40W Tube Amp from Japan

Fingers Mcginty

Helo there me ould chieftains,
Need some advice importing an amp in from Japan. I know they're on different mains voltage/frequency over there. So if the amp is rated at 40 Watts what do i need to make this work?

Doctor J

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_with_mains_power_plugs,_voltages_and_frequencies

By the looks of it you'll need a step down transformer rated for 100V at either 50 or 60hz (depending which side of Japan your amp is from) with American sized sockets... if wiki ain't lying to us

Fingers Mcginty

Yeah saw that alright. Looks like i'll possibly be looking for a 300VA step down jobby. Anyone had any experience with these. Does it detract from the sound in any way using these or any other issues?

Don1

I don't know a whole lot about it in relation to amps, but transformed voltages can result in an impure signal and hence buzzing. High quality electronic wizzardry will give a fully rectified smooth signal. Just saying watch out is all!

Voodu Child

Ive got loads of amps running on a step-down without any noise issues, and these woul be high-gain amps where any noise issues would be more obvious.

Having said that, im using a high-quality bench transformer. I don't like the look of any 300watt transformer ive seen, most of them seem shielded in plastic, which probably doesnt help from an interference/noise point of view. I'd buy the best one you can afford, and think about a power-conditioner at some stage (this is a good idea whether the amp is imported or domestic)

Having said that, I've never bought any amps from Japan, and I don't see any reason to - there's rarely any saving to be made. I'd be interested to see what you're looing at, id wager it can be had cheaper elsewhere.

The Boarder Man

Google giveth:
http://www.airlinktransformers.com/japanese-transformers.asp

Advice at the end of the list.

I guess you'll need proper technical specs of the amp, e.g. the actual power consumption of the amp. I don't know how much this tends to vary from the output power but as an example you can see that Cube amps draw 3 or 4 watts more than their output.

Voodu Child

The Boarder Man wrote:

I guess you'll need proper technical specs of the amp, e.g. the actual power consumption of the amp. I don't know how much this tends to vary from the output power but as an example you can see that Cube amps draw 3 or 4 watts more than their output.

Airlink transformers don't reply to their emails last time I checked.

The OP has stated he needs a 300watt so I presume he's already clued into the requirements in any case.

A valve amp can draw 5+ times the rated nominal output FWIW.

The Boarder Man

voodoo_child wrote:

A valve amp can draw 5+ times the rated nominal output FWIW.

That's good to know.

Stupid inefficient valves. I suspect these guys are just trying to compensate for their broken heating systems. Or at least I suspect that's their excuse. :rolleyes:

Fingers Mcginty

the amp was a fender vibrolux custom reverb from ishi (600 including shipping)....not a bad price...ah well it's been snapped up now. I was a bit hesitant about having to lug around a xformer anyways. No worries....I'll look around a bit closer to home.

Killaqueen!!!

Am I right in saying that ishibashi do free shipping for their amps? (Or at least the fender ones I'm looking at)

Slightly off topic, I know, but I can't help with anything here..!

Voodu Child

Killaqueen!!! wrote:

Am I right in saying that ishibashi do free shipping for their amps? (Or at least the fender ones I'm looking at)

No.

Killaqueen!!!

voodoo_child wrote:

No.

Oh, it must just be with the ishibashi points card then.