Will my Stereo work

[missy_antha 0]

I have a wonderful stereo ( consisting of Amp, CD Deck and tape deck. Could leave the tape deck here) and speakers that cost me a lot of money and I wanted to see if they would work in the USA.

I have looked around the site to try to find the answer to this but I couldn't really find anything

Even if I have to have it 'adapted' to suit the US voltage system it might still be worth it for me.

Sorry but technology is not my forte

[Kez/JWolf 6]

The voltage will be your problem.... it wont work on 110v and you are looking at a total change over of the whole power system, if you can find someone who can do this....

May be better to look for a new music system once you are here...

Kezzie

[YuAndDan 153]

Several things could be done to power your UK appliance.

1. Purchase a step up transformer, 110 --> 220 Needs to be a big one for the wattage of a stereo amplifier.
   
2. If buying a home have a 220 volt outlet installed where you will set up the stereo.
   
3. Check your equipment to see if they have replaceable cords, and a switch near the power cord labeled 110/220
   

NOTE: Also check to make sure the equipment is marked 50/60 hertz or cycles. USA is 60 hertz or cycles.

Your speakers will work on an North American stereo system and any component like CD, Tape, could if they have the 110/220 switch on them.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

How about sell all-but-the speakers, bring speakers to US and buy amp and CD-deck here?

[MrsWhizz 0]

YuandDan is correct. I have a guitar amp from UK that I couldn't live without. I bought a $13 transformer from an online site and it works as perfectly here as it did there. My question is about my hubby's computer. Any suggestions there?

[YuAndDan 153]

YuandDan is correct. I have a guitar amp from UK that I couldn't live without. I bought a $13 transformer from an online site and it works as perfectly here as it did there. My question is about my hubby's computer. Any suggestions there?

Computer is even easier, If laptop, the ac adapter will be marked 110-220 just plug it in. If desktop, look near where the power cord connects to the tower, some have a red switch, to change voltage from 220 to 110, and just buy a cord, others will auto switch for you, it will be marked like laptop 110/220 auto, and still others may need the power supply replaced if the computer is an ordinary tower a power supply can be bought at any electronics store for $40 - $60.

The monitor is another story, IF it is a large CRT, leave it behind and buy a new one here.

I hope this helps, I just so happen to be an MCSE and also A+ computer technician.

Edited September 13, 2006 by YuAndDan

[Saddle Bronc 124]

YuandDan is correct. I have a guitar amp from UK that I couldn't live without. I bought a $13 transformer from an online site and it works as perfectly here as it did there. My question is about my hubby's computer. Any suggestions there?

Computer is even easier, If laptop, the ac adapter will be marked 110-220 just plug it in. If desktop, look near where the power cord connects to the tower, some have a red switch, to change voltage from 220 to 110, and just buy a cord, others will auto switch for you, it will be marked like laptop 110/220 auto, and still others may need the power supply replaced if the computer is an ordinary tower a power supply can be bought at any electronics store for $40 - $60.

The monitor is another story, IF it is a large CRT, leave it behind and buy a new one here.....

especially considering that one can get a flat-panel LCD 48 cm (19") for around $200.

[Gtsnapper 0]

It's easier to use a step up transformer, you can buy them online for under $30.

Check out the wattage of your sterio before buying transformer, so you can get one with sufficent output, it should be written on the back of the unit.

Edited September 17, 2006 by Gtsnapper

[PlatyPius 5]

I hope this helps, I just so happen to be an MCSE and also A+ computer technician.

Oooooooo!

ROFLMFAO!

A+ = pay a few hundred dollars, take a test proving you know how to turn a computer on, where the Programs are on a Windows machine, and can click on the Outlook Express icon. Knows what a motherboard is, how to replace a CMOS battery, and can install memory.

MCSE = Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer = Being able to plan, install, and manage Server 2000/Server 2003, XP, and 2000.

Whoop.

"Behold! I summon the Powers of Certification!!!" (paraphrase from a Dilbert cartoon)

I have certs too. You know how much good they do right now in the current job market?

Zed Eee Are Oh.

[Adam M 0]

I have a wonderful stereo ( consisting of Amp, CD Deck and tape deck. Could leave the tape deck here) and speakers that cost me a lot of money and I wanted to see if they would work in the USA.

I have looked around the site to try to find the answer to this but I couldn't really find anything

Even if I have to have it 'adapted' to suit the US voltage system it might still be worth it for me.

Sorry but technology is not my forte

Hiya,

Just a quick note to say that the step-up transformers which have been suggested aren't great for high-end audio equipment. They will work, but you might notice a difference in sound quality if you have a sensitive ear. They also really f**k with the power supply of your amp!

A far better way, as was mentioned, is to get a 220v socket installed somewhere and use that. It's no sweat as all the lines are available anyway.

Or if you're smart, use the one that's in place for your washing machine/tumble dryer! It has a weird plug, but sure as heck you can get 220v out of it!!

Still, however, check the frequency the amp works on - 50 or 60 Hertz makes a big difference in the audio world!

Hope this helps.

Adam.

Edited September 18, 2006 by Adam M

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I have a wonderful stereo ( consisting of Amp, CD Deck and tape deck. Could leave the tape deck here) and speakers that cost me a lot of money and I wanted to see if they would work in the USA.

I have looked around the site to try to find the answer to this but I couldn't really find anything

Even if I have to have it 'adapted' to suit the US voltage system it might still be worth it for me.

Sorry but technology is not my forte

Hiya,

Just a quick note to say that the step-up transformers which have been suggested aren't great for high-end audio equipment. They will work, but you might notice a difference in sound quality if you have a sensitive ear. They also really f**k with the power supply of your amp!

A far better way, as was mentioned, is to get a 220v socket installed somewhere and use that. It's no sweat as all the lines are available anyway.

Or if you're smart, use the one that's in place for your washing machine/tumble dryer! It has a weird plug, but sure as heck you can get 220v out of it!!

Still, however, check the frequency the amp works on - 50 or 60 Hertz makes a big difference in the audio world!

Hope this helps.

Adam.

Sounds like you would agree with my "original" idea of "bring only the speakers, buy the rest here".

[Adam M 0]

Sounds like you would agree with my "original" idea of "bring only the speakers, buy the rest here".

I think so, yeah! But you'd be surprised how attached boys can get to their amps!!

Edited September 19, 2006 by Adam M

[missy_antha 0]

I'm a girl actually.

The whole thing with the correct wire - which apparently was ultra important - cost £700 so you can see why I didn't just want to bring the speakers with me

[PlatyPius 5]

Sell it. The cost of transporting that thing will be quite a bit. Not to mention the fact that electronics tend to be cheaper in the US, so you could get a better amp/receiver, CD, speakers, etc here and save yourself some money. $1200 isn't much for a stereo system, from an audiophile point of view. I spent more than that on just my speakers. If I were to move, I'd sell my system and buy a new one. *shrugs* It's a box of ICs and resistors; I have no attachment to it.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

We didn't want to part with our stereo either so we got a transformer for about $30 and it works fine -- you need to make sure you get the right one and don't overload it or you could have a fire