If you purchase a piece of audio equipment that's not the same voltage as your country's, what affect does a step down transformer have on the sound quality?
I can't thank you enough for this one, I'm moving from the US to South East Asia and mulled over the pros/cons of selling my setup and trying to find new equipment there or shipping it over with my vinyl collection. Took your advice and figured out how to change mine over. Thanks Paul!
By the way .... stepping down the mains voltage will NOT degrade the sound quality ! Only an underrated step down transformer will like Paul was explaining
One Important Caution: NEVER use the compact "foreign voltage converter" devices with audio gear! They are thyristor-based and are only suitable for devices like hair dryers, incandescent light bulbs and shavers which only care about getting a reasonable average voltage and do not care what the peak voltage or waveform is. Always make sure you are using an actual transformer, i.e., it should be large, heavy, with lots of iron inside. I recommend one that has a VA rating that is about 2x the amplifier's rated power draw.
Yea, I think those are just a simple diode. Just like those cheap hi/lo light dimmers. Just a diode to crudely half the average power by lopping off half the sine wave. Along this same idea keep in mind that many modern travel adapter kits are just basic plug converters. They do not change the voltage at all. They effectively just change the plug type. With modern switch mode power supplies like phone chargers and tablets, that's fine. But beware that seemingly 120v output receptacle is now at 240v when the unit is plugged into a 240v foreign outlet.
@@andydelle4509 They're not simply diodes, but triac devices triggered via a delay circuit so that they turn on just past the peak of the AC cycle. That reduces the duty cycle to 50%, and the average voltage by the same factor, but the peak voltage is very high. Some designs have an amplitude-dependent delay so they provide some degree of compensation for changes in input voltage. With any load that has a rectifier/capacitor circuit in its power supply, the caps will charge according to the excessive peak voltage, wreaking havoc.
@@marianneoelund2940 My parents had one in the late 1960s. From Sears if that matters. It was a silicon diode period - I took it apart! There may have been thyristor units as well. But think about it - either chop the sine wave at 50% duty cycle or just lop off half the waveform is the same thing to a resistive load. And as for peak voltage, these devices were sold for pure resistive loads. Where is the peak voltage without significant load capacitance / inductance?
@@andydelle4509 That's news to me. The only simple rectifier application I've seen is those disc diodes to put under incandescent lamp bases to reduce their brightness and extend life. Ah, the things we used to do . . .
You are so right, I purchased 2 voltage converters from eBay and they were the small type and as you said they were crap and I ended up paying much more for a decent one in the end.
the winding on the transformator is different on 110v than 220 v. On low power consuming products, this is not so big of an issue. But power amps it is an issue. Still most decent transformators have dual windings. some even quadro wingings. So they can handel both 50 and 60 Hz And both 110 and 220 volt. But you have to change the connections to the right windings.
I remember in the 80s, Krell got so pissed off with transhipping, that they made power supplies which would lock down if presented with the wrong AC frequency. They also used different color circuit boards for each market, green in North America, blue in Europe, red in Asia, etc.
Paul, here's a product modification idea for you. Make an alternate model of your Power Plant that can do voltage conversions. 120 to 240, 240 to 120, and 100v option for Japan. A one-does-all might be difficult but you could make it modular to set the conversion by swapping out internal modules and the transformer. And you can also do frequency conversion 50/60hz very easily with your Power Plant topology.
Note that there are two types of step down/up transformers. True isolated transformers and single winding auto transformers. I would go with an auto transformer. They are cheaper and have better surge ratings than an isolation type. You don't need to isolate the line for safety as the gear's internal power supply effectively does that. The drawback is that auto transformers are far less effective at filtering line noise - if you have that problem.
I have been in the process of buying a high quality US made turntable to bring to the UK , but I’m having second thoughts now when i hear so much contradictory and confusing information about needing to convert the power supply via a step down transformer , but this is t good enough ,I also need a new pulley , or perhaps a “ sine wave inverter “ or perhaps even a totally new motor .it is an A.C. motor , USA power spec and I need a UK spec . Now I hear I need such a ‘ massive ‘ step down transformer to cope ! Or need to change the ‘ windings’ to change the voltage ! And I thought I just needed a new,plug , I may give up . It all seems a bit over complicated and daunting to someone who has , for personal reasons , avoided any messing with electricity supplies.
