Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Burson Amp Voltage Question
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Burson Amp Voltage Question

post #1 of 5
5/23/11 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 

I have been enjoying the Burson HA-160 amp a lot lately. But I'm a little confused about the voltage option, located on the back. The manual says that the option is between 120 or 240 volts. On the actual switch, however, the option is between 115 and 230. Is this a concern? Or is it about the same, not making it really matter? And in North America (Canada), I gather that I should keep the switch selected to 115?

 

What would/could happen if one runs it at a voltage that is not standard in one's country?

 

And importantly, does any of this make a sonic difference?

 

Sorry, I'm not very savvy regarding electrical matters. Thanks for your help.

Reply
post #2 of 5
5/23/11 at 7:38pm

How is it actually written in the manual?  "120/230 Vac" or "120-230Vac"?

 

If you don't actually have 240Vac on tap, trying to run the amp on the 230Vac setting using 120Vac wall power could result in some...interesting things happening.  Most of which you probably wouldn't like.

Reply
post #3 of 5
5/23/11 at 7:59pm

Typical American household voltage is referred to as 110V or 115V or 117V or 120 V. It's all usually the same. Actual voltage varies a bit, especially with utility power. The higher voltage is just double whatever terminology used for the lower voltage: 220V, 230V or 240V.

 

You are correct that the manual uses 120/240 volt terminology, while the switch on the amp use 115/230V. 115 and 120 volts are going to be the same. 230 and 240 volts are going to be the same.

Reply
post #4 of 5
5/23/11 at 8:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DemonicLemming View Post

trying to run the amp on the 230Vac setting using 120Vac wall power could result in some...interesting things happening.  Most of which you probably wouldn't like.


But it's the others he's looking forward to. tongue.gif

 

You people in North America are lucky. If you get a charge you only get thrown halfway across the room, whereas we get thrown all the way. Just one of the many joys of 240V.  
 

 

Reply
post #5 of 5
5/23/11 at 9:03pm

I get to play with three-phase 480Vac at work sometimes...we have a "power cord of death" that I call the "Baby Zapper" - like a bug zapper, just more potent.  You'd think working in the product safety field would involve safe things...

 

I know plugging a 240Vac item into 120Vac will typically blow the IEC fuse due to higher current draw, but I'm not sure quite what would happen if you plugged 120Vac into 240Vac.  Nothing beneficial, but assuming the transformer is an actual switching transformer (either of the 120-240Vac, or 120/240Vac variety), one might just see a severely under-current scenario.  I'll have to check with the electrical guys at work tomorrow.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by pp312 View Post




But it's the others he's looking forward to. tongue.gif

 

You people in North America are lucky. If you get a charge you only get thrown halfway across the room, whereas we get thrown all the way. Just one of the many joys of 240V.  
 

 



 


Edited by DemonicLemming - 5/23/11 at 9:07pm
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Burson Amp Voltage Question