[JensL]

Hi all!

I'm thinking about getting myself a tube amp for my phones,
and the MG Head looks most interesting as I don't want to spend too much....yet.

But it is difficult to find the MG Head here in Norway, so I hope to find a used one here on these forums, but most here are the 110 volt types.

Is it difficult to convert the power supply from 110 volts to my 230 volts (~50 Hz, I think)?

I'm not very experienced with a soldering iron.

Regards
Jens

 

[Budgie]

The schematic makes it look like that would involve changing the transformer or adding an exsternal voltage converter. However, I would E-mail or PM Joe Lau, who can be found on these forums occasionally. He is the manufacturer.
schematic-
http://www.tubehifi.com/Circuit/C_HEAD.JPG

 

[JensL]

I checked with Joe Lau, and he says the conversion can't be done.
Apparently the 110 volt version does not have a tap for 230 volts?

Well, I guess I must do some serious searching for a used 230 volt version.
Damn, the prices here were good...

Regards
Jens

 

[Nisbeth]

You could ask around for the price of a 220/110 V transformer. I'm sure an MG Head draws very little current, so it doesn't have to cost you any vital body parts to get a converter

/U.

 

[JensL]

Yeah, I have been thinking about that, Nisbeth.

But wouldn't the transformer need to be at least as high quality as the original powersupply to prevent loss of sound quality?
And therefore very expensive?

Or maybe there's some different rules for the transformer?

Regards
Jens

 

[stereth]

As far as I know, the main problem with power supplies is AC to DC conversion. AC to AC (which is what you're looking for) doesn't have as many technical issues associated with it as AC to DC. So go ahead and get a stepdown transformer. I doubt you'll notice a difference. If you do, you can filter the 110 you get out of it.

 

[Chipko]

A 300W stepdown transformer can be had for about 400SEK here in sweden from www.kjell.com so it's probably the cheapest route.

 

[Nisbeth]

..and 300W is way more than necessary. If you can find a 50 or 100W I believe they would do just fine.

/U.


EDIT: if there are any Norwegian DIY-forums similar to the swedish www.hififorum.nu, try posting an ad there. These things are often something people have lying around. No need to buy it brand new.

 

[Joe Lau]

50W is OK