A good alternative worth checking out would be to have 220/240 volt outlet installed. Depending where a nearby other high voltage appliance may be in use, such as electric ranges or clothe dryers Benin use, the cost of professional outlet installation may be competitive in cost of suitable step down transformers.
Hello Paul. Leo from Madrid here. On the subject... It puzzles me some equipment have a voltage switch built in and whatever transformer they use doesn't seem to take much space, yet some of the commercially available (voltage) transformers I'm looking at (I'm moving all my hifi equipment from Europe to America very soon) are HUGE. Is there a "secret" technology owned by these companies that allows them to fit their units with such reliable/convenient teenie-weenie adapters/transformers? Thanks Paul
You may not have to use a stepdown transformer for the power amp, depending on your power amplifier. In the case of the Crown XLS power amp I have for example, you can set the voltage on the back of the amp is it can handle any power in any country from 100V to 240V and the frequency doesnt matter. The nominal power that the amp will draw should be stated on any amp or device so if you dont have an easily reconfigured device you can use that as your guide to the power needed for a step down. Don't listen to the 10x advice as it will definitely cause you to do an overkill and spend way too much money. You just need to have enough capability for the average power draw which is MUCH less than the power rating of an amplifier.
Crown XLS does not have a "setting" on the back for mains voltage. That is just an indicator to show what the factory set the power supply up for. Changing it from 120V to 240V compatibility requires modifications on the PS board: mnats.net/XLS1500.html I agree Paul's 10x suggestion is ridiculous, but considering that most audio amplifiers draw current in rather narrow high-peak pulses, using an external transformer with double the VA rating is a good idea - if it turns out to be required (hopefully the internal transformer has dual primaries that can be reconfigured). With regard to your suggestion of "just enough capability for the average power draw," I presume you weren't serious?
@@marianneoelund2940 Well I stand corrected, from the photo appearance it looked like there was a simple change of a plastic plug. It requires the change of a resistor and clipping a jumper, most audiophiles arent going to be able to do that change but it can be done pretty easily by an electronics tech or engineer. Linear devices usually have dual primaries for rewiring to the appropriate voltage though and one must not forget to change the MOV varistor when increasing the mains voltage. Anyway, if one were to need a stepdown transformer, I would check to see what the the power requirement is that should be stated on the devices to be powered and use at least that much of a VA rated stepdown transformer. Barring available power requirement info, I would calculate the worst case power demand for an amplifier playing the worst case compressed music at a worst case listening level where the music peaks started clipping the amplifier. For example, for a two channel linear amplifier rated at 100wpc, each channel might need around 6dB less than the maximum peak level of 100 watts or 25 watts then apply a 50% efficiency factor so now we're at 50wpc. Times two for stereo gives us 100 watts total maximum average demand, headroom and peak power will be handled by the filter capacitors. The other thing about moving to a different country could be the power line frequency, and like Mark said elsewhere here if they are using a turntable with a synchronous motor, they will need to change the motor pulley to a larger diameter one and possibly a belt also.
I just modified a direct stream junior transformer wiring to handle 230V natively, formthenfirst two years Unused a step down transformer (with a nominal power of 100W) so I can do a perfect comparison. Compared with the new would coming out of the DSJ, the previous (the one using the transformer) now seems like anemic. The change is similar to the one I had changing to better speaker, or when Inadded a subwoofer, the sound comes across fuller, male voices eem to have an additional octave down component. Moreover the sound coming out of the speaker seems generally more "effortless", like if the DSJ, before the change, was power starved. I would say,mod jot use a step down transformer, change the transformer wiring.
A big thanks for you honesty Paul. l think PS equipment is competitively priced in Europe . Others not so... Accuphase is a prime example of over pricing asking for double the US prices. It's ok supporting the importers extra costs but asking $20,000 for the same product retailing for $10,000 in the US is simply out of order. They make great products but sadly the crazy pricing puts their products up against totally different competition. There for its difficult to trust reviews from different continents especially when there comparing similar priced products.
