Running a 220v cd player on 110v

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Help,
My brother sent me a chinese cd player that looks terrific, trouble is that its 220v.
I know I can get a step up transformer for 20 bucks or something.. but wont this sound like crap?

What will the effect be?


If there is an effect,

is there a better long term solution to make this device fully 110v?

Are there any audiophile or DIY solutions? plans? pictures? to build a step up converter?

thanks!
 
ark said:
Help,
My brother sent me a chinese cd player that looks terrific, trouble is that its 220v.
I know I can get a step up transformer for 20 bucks or something.. but wont this sound like crap?

What will the effect be?


If there is an effect,

is there a better long term solution to make this device fully 110v?

Are there any audiophile or DIY solutions? plans? pictures? to build a step up converter?

It will make no audible difference (or measureable difference) - don't worry about it! - buy an auto-transformer.
 
A transformer isn't magical, it transforms both voltage and current, if the voltage goes UP, the current goes DOWN, and if the voltage goes DOWN the current goes UP - plus you make a certain amount of loss, but transformers are one of the most efficient devices available.

So assuming the amp takes 1A at 220V, with a transformer feeding it, it will take 2A at 110V - actually slightly more due to losses, but small enough to ignore.

This would be exactly the same if you replaced the original transformer with a 110V version as well, except you wouldn't get the extra slight loss in the second transformer.
 
ark said:
thanks. will a relatively cheap step up transformer introduce additional noise thought when its pulling 500 v thru? or would it actually be cleaner than current coming right out of the wall anyway.. ?

You normally use a simple (and cheap) auto-transformer, these are just one tapped winding, so don't provide isolation. I've never had any problems with them, and I've provided customers with them many times over the years - you wouldn't believe how many people buy 110V (or NTSC) equipment in the USA on holiday 😎
 
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