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The effect 60Hz Cycles on 50Hz SACD-PLayers

Hi Everyone: I am originally from Denmark, Europe, where 230V/50Hz is used in the Outlet. I have though recently moved to Ecuador, where they have 110V/60Hz. Now The Voltage is not a problem, since you can get Voltage Transformers/Stabilisers all over as well as have a certified electrician change the voltage from 110 to 220V in some or all sockets, depending on your individual wish, without any problem.

My problem is the Frequency 50 versus 60Hz. Now as far as I can deduct, My Mark Levinson Pre and power-amp will not be affected, since there on the back of the Pre (No. 28) says 220V and 50/60Hz and on the back of the Power-amps (No. 20.6) it says 210-240V and 47-400Hz. With these data, ingraved on the back, both should be in the clear as far as I can see. Now I can see, that the power-amps have been changed to 230V. This I can see, by looking down through the top-plate and down into the front print-board, where it says 230V. I cannot remember if it also says 50Hz, but I seriously doubt it, since it, as earlier mentioned, says 47-400Hz.

Now my newly purchased (from new) Luxman D-06 SACD-Player is another matter. it is definately a 230V/50Hz Machine, according to the note on the back of it. Now I have tried to read several forums here on Audiogon and elsewhere. Some say, that the cycles can burn the internal transformer of the Player, saying something to the effect of, that the current rises or something like that, I didn't quite understand it, to be honest. This problem, should though, as far as i could understand mostly if not always, be when you take a 60Hz apparatus to a 50Hz country and not so much, if at all, the other way around (My case). Others say, that since all CD and SACD-Players have DC-Motors, then the cycles does NOT affect the motors operating the SACD at all. What is true??? I have thought about buying a certain apparatus, which changes the cycles from 60 to 50Hz to plug in between the outlet-socket and the Luxman, but I've heard, that such devices are very costly ($600USD/Unit) and since my SACD-Player is the only apparatus, which is Firmly a 230V/50Hz Unit, then this is where I ask You Guys. Is it necessary for me to buy such a Cycle-changing unit, just for my SACD-Player, when all other unit are fine with 60Hz??? Some say, that it all depends on the quality of the parts used in general and the transformer in particular and if this is true, then there should be no problem, since I believe I can safely say, that Luxman are known for using High Quality Parts.


So my question to You All therefore is: Can my Luxman D-06 Stand The Muster of being fed with 60Hz??? Is it in such good quality, that it won't overheat or burn out the Transformer or any of the other parts inside??? Wil it affect It's Sound Quality??? Or is it Definately Necessary to buy such a Cycles-Change Apparatus for it to work properly and safely??? Will my warranty change, because I use 220V/60Hz instead of the specified 230V/50Hz???


I'd appreciate any and all comments to help me decide what to do.


Have a Great Audio Day All of You.


Sincerely Thomas.

128x128ferrari365gtb

Showing 4 responses by ferrari365gtb

ferrari365gtb's avatar
ferrari365gtb OP
20 posts
 

Hi almarg:


Many Thanks for you comment and for trying to reasure me. I've seen it that way, the part that, the manufactures simply put 50hz on European products, because they're meant for the european market. You could be right, but I do think though, that they are genuine information, Like for instance "Don't put your cat in the microwave" kind of thing, so that they free from liability, should you do something stupid. Now that doesn't necessarily mean, that the make and insert different transformers for 50 and 50hz Versions. It could be, to save money and fuss, they just make ONE, which can take both frequencies, but this is kind of what i need to know. I need to know, that their transformer and the rest of the parts inside can take both frequencies, without any harm done to them. I'll probably have to contact Luxman themselves, but they seem kind of ghostly, when it comes to contact-info. On a Higher Note, seems like a Commercial for them, but NOT the company itself and so since the closed down some 20-25 years ago and since the re-arose from the dark again, I haven't been able to find the actual website of the company itself. Maybe you or somebody can help me with this.


Anyway almarg. Thanks so much for your comment and insight. I Appreciate it A Lot.


Sincerely Thomas.

ferrari365gtb's avatar
ferrari365gtb OP
20 posts
 
Hi Everyone. Thank You All Sooo Much for your Huge Help and Wonderfull Comments. I usually prefer to answer ALL Personally, but these last two days have just been so hectic, so I'll try and answer in several groups, according to different areas of the subject of the title of this discussion. 

