Electrical question
#1
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Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 214
Electrical question
Now Mr Jazz is going to be really, really sad to leave his turntable, CD, amplifier, and all that jazz behind when we move to the US in a couple of months.
Secretly, I'm really, really pleased because it takes up so much space, along with his speakers, and the wires drive me nuts.
However, he tells me that wireless sound quality simply doesn't cut the mustard.
Now he's talking about using transformers and taking them with us.
So my question is, is this a possibility? Can he use transformers for all the stuff and therefore bring it with us?
I am asking this as an electrical dunce . He's been trying to explain but I would like another opinion.
Secretly, I'm really, really pleased because it takes up so much space, along with his speakers, and the wires drive me nuts.
However, he tells me that wireless sound quality simply doesn't cut the mustard.
Now he's talking about using transformers and taking them with us.
So my question is, is this a possibility? Can he use transformers for all the stuff and therefore bring it with us?
I am asking this as an electrical dunce . He's been trying to explain but I would like another opinion.
#2
Re: Electrical question
Yes he can. Step-up transformers are available and he could bring everything with him - sorry to disappoint.
If he's that much of a purist, he'd be much happier doing that than to build a new system here. I used to house-share with a purist, so I know what you mean. My roommate took his amplifier, speakers and complete vinyl collection to the other side of London, where the shop set it all up in a mock-up of his living room, all to help him choose a high-end turntable which cost something like $1200, 25 years ago!
If he's that much of a purist, he'd be much happier doing that than to build a new system here. I used to house-share with a purist, so I know what you mean. My roommate took his amplifier, speakers and complete vinyl collection to the other side of London, where the shop set it all up in a mock-up of his living room, all to help him choose a high-end turntable which cost something like $1200, 25 years ago!
#3
Re: Electrical question
Yes, it will all work, and I did it myself as I had hifi components that were good enough to not want to replace.
He should look for a "smoothing transformer", as that will remove the noise that is present in US mains. He should then use a British power strip, so one transformer will run everything. The transformer should also have substantial overcapacity so as not to limit the power to the amplifier - I think mine is a 1Kw transformer even though on paper only about 300w would be sufficient for all my hifi components running simultaneously.
There can be issues with insurance if you use a transformer, i.e. if your home burns down your claim may be denied. So your husband should be sure that he always unplug his transformer when he isn't actually listening to his hifi.
He should look for a "smoothing transformer", as that will remove the noise that is present in US mains. He should then use a British power strip, so one transformer will run everything. The transformer should also have substantial overcapacity so as not to limit the power to the amplifier - I think mine is a 1Kw transformer even though on paper only about 300w would be sufficient for all my hifi components running simultaneously.
There can be issues with insurance if you use a transformer, i.e. if your home burns down your claim may be denied. So your husband should be sure that he always unplug his transformer when he isn't actually listening to his hifi.
#4
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 211
Re: Electrical question
Or you could try to convince him that the supposed superior quality of 'high end' / 'audiophile' components is mostly a psychological chimera. In double-blind tests people can't tell the difference between a $300 amplifier and a $3000 amplifier.
#5
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Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,057
Re: Electrical question
While most electrical should be fine using a step-up transformer, be aware that the US runs on 60Hz vs 50Hz in the UK. This can be a problem with motors in particular running at a different speed. This may affect the turntable causing it to run at the wrong speed. You'll be listening to the munchkins.
Last edited by chawkins99; Jun 4th 2017 at 10:52 pm. Reason: should be step-up not step-down
#6
Re: Electrical question
While most electrical should be fine using a step-up transformer, be aware that the US runs on 60Hz vs 50Hz in the UK. This can be a problem with motors in particular running at a different speed. This may affect the turntable causing it to run at the wrong speed. You'll be listening to the munchkins.
#7
Re: Electrical question
(in general), but several of our members with much more knowledge about electrical engineering than most of us, have asserted that most motors do not spin at a different speed as a function of mains frequency. I do not know how this might apply to a hi-fi turntable as I have never unboxed mine to give it a try. If and when I do so I would be happy to report back.
