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Can US 220 Volts Be Used On European 220 V Amp?

I am in the US and all my audio components run on the traditional voltage from a standard wall outlet. I am considering the purchase of a European amplifier that runs on 220 volts. If a US 220 Volt socket is added in my listening room, will the 220V European amp run properly on this US 220 voltage? Some thoughts I had is that the US 220V is 60 Hz, while (I think) the European 220V is 50 Hz.  I plugged in a volt meter into my wall outlet and it reads +/- 120 volts. Does that mean the the 2-pole voltage is 240 volts? Lots of questions and I don't want to damage the 220V European amp if I decide to buy it. Let me know your thoughts and experiences. Thanks in advance.

Ag insider logo xs@2x3zub
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
682 posts
 

@3zub 

Just curious, what 220 amp were you considering?

@cleeds 

someone told me of a cheaper workaround that works just fine.  I moved overseas 18 months ago, and this person told me he used this in Greece for several years with no issues.  Under his advice, I got a 220V power supply and a power inverter that’s used on boats and plugged the power inverter into the power supply.  Cost me all of $120 or so on Amazon and works like a charm.  All of the other devices to go from 60 to 50 Hz are all at least $500 which was almost as much as my Ariston TT.

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cleeds
5,944 posts
 

lou_setriodes

I got a 220V power supply and a power inverter that’s used on boats and plugged the power inverter into the power supply .. works like a charm.

I wouldn't want an inverter near my system. I think it's better to use gear designed for the type of power it will run on, 120VAC/60hZ for most of us in the US.

calieng
144 posts
 

Unless there is an internal voltage switch or a transformer tap for 115V that can easily be connected I would not bother.

There are lots of nice equipment for sale that runs on 115V. 

lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
682 posts
 

@cleeds 

I’m currently living in Israel where it’s 230V/50Hz and learned about AC & DC motors the hard way when I schlepped my Ariston RD80SL Turntable here that was wired for 115V/60 Hz.  I got many opinions on how to make it work as with my SUT it was running at 27 RPM.

 

I priced out a couple of devices from companies that were out of business that made small boxes capable of reclocking a 60 Hz motor to 50 Hz but they cost more than I have into this turntable.  The other advice was to:

1.  Buy and install a Linn motor

2.  Recap it

Both required turning it upside down and performing major surgery which I was not looking forward to at all. Then, a person told me of how he reclocked (that’s not the correct term to use, but I’ll use it anyway) his turntable when he lived in Greece and it worked perfectly and was the easy low cost solution that was by far the simplest thing to do.  
 

So far, a year later and there are no hiccups at all.  I leave it powered on 24/7 and it’s just fine, not at all warm to the touch.

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