Interesting dilemma. I would call your local dealer and ask or do some on-line research. I am sure that it's a simple answer that anyone w/some basic engineering knowledge would know...and have fun in japan :)
Hello, I may have a chance to go to
Japan with my boyfriend. He is being sent there on business and I am going to look at cd players while I am there (if I go). Japan and the US have different voltage requirements, does a voltage converter work well? Does it change the sound? If they do work, will they work permanently? My boyfriend is about as clueless as I am, so we're both wondeering if it would be worth buying a cd player over there. I am mainly interested in Accuphase, they are so expensive over here that I may be able to find one over there but what good would it do me if I can't play it? Thank you all.
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From a technical standpoint I don't see any reason that it would be a problem, given that the current draw of the Accuphase cd players (and most others) is small. This one, for example, is rated at 18 watts. The voltage converter might even improve the sound, because its limited bandwidth will result in some degree of noise filtering. I would be concerned about using a voltage converter mainly on components such as power amplifiers, where the current draw is large and may fluctuate widely and rapidly. Do choose a converter that is rated to handle at least several times the rated power requirement of the player, because brief surges that occur at turn-on ("inrush current") might be much larger than the unit's nominal current draw. Here are some inexpensive converters. I would go with the 500 watt model, given the small difference in price and identical size compared to the 300. I have used one of their larger models with good results, although I can't say anything conclusive about its sonic effects because I was not using it in my main system. Regards, -- Al |
Since we don't have zip/country in our profiles, it's hard to tell from what country you're going to Japan however I'm not sure what is the goal being persuaded by crazy 'phile couple LOL! Wouldn't you have anything MORE interesting than CD-player shopping in Japan? Unless you're saving thousands on Accuphase(or similar) equipment, or you have very limited choices of japanese CD-players next to your home it wouldn't make much of a sense. |
. I've been there and it didn't look to me like they were selling things any cheaper but I could be wrong. Be sure to factor in the customs duties you'll have to pay as well as the fact the warranty will be void and no Accuphase dealer will service it. from http://www.accuphase.com/support.html Terms of Accuphase Warranty The Accuphase warranty is not worldwide, but is limited only to the country, in which the product was purchased, and the first original purchaser. As Accuphase Warranty service is conducted by the individual authorized Accuphase distributor in each country, the warranty has no coverage outside the country where the warranty has been registered. Warranty disclaimer information Accuphase products are manufactured to each individual country's electrical specifications and voltages. Use or sale of Accuphase products outside of their respective country's territories, for example the use of 100 volt products in 120 or 220/230/240 volt products regions, 120 volt products in 100 or 220/230/240 volt regions and 220/230/240 volt products in 100 or 120 volt regions, automatically voids the Accuphase warranty of the affected product. Products whose voltage conversions were not authorized as well as use of transformers that step up/down the voltage will void the Accuphase warranty. Once Accuphase determines that a product has been used outside it's authorized country, that product will not be accepted for warranty or for service. . |
In a nutshell, it is not worth it. Just a few precautions; shipping/return handling of the unit could be problematic, customs - what if you are hit with a charge for an expensive unit being brought into the country?, inability to conduct any kind of trial of the unit in one's system (perhaps not a big consideration for you), warranty and repair work, and cost associated with getting the unit switched over voltage-wise or buying a converter, etc. Perhaps if you were visiting the Accuphase factory and buying a factory second it might make sense to try. Excepting that I don't see a tremendous amount of upside to the idea, especially when there are fabulous souning DACs for about $1,500 or less which might compete very well. When I was in Hong Kong I made it a point to visit an entire High End shopping center/zone with several shops adjacent. It was a marvelous experience, but I came home empty-handed for the very reasons I explained above. |
