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120Volts to 220Volts?

Hi Folks:
I hope to move my Arcam CD player and amplifer from the US to Singapore, but the electricity requirements are different. I guess I'm looking at three options:
To purchase transformers here or in Singapore which will allow the units to work there, or to get the internal electronics of the units changed to work at 220V, or to simply sell the gear on the used market and work from scratch in Singapore.
Which option do you think is the wisest? I'm not sure how difficult or expensive the first two are. I'd value your advice. Thanks!
128x128outlier
sqjudge
96 posts
 
You could get a step down transformer to drop the 220 v to 120. Is the frequency in Singapore 50 Hz? If so you may need to talk with the manufacturer. I feel the isolation from the transformer(s) could be of help in filtering out electrical line noise. Chris
marvel
4 posts
 
That depends on how long you are going to stay in Singapore. If it is for long, then I suggest you sell the equipment and start from scratch since few years down the road, the 2nd hand market value for your old equipment will be low. If it is for short, then using a quality transformer is really an option. I don't recommend changing the internal circuitry as the equipment was not originally designed to do so otherwise there would be an external switch or the equipment can auto-adjust the voltage.

Good luck
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
The Arcam is designed in the UK (where the power is 230 Volts 50Hz) and it is highly unlikely they ordered a separate run of transformers for US sales. It is therefore very likely that there is a simple switch inside for switching to 230V. If anything it may run better at 50Hz rather than the more difficult 60Hz. If you do not feel confident about it, ask Arcam.
detlof
1,899 posts
 
If you like your system as is, I would not sell it. The loss is simply too great. Also I would not use an ordinary stepdown transformer, although that would be the cheapest solution. They generally screw up the dynamics of your musical renderings. Of course if you can rewire the transformers in your units, fine..that would be the easiest way. Otherwise, I'd rather invest in a PS Audio 300,US version, which you can buy used even here on Audiogon. There is an internal switch, which you can set to 220VAC and it will happily feed your gear at a 120...and you even have the advantage of clean and pristine power. You need NOT to worry about the frequency of the powerline at Singapore, as Sqjudge has suggested, because the PS Audio takes care of that. You will kill two birds with ones stone: You need not worry about power and your system will sound better. You can inform yourself about the PS Audio products at www.psaudio.com .
Cheers and regards,
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