| Author |
Message |
Hackneyslim
Username: Hackneyslim
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 4:37 pm: | |
Hi
A question - has anyone any experience of using US-voltage equipment in Europe, or indeed any equipment at its non-original voltage through a transformer?
I am thinking of maybe getting a Roland VG thing in the US on my upcoming trip (wooo-haaa) because the used prices don't compare, but I am concerned that I will get it back to the old continent and it will melt or something.
h |
Drfene
Username: Drfene
Registered: 2-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 4:41 pm: | |
The item will be fine with a transformer. I have used them many times on effects to amps, just make sure you get one that will cope.
Whee in the States are you going? |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 11:59 pm: | |
For those of you in Europe thinking of buying a USA built amp. I have a number of vintage and boutique amps built in the USA. As long as you run it with at least a 500w step down transformer then you shouldn't have any problems. Be sure to get the amp/equipment serviced first as soon as you purchase.
I would never swap a amps 110v output transformer to a 240v. To my ears they run nicer and sound sweeter than their eqivalent 240v models. Think about it. They were designed to run off 110v
six |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 4:41 am: | |
Six,
Joking???
Juha  |
Hackneyslim
Username: Hackneyslim
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 11:28 am: | |
Drfene
DC & NYC.
I think DC has a huge store somewhere? Chuck Levin's?
h |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 5:30 pm: | |
Talajuha
Do what?
six |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 4:29 am: | |
Output transformer <-> amp's power suply's (AC/DC transformer) input voltage (240/120 V)
How are they connected?
As far as I know output transformer fits tubes'/valves' high impedance (kohms) in with speakers' low impedance (ohms, usually 4 to 8), and the only current/voltage it deals with is the signal coming from the amp tubes and going to the speaker(s). Have I learned something wrong?
Juha |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 7:10 am: | |
Yeah....I see. Sorry you are correct. That's what happens when you stay up late in Australia and talk with the rest of the world who have just woke up. 
six |
Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 10:43 am: | |
The actual European harmonised voltage is 230 Volts now. The frequency is 50 Hz.
Some countries had to increase their mains voltage, others had to decrease it.
The USA frequency is 60 Hz.
This is the reason that USA electrical clocks run 1/6 slower in Europe, when you transform the voltage. So you loose 10 minutes per hour.
So when the frequency plays a role in the equipment, this may cause complications.
Why am I mentioning this? Because of the remark about sound differences. I always want to know why. Could the mains frequency play a role here?
Ginger |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, March 04, 2007 - 1:07 pm: | |
Guitar amps have AC/DC transformers and their internal voltage used to amplify is DC (direct current). Only internal AC (alternating current) is the signal from guitar to speaker that is amplified. So, it is not likely that the frequency of the input AC of the AC/DC transformer has an effect on the sound.
More about guitar amps and further links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_amp
Juha |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 6:10 am: | |
You're entitled to your opinion.
six |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 8:21 am: | |
That was cold physics. If you want to split hairs you might want to examine how "good" direct current an AC/DC transformer produces and how it could effect the sound. There could be difference between the results from 60Hz and 50Hz sources.
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectifier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer
Juha |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 9:15 pm: | |
That makes sense
six |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 5:20 am: | |
To be sure you need 110V/60Hz amp's and step down transformer's full specs or you have to measure 110V/60Hz amp's AC/DC transformer's output with and without a step down transformer to see if there are differences. And/or same amp model with its own 110V and 230V power suplies. I didn't find any info of step down transformers converting the frequency, only some warnings of difficulties caused by the frequency difference.
Then there is the question of solid state and tube/valve amps. Tubes/valves need high voltage DC (e.g. 400V) and solid state amps use ca 30V to 60V, digital effects 5V or less. Does this cause different requirements for AC/DC transformers?
Juha |
Talajuha
Username: Talajuha
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 11:34 am: | |
Multirectifier amps e.g.
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/Guitar-TripleRec to/Guitar-TripleRecto.htm
Back to the original topic:
It looks like using US 110V amp with step down transformer (in Europe) could make the amp sound different from direct 110V usage. But who knows if it sounds better or worse and how significant the difference is?
Juha |
Sixvsix
Username: Sixvsix
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2007 - 2:12 am: | |
Here in Australia, they are on 60Hz. My 110V models run fine on the step downs. The 240V 50Hz amps I brought with me from the UK seem to run a little hotter with a tiny amount of hum. I've had then checked out but all seems well. This is probably due to the 10Hz difference.
six |