Guidance for choosing step down transformer for audio gear
I am getting ready to move from the US to Switzerland (120v to 220v) and am putting together my plan for being able to use my current gear with the use of a step down transformer. Most of the details and information needed I have been able to pull off of manufacturer sites and other audio focused forums such as this one but have been unable to find a definitive answer on what wattage of a transformer should be used.
My gear list and max power consumption is listed below:
Amp - NAD M10 500w Analog Source - Acoustic Signature Primus Turntable 22w Phono Stage - Lehman Black Cube SE 3w Speakers - GoldenEar Triton 2+ 1200w
I currently have all of my gear plugged into a Panamax MR4300 which I would like to continue to use for the additional protection and makes cable management a bit easier, (this is why I have the Primus, NAD, and Phono listed above even though you would find that they are 220v compatible if you checked).
The total power consumption is an easy enough addition of 2,925 watts, where I run into my problem is picking what maximum watt rating for the stepdown transformer is best. I have seen posts that recommend everything from a max wattage to just over the total max power consumption summation to 2x the total all the way up to 6x the total power consumption number. This brings me to my main question of what is the best calculation to use for total gear being used and max wattage rating of the stepdown transformer?
Additionally, the Panamax is protected by a 15 amp fuse or 1800w max consumption (120v x 15 amp), since all of the gear above doesn't current trip the fuse what is the correct way to add up the total power consumption of a set up since I know the gear isn't using their max power draw at all times since that would be significantly over the spec of the 15 amp fuse in the Panamax and even the 20 amp breaker that the outlet pulls from.
Appreciate any guidance on this as I have been unable to find the answer through research.
I could give you a detailed answer, and being practically the only guy here with actual hands on experience from having used one of these things for several decades it would be good solid info. But I just get so sick and tired of then having to put up with all the ignorant blather and its so depressing as it always turns out people vote rather than think and the blatherers out-vote me a hundred to one. So do a search, read my comments, and then if you still have any questions (which you won't, I've explained all this in excruciating detail) please do ask. Off-line, where we won't have to put up with the blatherers.
how do I contact you privately? I promise not to be a blatherer. I just imported what appears to be gray market audio gear. It was expensive even though sold for about half the retail price in the US, so I don’t want to put a foot wrong by buying the wrong sort of transformer, I would appreciate guidance from someone experienced with using these step down transformers.
I found this on the Golden Ear site. I find it a bit weird that they say you can snip easily, but to return requires a technician and high end soldering equipment. That does not make a lot of sense, but they may be just trying to scare people away. They also suggest 1500VA as suitable for 2 units, so my 3000VA for everything you have, and maybe even 2000VA is reasonable.
That is strange and I saw that on the GE forum so I contacted them directly and was told the two options would be to replace the 120v amps in the towers with 240v amps that they sell directly but am not comfortable doing that kind of internal amp swap myself.
I have been considering getting something like this but have a significant concern that the unit has a simple button switch to go from 120 to 240 output.
As for the NAD I am certainly going to reach out to determine if this is an internal auto switch or if something else needs to be done, looking all around the unit and through the manual I do not see anything.
I'm starting to wonder if the best course would be to buy the 240v internal amps for the GoldenEars and have someone local professionally install them before I leave would be the best course. The transformer being continuously on and drawing power was not something that I had considered before and I know there are plenty of protectors/conditioners out there that are rated for 240v.
If you are using an isolation/Step down transformer, if the transformer is loaded past about 50% of its capacity it will begin to make significant distortion on its output.
Its the 5th harmonic of the line frequency that becomes problematic- this harmonic causes power transformers to rattle, motors to have poor torque, diodes to radiate more noise. To avoid that you apply the 2x rule- it should not be tasked beyond 50% of its rated capacity.
Thank you for the thread recommendation, I had a chance to look though it and it has some very helpful links and comments even though it seems to start to get off track after a bit.
the spec listed on the back of the NAD is "100-120V~, 200-240V~, 50/60Hz, 500W"
Owner’s manual mentions only different power cords with different plugs. It does not mention any switch to go between 110 and 220. Still, check it all around that there is none. (The way I learned about different voltages around the world and what that little 110/220 switch hiding in the battery compartment was for. It smelled like burned plastic.)
thank you for the overview, the 2x rule for max power consumption is a figure I have seen quoted in other posts so with the gear listed in my original post the 2x factor for getting a transformer would be approx. 6000 watt capability.
dannad,
the spec listed on the back of the NAD is "100-120V~, 200-240V~, 50/60Hz, 500W" so I do believe that it is safe to use on the native power supplies both here and in Switzerland.
The limiting factor here I believe is the GoldenEars as they are rated only for 120v power supply (The 220v version is a separate class D amp) so using the Panamax with a transformer is more of a way to simplify where every thing is plugged into rather than needing multiple outlets and protector/conditioners.
In case you have not stumbled on it yet, this thread has comments from more than one person who has done it. You can learn about France while looking for those posts, too.
+10% is customary and listed in my Benchmark AHB2, but M10 specification or back panel says nothing. They don't even mention frequency. I'm sure it works at 50Hz, but no specification available. If we assume that NAD would be completely safe at 230V then I wouldn't bother with additional piece (transformer) and simply sell Panamax (<$300). In Switzerland I would get something similar or better for 230V (tight non-sacrificial protection). Transformer is a headache and might limit choices in future, not only by limiting total power available, but also because most of the gear sold in Switzerland will be 230V only. Such gear can be plugged directly into wall, but then what Panamax is for? Another protector/conditioner for 230V? Perhaps operation at 50% of max voltage is safer, but Switzerland is a very civilized country - they don't have lightning :)
goldenear, standard voltage in Switzerland is 230V 50Hz (not 220V) - only 4% lower than max 240V rated for the NAD - not safe. With transformer it will operate at <50% of max rated voltage (most of Europe had 220V while UK had 240V. Now Europe is adhering to 230V standard - a compromise).
I could give you a detailed answer, and being practically the only guy here with actual hands on experience from having used one of these things for several decades it would be good solid info. But I just get so sick and tired of then having to put up with all the ignorant blather and its so depressing as it always turns out people vote rather than think and the blatherers out-vote me a hundred to one. So do a search, read my comments, and then if you still have any questions (which you won't, I've explained all this in excruciating detail) please do ask. Off-line, where we won't have to put up with the blatherers.
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