Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

Hi Folks

I need a recommendation from someone on how to get a good quality 240V power source to power the hi-fi I bought across from the UK to the US. It's
reasonably high-end equipment, and I'm picky about the sound and need a good clean supply, so I was wondering if people had any recommendations.

What are the pros and cons of getting a voltage converter versus having a 240V tap taken off the entrance panel (we'd need a new panel). What about the cleanliness of the supply?

If anybody has been through this sort of thing before, any advice would be appreciated...

Nettie

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

http://www.dvdoverseas.com/

http://www.threedoubleyou.com/converters.htm


Those sites sell 'em.

Get a decent convertor because they get hot and the cheap ones' aren't great for long use...also, use them in a ventilated area helps.

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

I got mine from DVDoverseas, and it works my hiifi just great - but like Bob said get a good sized one for hi-fi, as a good amp draws significant power spikes - I run my Marantz Ki-Signature amp and CD player off a 2Kw "voltage stabilizer" (DVDoverseas terminology) so that my hi-fi gets plenty of nice clean power. :)

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

I also have been pleased with my purchases from dvdoverseas...

my espresso machine and hi-fi have been working great for 2 years now

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

Hi have a look at this site they have all kinds and they have a FAQ page about choosing the correct one

http://www.voltageconverters.com/productspage.html

:D

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

I bought three off these guys and have been very pleased with them. They are step up and down so you can use them back in the UK if/when you go home!

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

What they said ... if you are going to draw significant current (hair dryer is the usual offender, but stereos and amplification equipment as well) then you need a substantial transformer capable of dissipating heat. My British rock band friends go through transformers like bog roll. Better to get a good one that can take the heat than buy the cheaper ones which you'll have to replace.

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

I just got a 500W step up/step down transformer from dvdoverseas for my hifi equipment (not as high-end as yours) - a Cambridge A300 amp and Phillips 775 CD dual-deck recorder. Is that gonna be enough to run it safely? I think the total load for those 2 is 320W.

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

I would say "probably" -- depends on the maximum power draw. The manuals should state this; another way to estimate it is to multiply the maximum voltage each can put out by the maximum current each can draw. The maximum current can probably be determined by the value on the fuse (hopefully there's a fuse).

The amp is going to tend to draw more power than the recorder; and the amount it's going to output is going to depend on the resistance of your speakers and how they are connected.

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

IMO .... Safely? ... Yes, .... but without distortion? ... No. :(

Re: Recommendation for US/UK voltage converter?
 

Thanks guys.

The distortion would come from you not being able to draw enough current for your amplifier, resulting in "clipping" the signal.

I would suggest that you sort out the maximum power draw of your amp through perhaps a web forum or the manufacturer; and buy another converter based upon those numbers.

It's hard.... the musicians whose labels give them loads of money always have converters/transformers that work; and the indie groups are always having to borrow them (or have the Beeb buy gear for them if they are being recorded here). Not to mention having them held up in customs for being suspicious electronica.

Best of luck from a fellow audiophile,
Amy