Another option:
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
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. |
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 |
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. |
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@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. |
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. |
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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 |
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. |
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.
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