Howdy. It is not recommended to run a 60 Hz transformer on 50 Hz. The iron will most likely go into heavy saturation. That in turn means a lot of the flux will escape from the iron and this escape flux could induce hum and buzzing in nearby wiring. Also there is a very real possibility of a thermal burnout as the primary current avalanches during saturation. During saturation there is less induction emf present. The other way around is not as problematic. The disadvantage is that the winding impedances are higher than need be. There is 60 Hz / 50 Hz = 1,2 times turns per volt than what is needed. That is to say there is 20 % too much winding. Regards.
That isnt a problem for Class D amplifiers that use switching power supplies. For linear supplies and linear amplifiers, the power transformer core likely will not get saturated because the heavy current peaks will be supplied by the filter capacitors. I'm not saying that it couldn't happen, but equipment manufacturers should take this into account when specifying the power transformer so that it can be used worldwide.
@@StewartMarkley Howdy. Yes. You are correct. Except one point. The load current does not affect magnetization. The magnetization follows the formula e = - n * d(theta)/dt. In English: The magnetization is proportional to voltage and inverting proportional to frequency. Regards.
@@eugenepohjola258 Load current certainly does affect core saturation. I've done many load tests of SMPS that clearly show core saturation as the load is increased to the limit.
Switching between these transformer windings is only an option for linear power supplies. Switch mode power supplies have an input rectifier that needs to be at the correct voltage rating and frequency.
@@StewartMarkley Not all are universal input voltage, especially older units like from the 80s/90s. Some have a switch, some have an internal jumper. Best to check the label first.
@@StewartMarkley Not necessarily. Most of the times European models of a product are universal 100 - 250V 50/60Hz, but the American and Asian variant isn't. An example of this is my Technics SL-1200G, which is the European model because I live in Europe, so it's 100 - 250V 50/60Hz. But there's also a 120V American variant and 100V Japanese variant.
@@andydelle4509 The units with a switch to change the power rating are linear power supplies. What the switch does, is adding or removing a second winding/segment on the primary side of the transformer. That way the primary coil of the transformer is either connected with one segment of 120V or two segments of 120V, which makes 120V x 2 = 240V input. Because of the components that are behind the secondary coil, like power regulators, the frequency (50/60Hz) of the power grid isn't of any significance to it's functioning.
@@QoraxAudio Plenty of switch mode power supplies have input voltage switches or internal jumpers. Especially older units. The switch typically switched the rectifier from a voltage doubler to a direct half/full wave configuration. Here an example on a PC power supply: www.lifewire.com/power-supply-voltage-switch-2625973 On a linear power supply the switch does not typically add or remove winding's. That would cut the transformer wattage capacity in half with a primary winding removed on the lower voltage setting. The switch on a linear supply puts the two primary winding's in parallel for low (120v) voltage and series for high (240v) voltage.
i am using a step down transformer for my genelec speakers in USA. They are 80 VA each and i am using a 300 watts transformer to make it 220 from 110v. I think this i not a good combo. Any suggestion guys?
hey paul how are you? kindly please answer my question, i have integrated amplifier and when i connected it to preamp the sound is more powerful , is that okay, what is your thought about that? tnx
My 5 kva transformer works for me with the accompanying buzz. I put it behind the wall and I still hear it with no music playing, not a problem for me. I use the 250 volts for the amps and preamp with the 125 volt leg for source components. I think I gain from the common mode noise rejection and I float ground except for the preamp so I have single point.
I have an 1800W step down for a system that draws around 500W Max. ACUPWR seems to make some real nice transformers. It's pretty large and hefty lol. I don't think there's any loss of sound quality from what I can tell...
Somehow I have lost the ability to hear imaging since three days ago. I did hearing test to find out my hearing is normal. But I do have a little allergy in my throat. Have you guys ever experienced such problem? Everything sounds dry and muddy to my ears now.
So I bought a Harley Benton tube15 amp From Germany and I’m here in the US I got a step up converter that handles up to 100 watts for 15 W amp and there’s a distinct humming noise how do I resolve that?
@@jamesplotkin4674 My first summer after high school, I worked as a maintenance tech for the local power utility. I worked on live wiring many times, such as changing lighting ballasts in the office areas. Of course it was only 120V. With regard to rewiring the amp, it's not likely to be plugged in before the mod is started, as it can't run on 240V yet.