#8
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Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Electrical question
Now Mr Jazz is going to be really, really sad to leave his turntable, CD, amplifier, and all that jazz behind when we move to the US in a couple of months.
Secretly, I'm really, really pleased because it takes up so much space, along with his speakers, and the wires drive me nuts.
However, he tells me that wireless sound quality simply doesn't cut the mustard.
Now he's talking about using transformers and taking them with us.
So my question is, is this a possibility? Can he use transformers for all the stuff and therefore bring it with us?
I am asking this as an electrical dunce . He's been trying to explain but I would like another opinion.
Secretly, I'm really, really pleased because it takes up so much space, along with his speakers, and the wires drive me nuts.
However, he tells me that wireless sound quality simply doesn't cut the mustard.
Now he's talking about using transformers and taking them with us.
So my question is, is this a possibility? Can he use transformers for all the stuff and therefore bring it with us?
I am asking this as an electrical dunce . He's been trying to explain but I would like another opinion.
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,057
Re: Electrical question
25 years ago there were plenty of decent hifi shops and a few excellent hifi shops. They are few and far between these days. Most have been put out of business by the likes of Best Buy, Walmart and Amazon.
#10
Re: Electrical question
A lot of electronics/ power supplies these days work on 100-250v, so if may be only the power cord that needs swapping anyway.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 5th 2017 at 12:24 pm.
#11
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Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Electrical question
I actually did this in England before having them shipped. There are still quite a few decent HiFi stores over there. I guess it will be dependent on the turntable and amp itself whether or not they are easy to convert. Neither of mine were a problem.
#12
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Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Electrical question
I think this was the case with the amp back then. Turntable was not so easy. I think i may even have had the manufacturer do it for me. Didn't cost much if I recall.
#13
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Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Electrical question
I have a high end amplifier sitting between my 3D BluRay player and 3D television... and a 7.1 speaker system. The amp has a USB input and I have a USB turntable, so I can listen to my vinyl collection without problems. The amp up-converts the stereo audio signal to 5.1 surround sound. Not too shabby when listening to Sgt. Pepper. Sheila says her ears bleed when I have it turned up too much! I say: "too much" is not possible!
Ian
Ian
#14
Re: Electrical question
The different frequency (50 vs 60 Hz) may or may not affect the motor speed (depends on the type of motor) but most high-end turntables from the good old days used strobe markings on the platter to help you set the correct rotary speed. Those strobe markings were designed to 'stand still' when at the correct speed in 50 Hz or 60 Hz lighting. I THINK my old turntable had both 50Hz and 60Hz markings. So the issue isn't motor based but lighting based.
As for the whole Hi Fi thing - I'm with HDWill below; I think it's largely a marketing thing and people really can't tell the difference. As a young man, I spent a bloody fortune on 'gear' and finally grew to realize it was a pain in the ass/waste of money. I also found I was 'listening for problems' rather than enjoying the underlying music ("was that a crackle? was that hiss? was that distortion?" etc). Once I finally 'broke free' from the chains of the pursuit of perfection, I found I enjoyed music a lot more
What makes me laugh the most is the respect people give to vinyl / turntables. I don't care how 'good' a vinyl pressing is, or the turntable / stylus, you can't ever get rid of scratches and dust. I used to be totally obsessive about cleaning (and keeping clean) my 'records', but there were always crackles and pops due to dust and scratches, despite my best efforts.
As for the whole Hi Fi thing - I'm with HDWill below; I think it's largely a marketing thing and people really can't tell the difference. As a young man, I spent a bloody fortune on 'gear' and finally grew to realize it was a pain in the ass/waste of money. I also found I was 'listening for problems' rather than enjoying the underlying music ("was that a crackle? was that hiss? was that distortion?" etc). Once I finally 'broke free' from the chains of the pursuit of perfection, I found I enjoyed music a lot more
What makes me laugh the most is the respect people give to vinyl / turntables. I don't care how 'good' a vinyl pressing is, or the turntable / stylus, you can't ever get rid of scratches and dust. I used to be totally obsessive about cleaning (and keeping clean) my 'records', but there were always crackles and pops due to dust and scratches, despite my best efforts.