Japan with my boyfriend. He is being sent there on business and I am going to look at cd players while I am there (if I go). Japan and the US have different voltage requirements, does a voltage converter work well? Does it change the sound? If they do work, will they work permanently? My boyfriend is about as clueless as I am, so we're both wondeering if it would be worth buying a cd player over there. I am mainly interested in Accuphase, they are so expensive over here that I may be able to find one over there but what good would it do me if I can't play it? Thank you all.good heavens!! what a couple you guys are!!! you are going to Japan for the 1st time & all you can think is going shopping for an Accuphase CD player?? :-0 Japan is such a different culture from rest to the world - soak in their culture, their food, their way of living, etc & simply forget about the CD player. I'm with Marakanetz in this regard. Both Herman & Doug Schroeder make some very good points - it's not worth your effort. Enjoy Japan & buy the electronics off Audiogon or your local dealer - a demo or scratch-and-dent unit, refurbish, trade-in, etc. |
Boy you guys sure like to draw your own conclusions don't you, what a tough crowd. Of course that's not the only thing I would be doing there, it's just one of the things I thought that I could do when he's working, we would save the siteseeing when we could go together. But, it's all moot at this point anyway as I can't get the time off from work, we're really busy now, so he is going by himself. He's not going to have time to go looking for a cdp for me as he'll be very busy while he's there (electrical engineer) and I wouldn't even ask him to do that. I got on line after I heard the news that I couldn't go and saw a few places that sell Accuphase but not sure if I fully trust them. What I can't believe is the price difference between Japan and the U.S. for the same equipment (if it's legit), what a markup. But some of you are right, Accuphase won't touch them if you use a voltage transformer or if you buy overseas. I guess I'll just either purchase over here now that I won't be going, or I'll look for another player. Thanks |
Sandra I see your still in search of a CD player. Did you ever get an opportunity to listen to the Denon DCD-A100? I'm considering purchasing one and would like your thoughts on it. I have the DVD-3800 and it sounds really good with Blu-ray music so I was hoping the DCD-A100 might be as good with SACD. The digital input is a plus for hooking a music server to. |
Hi Ig, yes I have listened to the DCD-A100 a few times and I think it is a great sounding player. The first thing I noticed about it is that it is such a musical, non-fatiguing player. It is also very well built, beautiful to look at. The only thing that excludes me buying it (somewhat) is that it doesn't have USB input (asynch.) You need to have spdif or toslink so I would have to buy a converter to hook up to my computer, another piece of equipment . I am still considering the Denon, but am also very interested in the Aesthetix Romulus and the Berkeley Audio II player. The Denon is one of the best players I have heard, I'm wondering if it isn't close enough to the Romulus and Berkeley that it wouldn't matter, but I really have no way of knowing unless I have all three here at the same time. I guess you would just have to take a chance and buy it, but I don't think you'll be disappointed. |
Sandra Thanks for the input, I was mostly looking at the Denon for the SACD part. I have a very good CD player (McCormack DAC-1 Ultra) that pretty much gives up nothing to hi-rez, about the only thing I've heard better is my Denon Blu-ray spinning Blu-ray music and thats only slightly. But I have quite a few SACD so I was thinking this would fit the bill to fill that void and with the spdif input connect my computer to it for my DVD-A and download collection. Plus with the deal that Music Direct has on this right now it make it hard to pass up. Again Thanks for the info. |
Went ahead and picked one of these up from Music Direct and have it burning in now. You are correct its a very nice looking player, solidly built. I thought the 100th Anniversary paint scheme would look bad with the sparkles in it but you have to look close to see them so it adds a nice touch. Decided to take the plunge on this player after reading several other post people have made else where, plus the fact that I like the way my Denon DVD-3800BDci sounded with Blu-Ray music so figured it would sound close if not better. Will keep you posted on how it sounds as it breaks in. |
Hi Ig, glad you bought it. My computer went belly-up on me so I am looking into another computer too, considering a mac. I have a Sony 595 SACD player I bought a few years ago, I wanted it to see if I like sacd's and it's not too bad. It only costs $120 or so, but I have nice equipment and want a better player for my upper end stuff. I have another small system, plus a turntable for my records, so I have a lot of music in my house. Please keep us informed about the Denon, I am still interested in it. |
