Step Up/Down Transformers - Good or Bad?

Gregadd - I think your buddy would tell you that twice the volts gets you twice the amps, when other factors are equal.
He is right though when conditions are right it doesn't take high voltage to drive enough current to hurt or kill.

Glrtrgi - I really don't have issue with 240v lines, and as noted above you are going to have a 240v outlet somewhere unless you wire directly from tranny, just think it is good to be aware of the potential hazards.

Albertporter - "unless your kids are especially gifted at getting things into sockets they are likely to get 120 (one leg)." The lucky kid goes 120-ground, the unlucky goes +120 -120, just touching 120 is usually free unless you are in contact with a grounded surface. Not sure why one would be more likely than another.
The better sound opinion is interesting (why , in what way, how determined?) if you are in the mood to elaborate.

Happy listening

Jeff,
I can't speak for Albert of course, but I've experimented with all sorts of transformers in the course of my meandering audiophile career. To my mind and experience most of them interfere with dynamics in the musical signal, so also for me a direct dedicated line has been the preferred choice.
Happy listening,
Detlof

"think your buddy would tell you that twice the volts gets you twice the amps, when other factors are equal."

Makes sense since my 120 line fuse is 15 amps and my 220 line fuse for ac is 30 amps.
Point is you can get a high voltage low amp line.
Today's' circuits are safe. They even have lines that detect a short and shut off. (Modern bathrooms and kitchens are required to have such a circuit by code. Just in case you drop the hair dryer into the tub.)A determined individual can still electrocute themselves.

Detlof - Thanks for the feedback, am trying to understand. I assume you are specifically refering to power transformers and not transformers in the audio signal path?

Jeff,
Yes of course. Sorry to have been unclear (: