Step Up/Down Transformers - Good or Bad?


I have an amplifier that was purchased in Europe and I am using it here in the States. I am having to use a step up transformer in order to connect between the wall and the amplifier. Is there a compromise to the sound with any transformer that is placed between component and wall outlet? Does it all depend on the quality of the transformer? Can one use an after-market power cord and have it yield benefits, even if it is plugged into the transformer?

Appreciate the responses.
glrtrgi
Hmm.
1. We all like specific types of disortion in our audio. My personal favorite is the high magnitude even order harmonic distortion that you get with vaccum tubes.
2. It seems reasonably well established that distortion in the upper frequency range can make music sound more dynamic. For example Vandersteen goes to the expense of installing back firing tweeters on their 5a's because some listeners/systems benefit from the timing and frequency distortion inherent to bouncing tweeters off of back walls & etc.
3. If a person is basically happy with their system & then they insert a device that tends to eliminate higher frequency distortion would this most likely be percieved as a loss of dynamics?
"My personal favorite is the high magnitude even order harmonic distortion that you get with vaccum (sic)tubes."

Not to get off topic but the more accurate statement is, if tubes have distortion it is more likely to be even order.
The better tube designs can sound quite neutral.
Gregadd - "tube designs can sound quite neutral." Agreed, but would they still sound neutral without signal distortion? I think that the electrical distortion which creates the illusion of natural acoustic distortion, or tends to fill in the signal loss inherent to recording & playback, is part of what we like about our systems.

"...Agreed, but would they still sound neutral without signal distortion?..."

"Without signal distortion." That is neutrality defined. Second order harmonics is a pleasant distortion. But distortion none the less.

Second order distortion is not inherent in tube designs.