@@StewartMarkley Well, no one can accuse you of being a pyromaniac. I can't say the same about some of the friends I had in junior high and high school, who wouldn't hesitate to try anything that might produce smoke.
Paul most of those distributors apply outrageous price policies . I suppose most of them, makes double or even triple the profit you make just by reselling youre products. At least this is the case where I live (Turkey) . Of course they re supposed to make a profit, but it cannot be justified by any means selling a product 3 times more expensive then the US. Especially considering the fact that average income here is less then 1/3 of the US! So given the chance, I d always buy from U.S...
Do the small DC to DC DROK type adjustable Buck step down converters produce much audio noise? I will be using 12 volt battery input and powering a 6 volt portable short wave radio. I hope you will answer my questions. If this could add audio noise, could you suggest a simple remedy? Thanks
Greetings from Honduras, Central America, I have a turntable purchased in Japan, the turntable is 100V, here in Honduras we use 110V, is any problem if I use the turntable with 110V? Best regards. Denis
Hi, enjoy your work. Is there any thing I can do to correct arc communication between avr and tv? Have to power cycle everyday to get picture, and control avr volume with xfinity remote. Using a marantz avr 5014. Seems problem plague many?
i've had some experience with step down transformer's for Europe to Japan current of a 230 V to 100 V Japan... after having and trying several different ones...the best ones i found that you can get for Hifi that are also silent is a toroidal transformer.. there is a place called Airlink Transformers in the UK...and the prices are better than the inferior ones from China or Japan...those, I seriously felt I was living next to an electric plant were emitting emf that I could here a noise coming from them...they will tell you that is normal😂...not for me!
I want to buy a stereo receiver from Europe that is 220 volts, and I want to change the power supply on the unit to 110-115 volts to play it in Canada. Is that doable? Alternatively, I also have a disconnected 220 volt baseboard heater outlet close by that I can connect to, and run the unit on 220 volts.
Doablle? Don't you mean double! Next you will be trying to teach people how to write tere, their , they're, they've inn å foreign language. Din jævla kuk.
To answer you question. Europe uses 220/240v. Just buy a separate step down transformer power suply . If you're smart which l doubt, most manufactures use standard transformers that offer many voltage outputs to save production costs. A quick internal wire swap would solve your problem for free.
True audiophiles care about the quality of the grid step down transformer and make sure their house is not too far away from a proper stable power plant (nuclear power rather than wind)...just kidding...happy birthday to Paul!
I was rather pleased that when our neighborhood's utility transformer failed last year, the linemen replaced it with a larger unit - 37KVA instead of 25KVA.
ThinkLearnSolve Yes, rather than moving to a house with a nearby nuclear power plant with audiophile grade utility transformers and audiophile house wiring, it’s better to just buy gear that was engineered with proper power supply inside of it to begin with 🤓
I have a tube tester and im wondering if i could get away with a step down transformer im thinking about using an inverter to do the job instead but if i could use transformer i would save money.
I was sorta wondering about this - getting an Amp direct from Japan ( Marantz, just for the Silver front they somehow refuse to import). and get a transformer to adopt. decided it was a nut job idea.
I have an 1800W step down for a system that draws around 500W Max. ACUPWR seems to make some real nice transformers. It's pretty large and hefty lol. I don't think there's any loss of sound quality from what I can tell...
Step up /step down transformers are Much too big, Much too heavy, and Much too costly for what they do. I would strongly prefer to buy equipment that has a multi-voltage power supply built into it.
The problem with your distributors is that most of them do not carry inventory. Try to organize a demo of anything if you can. Most of your sale points just order when you, the customer, are willing to make an order with a down payment. In other words the additional money spent ( on average 50% more of the dollar figure made Euro figure) is spent so that a guy who has the money from the customer, can go on the internet and fill a form. Sorry Paul, that is not worth it several thousand dollars (euros) of difference. You are aabout to start selling speakers. Try to mandate your "distributors" to carry some inventory for demos and see how many are willing to play ball. Till then they are just a useless and pricey middle man who overstayed their welcome or usefulness.
Wow, no talk about impedance, running at incorrect frequency can also cause problems, then 10x the size ??? C'mon .... This wasn't a well thought out answer... unless I've just had too many Stella's ..cheers
