Moving hi-fi equipment UK - US
Nov 26th 2003, 4:51 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21
Moving hi-fi equipment UK - US
This may be off topic, but I have found shipping enquiries here, so hey ho.
I have a 'decent' hi-fi, worth approx £1500. The speakers weigh 20 kilos each. What is the most sensible way to get this to the US?
My thinking is that I can take the CD player & amp as hand luggage (other than this I am travelling light). I also hear that individual airlines will do deals on additional luggage, and the rate isn't bad if you arrange it beforehand (i.e. not at check-in!). So the speakers could go this way too.
I know that UK electrical items don't work on their own in the US, but I intend using a step-up transformer (or whatever Steve in my hi-fi shop called it). Any experiences on these would be welcome.
Anyway, thanks in advance. This is the friendliest board I've posted on for a wee while.
Hoolie
I have a 'decent' hi-fi, worth approx £1500. The speakers weigh 20 kilos each. What is the most sensible way to get this to the US?
My thinking is that I can take the CD player & amp as hand luggage (other than this I am travelling light). I also hear that individual airlines will do deals on additional luggage, and the rate isn't bad if you arrange it beforehand (i.e. not at check-in!). So the speakers could go this way too.
I know that UK electrical items don't work on their own in the US, but I intend using a step-up transformer (or whatever Steve in my hi-fi shop called it). Any experiences on these would be welcome.
Anyway, thanks in advance. This is the friendliest board I've posted on for a wee while.
Hoolie
Nov 26th 2003, 6:43 am
#2
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Posts: n/a
Re: Moving hi-fi equipment UK - US
"Hoolie" <member18112@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> This may be off topic, but I have found shipping enquiries here,
> so hey ho.
> I have a 'decent' hi-fi, worth approx £1500. The speakers weigh 20 kilos
> each. What is the most sensible way to get this to the US?
> My thinking is that I can take the CD player & amp as hand luggage
> (other than this I am travelling light). I also hear that individual
> airlines will do deals on additional luggage, and the rate isn't bad if
> you arrange it beforehand (i.e. not at check-in!). So the speakers could
> go this way too.
> I know that UK electrical items don't work on their own in the US, but I
> intend using a step-up transformer (or whatever Steve in my hi-fi shop
> called it). Any experiences on these would be welcome.
Are you sure your equipment isn't switchable to 110V/60Hz?
If it isn't, a step-up transformer will probably work. However, some older
equipment uses the number of cycles of the mains to sync various internal
stuff, like the speed of the drive motors. Soooo, since a step-up
transformer leaves the frequency alone, playing a Stones tape may make Mick
Jagger sound like Britney Spears!
Try and check with the manufacturer to make sure running your equipment at
220V/60Hz instead of 50Hz won't result in funny behavior.
news:[email protected]...
> This may be off topic, but I have found shipping enquiries here,
> so hey ho.
> I have a 'decent' hi-fi, worth approx £1500. The speakers weigh 20 kilos
> each. What is the most sensible way to get this to the US?
> My thinking is that I can take the CD player & amp as hand luggage
> (other than this I am travelling light). I also hear that individual
> airlines will do deals on additional luggage, and the rate isn't bad if
> you arrange it beforehand (i.e. not at check-in!). So the speakers could
> go this way too.
> I know that UK electrical items don't work on their own in the US, but I
> intend using a step-up transformer (or whatever Steve in my hi-fi shop
> called it). Any experiences on these would be welcome.
Are you sure your equipment isn't switchable to 110V/60Hz?
If it isn't, a step-up transformer will probably work. However, some older
equipment uses the number of cycles of the mains to sync various internal
stuff, like the speed of the drive motors. Soooo, since a step-up
transformer leaves the frequency alone, playing a Stones tape may make Mick
Jagger sound like Britney Spears!
Try and check with the manufacturer to make sure running your equipment at
220V/60Hz instead of 50Hz won't result in funny behavior.
Nov 26th 2003, 9:23 am
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21
Re: Moving hi-fi equipment UK - US
It is all fairly new - an Arcam Alpha cd player bought in 2001 and a Cyrus 5 Amp bought the same year. Neither has a voltage switch on the back. It would be a real shame to have to replace either, although I presume that the speakers will work anywhere...
