CD players sold in Japan can work in US with no problem?

I have a few portable Panasonic CD players made in Japan. Great sound and no voltage issues. 🤗

Geoff: Modern switch-mode power supplies are often auto-ranging as far as input voltage is concerned. You would need to check the labels to be certain. 

As Al wisely pointed out, the power supply in the CD player is likely a linear power supply, and designed to operate within specific tolerances for the target market. Most audio gear is made with different transformers for different markets. Depending on regulatory requirements in electrical codes, they may have specific requirements for switching the hot -and- neutral wires, fusing and depending on mains voltage and sometimes frequency differences in some parts of the world, the primary windings and magnetic circuit in the core of the power transformer will be rated for different voltages and frequencies. Over-powering a linear power supply causes rectifiers, ballast resistors and regulation circuit power transistors to run hotter than they were intended to. This heat leads to premature failure and possible catastrophic failure or 🔥 fire 🔥 hazards. Then, there is also the issue of filtering capacitors running over voltage tolerance, and over-heating and bursting or catching fire. This is because in analog electronics, some power supplies are crudely regulated, counting on line voltage to stay relatively close to design and working the filter capacitors very hard without voltage regulation. These cautions explain the real value of power conditioners that mitigate input voltage variance to our expensive gear. 

I've been using my 100V Accuphase preamp for the past 20 years (without using a step-down transformer). Absolutely no issues!!!

@jkbtn, I see in one of your other posts that your Accuphase preamp is apparently a C-280.  I took a look at its manual, which can be found at hifiengine.com if one is registered there, and it is described as having switches located behind a removeable part of the rear panel which allow the AC voltage it is operated with to be selected between 100, 117, 220, and 240 volts.  I'm thinking that 20+ years ago it was probably set to 117 by you or whomever you purchased it from, if not by the manufacturer.

+1 to the good comments by Sleepwalker65.  I suspect, btw, that Geoff's comment was a facetious reference to his use of "portable Panasonic CD players" that are battery powered :-)

Finally, I would re-emphasize my earlier reference to the possibility that running a component with 20% or so more AC voltage than it was intended to be used with may affect sonics.  I find it ironic that some audiophiles concern themselves with minutiae such as which way a fuse is oriented, but it seems in many cases wouldn't think twice about the possibility that sonic consequences could result from such a major difference in voltage. 

Regards,

-- Al
 

The one I have is "PRECISION STEREO PREAMPLIFIER C-275". I purchased it in Tokyo, Japan. Clearly marked "100V" on the back panel. I have never seen anyone selling the C-275 on here or other online used markets. Usually it's the C-280. Probably not much different except for the AC voltage. Why didn't I use an external transformer after I brought it to California? Because I never thought of it. The unit sounded superb 20 years ago and it still does. And hopefully for 20 more years.