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London or Europe Anyone: Changing Voltage Again?

No sooner has the dust settled in my apt in NY that it seems cwlondon may be heading back to London or even Switzerland by the Summer.

The last time I went through this exercise, I bought a 240 V Euro spec Aragon 4004 MK II for a considerable premium. At the time, this type of permium was typical when manufacturers commanded a 50%+ higher prices overseas.

But then I discovered that it took about 45 seconds for another dealer to change voltage on my US spec Levinson 31 transport and my Jadis JPL preamp.

These days are most components easily switched? Could anyone be so kind as to glance at my system and advise me on switching or selling? The market overseas for US high end is thinner and much more expensive.

A side note, I just spoke with Audio Research who said my SP-11 could probably be switched, but also said that Richard Gray step down transformer could easily be used.

I thought that was an audiophile no no?!?!?

Any advice on voltage changes would be greatly appreciated.
cwlondon
detlof
1,899 posts
 
CW, I'm afraid you cannot generalise. I use both 230 and 110 VAC gear in my system here in Switzerland. I've just bought a pair of Jadis 200 mono amps from Canada, and they could easily be converted to 230VAC by resoldering a couple of wires on the two power transformers. Spectral gear cannot be handled that way. I use a couple of EquiTechs with excellent results on my 360 monos and a PS Audio 600 for the Spectral pre. I would never pay the ridiculous mark up prices, which they charge for Spectral gear here in Europe. I also run two Krell 300 monos, US version, which I use for part of the the bottom end of my system, through a $400 buck stepdown transformer which delivers over 5000 watts at ample amperage, which drive the amps beautifully. Getting a European version of similar quality, would have cost me at least double. So you have to research and enquire very carefully to find the best solution. I've found, that both the Equitechs at 1500 watts delivery each, and the PS Audio at about 460 watts do not degrade the sound, au contraire. But I would beware of cheap stepdown transformers, which of course the Gray is not, only I am not familiar with it. By the way, should you touch base in Switzerland, why not get in touch?
Cheers,
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
All I can tell you is I sent a DAC to Classe' to change the voltage from 220-110 and they only charged $60 and that included return shipping.
aida_w
308 posts
 
It's nonsense that stepdown or stepup transformers in general are a high end no no. There is no audible effect whatsoever if you use decent units. I run an all American system in Germany. My Wadias are fed by PSAudio PS300 which accepts 220Volts (switchable) and feeds 115-120 Volt. My AudioResearch SP14 was switched to 220Volts as was my McIntosh MC 2000(the latter with quite some fee). Revel's LE-1 was switched for no charge at the dealer's in Boston.If you use a transformer do check if you can install it it the unit's housing. It is possible in most cases. That means there's no need for an extra special powercord etc.
Good luck! And welcome in Old Europe as they say?!
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