Thanks for the advice. If Mick becomes Britney, who do you reckon Bob D becomes?
Thanks for the advice. If Mick becomes Britney, who do you reckon Bob D becomes?
Originally posted by Jozef
"Hoolie" <member18112@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> This may be off topic, but I have found shipping enquiries here,
> so hey ho.
> I have a 'decent' hi-fi, worth approx £1500. The speakers weigh 20 kilos
> each. What is the most sensible way to get this to the US?
> My thinking is that I can take the CD player & amp as hand luggage
> (other than this I am travelling light). I also hear that individual
> airlines will do deals on additional luggage, and the rate isn't bad if
> you arrange it beforehand (i.e. not at check-in!). So the speakers could
> go this way too.
> I know that UK electrical items don't work on their own in the US, but I
> intend using a step-up transformer (or whatever Steve in my hi-fi shop
> called it). Any experiences on these would be welcome.
Are you sure your equipment isn't switchable to 110V/60Hz?
If it isn't, a step-up transformer will probably work. However, some older
equipment uses the number of cycles of the mains to sync various internal
stuff, like the speed of the drive motors. Soooo, since a step-up
transformer leaves the frequency alone, playing a Stones tape may make Mick
Jagger sound like Britney Spears!
Try and check with the manufacturer to make sure running your equipment at
220V/60Hz instead of 50Hz won't result in funny behavior.
"Hoolie" <member18112@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> This may be off topic, but I have found shipping enquiries here,
> so hey ho.
> I have a 'decent' hi-fi, worth approx £1500. The speakers weigh 20 kilos
> each. What is the most sensible way to get this to the US?
> My thinking is that I can take the CD player & amp as hand luggage
> (other than this I am travelling light). I also hear that individual
> airlines will do deals on additional luggage, and the rate isn't bad if
> you arrange it beforehand (i.e. not at check-in!). So the speakers could
> go this way too.
> I know that UK electrical items don't work on their own in the US, but I
> intend using a step-up transformer (or whatever Steve in my hi-fi shop
> called it). Any experiences on these would be welcome.
Are you sure your equipment isn't switchable to 110V/60Hz?
If it isn't, a step-up transformer will probably work. However, some older
equipment uses the number of cycles of the mains to sync various internal
stuff, like the speed of the drive motors. Soooo, since a step-up
transformer leaves the frequency alone, playing a Stones tape may make Mick
Jagger sound like Britney Spears!
Try and check with the manufacturer to make sure running your equipment at
220V/60Hz instead of 50Hz won't result in funny behavior.
Nov 27th 2003, 3:23 am
#4
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Moving hi-fi equipment UK - US
Originally posted by Hoolie .... I know that UK electrical items don't work on their own in the US, but I intend using a step-up transformer (or whatever Steve in my hi-fi shop called it). Any experiences on these would be welcome......
Make sure that you get one with loads of spare power - I run my hifi on a 2KW voltage stablizer, but even that only cost me $120 plus shipping.
Nov 27th 2003, 3:45 am
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21
Re: Moving hi-fi equipment UK - US
Mick and Britney are safe then.
Thanks.
Anyone got any transport tips? I don't have enough luggage to warrant shipping, really only the stereo and a suitcase, but the stereo is extremely important for my mental health...
[
QUOTE]Originally posted by Pulaski
I run my British 220V hifi (similar quality/value to yours) in the US, on a Voltage Stablizer from DVD Overseas.com. It runs perfectly, you wouldn't know that it isn't running on British 220V mains.
Make sure that you get one with loads of spare power - I run my hifi on a 2KW voltage stablizer, but even that only cost me $120 plus shipping. [/QUOTE]
Thanks.
Anyone got any transport tips? I don't have enough luggage to warrant shipping, really only the stereo and a suitcase, but the stereo is extremely important for my mental health...
[
QUOTE]Originally posted by Pulaski
I run my British 220V hifi (similar quality/value to yours) in the US, on a Voltage Stablizer from DVD Overseas.com. It runs perfectly, you wouldn't know that it isn't running on British 220V mains.
Make sure that you get one with loads of spare power - I run my hifi on a 2KW voltage stablizer, but even that only cost me $120 plus shipping. [/QUOTE]
