appreciated.
I moved to a country with 240v 50Hz so my NAD C352 originally built for 120v 60Hz need to be converted to be used without step down transformer.
I am wondering if it is possible to convert to 240v 50Hz by simply replacing suitable toroidal transformer. The transformer itself does not have any sticker indicating voltage rating but NAD logo on top only.
When I read service manual, the part number are two (one is C and the other is AH version, not sure what the differences are).
Can any one enlighten me if it can be done by replacing transformer or it is a lot more than that? (hope it is simple swap).
If it can be done, then which transformer do I need to get?
To save time, I attached service manual for reference too.
Thank you so much and any help would be hugely appreciated.
You get conversion transformers, pretty common, and less hassle than opening it up.
Ask at places who sell to visitors, for example Jackson Heights in Queens, NY had shops selling 220V appliances and converters, as a lot of Indian visitors used to buy there.
Or, find another unit for sale locally, buy that.
Or work out the VA and secondary voltages, get a new transformer from sources which are reliable, with low shipping costs.
The last option is the difficult one.
I bought many amps in the local flea market, and maybe you could find one for sale, look around.
Personally, external transformer is the best option, hard wire it, a friend had kids who plugged in a Sony amp intended for 110 into 220, it blew up. So make sure it stays permanently connected to the right place.
Ask at places who sell to visitors, for example Jackson Heights in Queens, NY had shops selling 220V appliances and converters, as a lot of Indian visitors used to buy there.
Or, find another unit for sale locally, buy that.
Or work out the VA and secondary voltages, get a new transformer from sources which are reliable, with low shipping costs.
The last option is the difficult one.
I bought many amps in the local flea market, and maybe you could find one for sale, look around.
Personally, external transformer is the best option, hard wire it, a friend had kids who plugged in a Sony amp intended for 110 into 220, it blew up. So make sure it stays permanently connected to the right place.
I believe AH is for 120V north America model. You need a "C" transformer and also need to disconnect jumper J402 and connect J401 for "C" version on the standby transformer primary winding.
BTW, you can ask NAD support for help:
https://support.nadelectronics.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
BTW, you can ask NAD support for help:
https://support.nadelectronics.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Thank you very much for the info.
Last time I contacted NAD for another product, was told to contact local distributor and local distributor charge heavy fees for anything that is outside warranty or outside norm hence trying to do it myself if it is possible.
Do you happen to know what the secondary output voltage the transformer needs to be? I guess that I can measure it on existing transformer and wondering if service manual states the Sec voltage which I could not figure out with my novice eye...
Thanks for suggestion, Naresh.
If I cannot figure out replacing transformer, I would just get a quality step down transformer and be done with it.
Just to double check... is 100W S/D transformer big enough for this case or need to get 300W or more?
I am a bit reluctant the idea of using step down transformer because I heard "Using a step-down transformer is usually not a good idea - it hampers the dynamic range." Is this really true?
There are multiple step-down transformers between the steam-boiler turbine alternator and your house.
This is a two channel 80W per channel amp. Allowing for amp efficiency this is certainly 300 VA from the wall at full roar test-tones. Nevermind any "I heard", I would prefer to use a 500VA step-down for low loss and sag. (Maybe those "I heard" opinions were people using 50VA stepdowns on 200 Watt amps?)
This is a two channel 80W per channel amp. Allowing for amp efficiency this is certainly 300 VA from the wall at full roar test-tones. Nevermind any "I heard", I would prefer to use a 500VA step-down for low loss and sag. (Maybe those "I heard" opinions were people using 50VA stepdowns on 200 Watt amps?)
Absolute simplest would be to first check what exact version you have. I have encountered countless devices here that were easily convertible to 115V while I am living in a 230V country.
In other words: find out if you have either a 230/115V model or a 115V only model. If the toroid has 3 primary wires you may be lucky.
Replacing the toroid, using a step-down transformer etc. while the device is built in 2003... Maybe it is then time for something new?!
In other words: find out if you have either a 230/115V model or a 115V only model. If the toroid has 3 primary wires you may be lucky.
Replacing the toroid, using a step-down transformer etc. while the device is built in 2003... Maybe it is then time for something new?!
Last edited:
I really hoped it has 3 primary wires so can be converted to 230v easily but it only has 2 primary and 5 secondary wires when I open the lid. Here is the photo.
Attachments
500VA is a standard ready size, and allows room for sudden loud passages.
Price difference and size difference will be negligible, go for the bigger one.
Provided, as Jean-Paul says, you feel it is worth keeping.
I bought amps here at the flea market for $2 each, so that is also viable.
Brand new Mosfet amps, 60W per channel, are about $60 and up here...with a built in FM/USB/Bluetooth module, so can be used for playing tracks off your phone, for example.
I have no idea about the quality or worth of NAD, seems to have sold mostly in UK and North America.
Price difference and size difference will be negligible, go for the bigger one.
Provided, as Jean-Paul says, you feel it is worth keeping.
I bought amps here at the flea market for $2 each, so that is also viable.
Brand new Mosfet amps, 60W per channel, are about $60 and up here...with a built in FM/USB/Bluetooth module, so can be used for playing tracks off your phone, for example.
I have no idea about the quality or worth of NAD, seems to have sold mostly in UK and North America.
OUTput. The amplifier is not 100% efficient. 78% in the theory book, but 50% in many real-life cases. So that's 320Watts. The AC/DC conversion is not perfect either.
Power demand drops with loudness (not linearly).
If you will only ever play very soft, 300VA may be OK. If you might turn it up, be generous.