Might be living overseas, electronics adaptability


My current setup is simple and basic: NAD C375BEE integrated and a budget Onkyo CD player. Might be moving overseas where voltage is 220-230 @50Hz, unlike the USA. Anyone know if modern day electronics are adaptable to be used overseas, or would I need to sell what I have and replace with desired equipment for future enjoyment there? I know adapters are available, but concerned that introducing yet another device in the signal path could degrade what I'm hearing. Any experience with this?

sifter

I moved to Europe from the USA, so I had your problem. Electronic equipment comes in a variety of flavors, but most can be adapted to both 115V/60Hz and 230V/50Hz, because it is easier and cheaper for a manufacturer to use the same bill of materials for all regions of the world. Here are the different varieties you will encounter:

  • Autosensing: You just use the proper cord, and everything works. Generally this is the case for a lot of equipment with SMPS power supplies. Swap out your NEMA (USA) plug / C13 cord for a Schuko (Europe) plug / C13 cord.
  • Switchable: These types of equipment have a switch, typically located near the IEC inlet, mostly on the outside of the equipment, but sometimes on the inside (check the manual). With the equipment off, slide the switch to the proper voltage. Be careful to not plug it into the wrong mains voltage! Use the proper power cable,
  • Internal jumper: Sometimes you need to replace an internal jumper with a different one. If your equipment is not autosensing or switchable, try contacting the manufacturer and see if they have a different jumper. If you change the jumper, label the equipment on the outside so you know what voltage it takes. Use the proper power cable. 
  • Rewire-capable: A manufacturer will often use a transformer with the capability to handle both voltages (typically the primary winding is divided into two parts that can be wired in series or in parallel, depending on input voltage). If they don't use an internal jumper, you can rewire the transformer. Do not do this unless you know what you are doing! You need to know the transformer wiring, and often, you will need to know how to solder properly (if you have not soldered thick, heavy terminals, it's different than soldering thin wires). Label the equipment on the outside so you know what voltage it takes. Use the proper power cable. 

In many of these you may need to change the fuse to a different value (fuses are based on amps, and when using twice the voltage you use half the amps). Check with the manufacturer -- some recommend fuse changes, some don't. 

I was fortunate enough to be doing a system upgrade while knowing I was going to move, with enough lead time to check the details of equipment before purchasing. I encountered equipment in each of the four categories above. Everything works fine here in Europe.

 

A quick look through the service manual (available online) shows that your NAD needs to be manually re-wired. It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to get it done by a decent technician. You can do it in the USA and then use a voltage converter until you move (you can find the converter on Amazon -- I recommend the Krieger brand, as they are solidly built and UL listed).

Alternatively, you can just use the voltage converter overseas to convert 230V to 115V, and plug your NAD into the converter. No rewiring needed, and the 50Hz vs 60Hz should not be an issue. A much better alternative if this move may be temporary.

Buy a decent quality voltage converter when you get there. They are heavy as hell to schlep around. This is what I did for 14 years in Asia.

I am preparing for a similar move.

If there are no motors in a particular component, you can use a step down voltage converter.  I would buy high quality converters with a higher voltage rating than your components require.  Todd seems to make one of the better converters available.

 

Note that these converters convert voltage only.  Voltage and frequency converters are available, but they are so pricey that you would be better off replacing the component with a unit compatible with 220/50.  Components with motors, especially turntables, need the proper frequency in order to operate properly.  I will be purchasing a turntable with a switchable power supply.  I think some indicator panels may also be sensitive to the frequency of the power supply.

 

If you want to buy 220 electronics, there are sellers in the US that specialize in electronics for 220/50.  However, they mostly sell mid-fi stuff.  My US made preamp will be sent in to a service facility for conversion to 220/50.

 

I have done a lot of research on this topic.  If you have more questions, feel free to ask here or PM me.

Thank you so much all, this is very helpful. No turntable/motor, right now just the NAD amp and my Onkyo C7030 CD player. So, from what I gather the 50 Hz frequency shouldn’t give me too much trouble, obviously the voltage converter is a must.