2. misc-audio
  3. 128338-4692

Which sounds best, 120 volts, or 240 volts?

I read all these reviews and comments that say how a new power cord can make a system sound better! Or different. With just a tiny adjustment, just a few feet of wire making audiable differences. I'm not disputing that, but it raises the question, can you hear the difference between a system powered by 120 volts here in the US, from a system in Europe that runs on 240? Surely that's a huge difference that should be immediately noticable. However it is hard to get a side by side comparison, most components needing internal adjustments to convert from one to the other, and of course the changing of input current. Different frequency too! From 60hz here to 50hz there, these have got to be major differences compared to swapping a cable? Any of you jet setters out there have an opinion on this? Do you prefer the sound on one side of the pond to the other? 
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Showing 1 response by folkfreak

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folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@cleeds I presumed @joeylawn36111 meant the case of a component designed for dual voltage operation (or switchable between the two) in which case for a given power draw the current will halve as the voltage doubles. Of course if you plug a 110v only device into a 220v outlet then all sorts of fireworks might ensue as it does draw the same current

@joeylawn36111 you may also enquire as to whether the plug sorts used in Eurpoean mains setups are also superior - frankly US based mains plugs are some of the flimsiest around (I’m originally from the U.K. so am used to the super beefy British plugs)

ps pretty good summary of this topic here

 

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