Forums https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Voltage conversion... https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1470313246 Message started by alper_yilmaz on 08/04/16 at 13:20:46

Title: Voltage conversion... Post by alper_yilmaz on 08/04/16 at 13:20:46 Hi All, In another few months, I am planning to move back to Brooklyn, NY from Istanbul, Turkey.  As you would imagine, I have a bunch of stereo equipment which are all wired for 230V.  Having everything rewired to 110V and changing all the electric filters by Stein and BlackNoise as well as the electric cables would cost a fortune.  Rather than doing that, I am thinking of buying a powerful transformer (2500 watts or more) which would take the 110V and convert to 230V. I have done the opposite in the past; that is, I used my Decware gear wired for 110V in Turkey by using a 230-to-110V transformer.  Steve had even mentioned that it would reduce the noise in the electricity.  Now it would be the other way around... I have tons of filters in my chain that reduce the noise in the electricity but I still wanted to hear your opinions on this...  What do you think?  Should I have everything rewired and have new sets of filters and electric cables (or at least terminations): or should I go for the significantly cheaper option of 110-to-230V transformer? Any opinions would be highly appreciated... Best, Alper

Title: Re: Voltage conversion... Post by Denizen on 08/04/16 at 18:57:27 While it wouldn't take much to rewire the x-frmr's (wire from series to parallel ) you might check to see if there are any upgrades for your decware equip. and if so you could have done at that time.

Title: Re: Voltage conversion... Post by 4krow on 08/05/16 at 02:25:02 Alper,  I'm with you at least for those components that aren't easily converted to 110 volt operation (some have dual primary windings that can be rewired, and some don't). Likely, it may be a bit of a quest to find the transformer that you would prefer, i.e. the correct shielding, amperage, and overall quality. By no means are transformers equal when it comes to class.

Title: Re: Voltage conversion... Post by alper_yilmaz on 08/05/16 at 08:53:56 Thanks folks... Among my equipment is: - TABOO mkIII - Copland CTA405 push-pull amp - Hegel HD20 DAC (with a 110-220 switch) - Rega RP6 Turntable - Marantz CD player, - etc. But on top of these, I have two of Stein's InLine Power, and a bunch of Black Noise filters and DH Labs power cables which have all European style sockets.  Switching them all to US three-prong connectors or US versions of these products would cost me more than $5,000.  Rather than making such an investment, I am more inclined towards buying a high-quality transformer (like Best Diamond, for instance) with ample capacity (more than 5,000 watts).  One can say that all those filters, etc. are just snake oil which I thought as well prior to installing these in my setup.  Yet, I must admit they improved the performance significantly, and therefore I would not like to give them up... Thanks again, Alper

Title: Re: Voltage conversion... Post by dank on 08/05/16 at 22:49:49 Alper Don't forget that we do have 220/230/240 vac in the U.S.  Your dryer, stove, and hot water heater all use it (unless you have gas).  Don't know what your electrical panel looks like or where you need the power, but a dedicated 230 circuit be the answer.   Dan

Title: Re: Voltage conversion... Post by 4krow on 08/05/16 at 23:12:55 Dank raises a valid point. 220 voltage is available at the breaker box, and I forgot that I have even taken advantage of this in the past. The idea using those European cords can be handled by making a power strip that will accept them.

Title: Re: Voltage conversion... Post by alper_yilmaz on 08/08/16 at 15:49:34 That is a great solution actually...  The only potential problem with that is, someone who does not know that specifically and who is not savvy about such a thing (like the cleaning lady, etc.) might plug in a 110V unit into that strip and blow few things up!  :) Thanks, Alper

Title: Re: Voltage conversion... Post by 4krow on 08/08/16 at 18:29:36 Alper, I can appreciate your concern, as I have to consider exactly that when I was using 220 voltage in the house. My answer was to buy a 110 volt outlet with a different blade configuration, i.e. one blade was 90 degrees to the other, rather than parallel to each other making insertion of a regular plug impossible. They are not that uncommon, and usually can be purchased in a local hardware store. Of course, this would likely be a dedicated circuit, and should be labeled clearly as such in the fuse panel.  It is possible to come off of another 220 circuit such as a stove or other large appliance, but that would not be my first choice.

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