Changing from European to American power supply on clearaudio emotion TT


Recently I purchased a clearaudio emotion TT on eBay from a European seller for what I thought was a great price. However, upon arrival I realized that it's motor is rigged for European voltage and not compatible with American voltage. NChanging a power chord did not fix the issue as the platter spins at somewhere near 40 rpm which leaves records sounding like the chipmunks. Is it possible to change the motor? Is there anyone familiar with clearaudio products that could let me know what solutions are available? eBay issued a no fault refund to both me and the seller so I essentially got the TT for free but I would really love to get it up and running as it would be a massive upgrade for me.

Cheers and thanks for reading,

Shane

oldshanelistens

Not sure about the specific Clearaudio model you have but sometimes there is a way to change the voltage internally on turntables. If you have the means to open the underside or wherever you can gain access to the motor area, you might get lucky and see a voltage adjustment switch. On older turntables in the 70/80s it was readily available on turntables we bought in Europe from the military post exchanges. 
 

Is it an external power supply? If so, then also check the power supply to see if you can switch it. I had the same issue with an external power supply but had to take my power supply to a general electronics electrician to get the conversion. 
 

Not sure if a motor change is required if you can switch the voltage in the on board or external power supply. 

 

You probably need a transformer to supply 240V tor the table (european voltage), however the AC frequency in Europe is 50Hz vs. US 60Hz and this might be a problem.

BTW, you did not know about difference in AC power in US and Europe?

It seems that  you are happy about having it for nothing. Wow! Nice moral compass.

knock1

... the AC frequency in Europe is 50Hz vs. US 60Hz and this might be a problem ...

It looks like the Clearaudio uses a synchronous motor so that's going to be an issue unless perhaps he can change the motor pulley.

There are voltage conversion systems available that will convert 110V to 220v but they require your plugging into two separate outlets that are out of phase to each other.

This could be very awkward because the required out of phase outlet might be quite a distance away.

 

Transformers don't change frequency.  The best suggestion you've been offered is to change pully's.  that requires that either you can calculate the right pully size and bets or the OEM has done it for you.  A bit tricky as the effective diameter of the pully is its rolling diameter that might be slightly different than it's measured diameter.  good luck.

Jerry

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Long time since I posted, but anyway I have the same set up , I use a Clearaudio 

Smart Synchro 230v model. Years ago (2018) a 120v motor was 500.00 $ or more,

I also lucked up and found the Marantz version (TT-15S1) for parts or repair for 700.00 $, purchased it for the motor (the only difference I noticed other than the 

voltage is one has a removable metal base ring) and it worked.

@OP The pulleys on that generation of Clearaudios were either an interference fit or else secured with a small delrin grubscrew - so at least they are easy to get off. You'll need someone good at maths to calculate the new size to account for the change in mains frequency and a good precision engineer to make a new one. And you'll need a 110 to 230v step up transformer. Clearaudio have moved over to DC quite a while ago so I would doubt you will be able to buy a replacement from them - and those motors can be quite expensive anyway.

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It's not so much the voltage as the frequency.  A step down transformer can address the voltage.  The frequency, not so much.

This table uses an AC synchronous motor whose rotational speed is determined by the incoming AC frequency (60Hz in the US, 50Hz in Europe).  

The only option is to change the pulley.  Of course, a new 120 VAC/60Hz motor would include the correct sized pulley.

There are voltage and frequency converters, but they are pricey.  Look here:

https://www.bondyexport.com/collections/powerxchanger-with-frequency-conversion

Origin live makes motor replacement kits. I had one shipped from the UK directly to me for an Acoustic Signature table whose power supply had died and was not worth endlessly repairing. It turned into a fun project and now use it as a 2nd table with a mono cartridge.

Likewise the SOTA Eclipse motor with speed control would probably make your Clearaudio better than ever, if the cost is not prohibiting.

You all sound like an Alice in Wonderland. The Mad Hatter says "Since you got it for free, stop wasting your money chasing the Rabbit. Just buy another Deck"

You're welcome!

Sell it back to the EU?  Otherwise, a potential bug chase....$s' unknown....

Another case of Buyer Beware/Look Hard Before Leap, always learned the hard way....so it seems....sorry that's your fate, @oldshanelistens 

I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to this thread.

 

Brightside is the satisfy tonearm is way better than what I have now. 

 

Darkside is unless I up my physics game quite a bit I don't think I will be able to figure out that pulley math. 

 

Selling back to EU also a sound idea as whatever money gained is filed in the plus column. 

 

Again thanks to all who responded.

The Marantz TT-15S1 uses the same motor as the clearaudio Emotion, you can replace the motor with 110V 60Hz model, part # 90M-PM100020R.