Many of You have commented on whether or not 60hz into a 50hz SACD-Player, will destroy some internal parts, such as the trannie and part of the signal-handling system down the line from the trannie. You aml seem to agree with each-other, that this should be a problem, since the parts either have a tolerance for both frequencies, even though they may not be specifically made to resist both frequencies, they still can handle both with no problem. Then there were several of you who said, that there ARE parts and entire Audio Equipment, MADE to work fine with both and have a built intolerance for both frequencies from the factory. Then more specifically in regards to Luxman, one of You mentioned, that Japan uses BOTH cycles in different part of the country and thus there it is more likely, that japanese products in general, are more able to withstand both frequencies, since its not likely, that the make one transformer and o e set of parts for the gear going to one part of the country, which uses 60hz and then another complete different set for other part, which uses 50hz. That probably doesn't make sense profitability-wise as well as Time-wise. It is there most probable, that most japanese Audio Manufactures, probably makes just one set of parts, that can withstand both.

No regarsing moving wires inside the apparatus, it is probably doable, but I have just never beeb a fan of it myself. My gear is all with Original Boxes and on them , it says the Original Voltage and I have Always to buy, own and sell my gear, with voltage given by the factory, because that means, that the next buyer, safe can buy from, nowing that the Originality of the gear, has never been tampered with...

Regarding the right voltage. Obviously, the gear always has to have the right or nearly the right voltage. And thus is why I can happily say, that I yesterday had a certified electrician come and change two specific  chosen outlets from 110 into 220Volts and Everything works Perfectly and Sounds Outstanding. Thanks So Much Everyone, for your Advices and Comments.

Have a Greasaaaat Audio Day All of You.

Sincerely Thomas.

ferrari365gtb's avatar
ferrari365gtb OP
20 posts
 
Czarivey...So True...Thanks Again...
ferrari365gtb's avatar
ferrari365gtb OP
20 posts
 

I Obviously meant the following (Corrected for  spelling errors)

Hi Everyone. I Thank You All Sooo Much for your All The Huge Help and Wonderful Comments. I usually prefer to answer ALL Personally, but these last two days have just been so hectic, so I'll try and answer in several groups, according to different areas of the subject of the title of this discussion.

Many of You have commented on whether or not 60hz into a 50hz SACD-Player, will Damage or Destroy Certain internal parts, such as the Trannie and other parts in the signal-path and -handling system, down the line from the Trannie. You all seem to agree with each-other, that this Issue should NOT be a problem, since the parts either have a tolerance for both frequencies, even though they may not necessarily be specifically made to resist both frequencies, they still do and can handle both frequencies, with no problem. Then there were several of You who said, that there ARE parts in the Audio Industry, which on purpose IS made to work fine with both frequencies and thus have a built in tolerances, for both frequencies from the factory.

Then more specifically in regards to Luxman or Japanesa Audio Products in General, one of You mentioned, that Japan uses BOTH cycles in different parts of the country and thus it is more likely than not, that japanese products in general, are more able to withstand both frequencies, since its not likely, that they make one transformer and thus one set of parts for the gear going to one part of the country, which uses 60hz and then another completely different set for the other part, which uses 50hz. That probably doesn't make sense profitability-wise as well as Time-wise. It is therefore most probable, that most japanese Audio Manufactures, probably make just one set of parts, that can withstand both frequencies.

Now regarding moving and/or reconnecting wires inside the apparatus, now that is probably doable, but I have just never been a huge fan of this myself. My gear is all with Original Boxes and thus on these boxes , it indicates the Original Voltage, which the apparatus in question was born with from the factory and I have Always wanted to buy, own and sell gear, with the Original Voltage Setting as given by the factory from the get-go, because this means, that the next buyer, safely can buy from you, knowing that the Originality of the gear, has never been tampered with...

Regarding the right voltage. Obviously, the gear always has to have the right or nearly the right voltage (100-120V or 220-240V). This therefore is why I can happily say, that I yesterday had a Certified Electrician come and change two specifically  chosen outlets from 110 into 220 Volts and I can report, that Everything works Perfectly and Sounds Outstanding. I Therefore would like to say Thanks So Much Everyone, for your Advices and Comments...I'm Now a Very Happy Camper.

Have a Greasaaaat Audio Day All of You.

Sincerely Thomas.

 Report this czarivey3,337 posts10-26-2016 1:10pmEnter your text ...

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