A question for technically astute

Hi Larry. Yes, it could be your step up transformer. When using a transformer, you need to over spec the transformer otherwise it will effect the sound in ways you mention. While this may be totally overkill, I wouldn't consider using one unless its capacity is 9 to 10 times that required by the amplifier. When over spec like that, they do not restrict the amp and serve to reduce the noise on the power lines.

You could could try a larger capacity xformer and see if it sound better or you could contact the vendor and see if the amplifier power transformer could be wired to 110v. I suggest you do the latter. Many amplifier transformers have multiple wiring options to accept 100, 115 and 220 volts.

Regards
Paul

Hi Larry. Sorry - misread your post.

The transformer is filtering out noise in the power lines. The short of that is that it translates to a B+ voltage in your amp with less noise and ripple.

That would not (to my knowledge) give you more dynamics or slam though, but it would allow the amp to resolve low-level detail a lot better.

I think the better dynamics and slam is probably due to your speaker presenting an easier load to the amp. Tube amps really come into their own when they drive speakers with benign impedance curves and good sensitivity. The difference between a well match tube amp/speaker setup vs. a not so good match is startling.

Regards
Paul

Mihalis, would you expand on "it is a commonly known fact between amp designers that 220-240V regions perform better with most of their designs"

thanks
Paul