Audio innovations voltage help needed/Newcomer needs advice please!

Hello everyone,i hope ime in the right place for some badly needed help!
Audio innovations 200 series pre & power 12w-
I know that they built many systems for the
european market and i just happen to have one.
Trouble is i am on 247v and this is rated 220v (europe)
Am i right in thinking that the over voltage supply of 27v
will make the valves work harder and decrease there lifespan
quicker.
I dont have a manual for them and i cant see a seperate voltage
selector to alter this easily.
Ime suspecting the power transformer is just a 220v or
are there other taps on there to re-configure the input to UK 240+.
I was thinking perhaps a Border patrol supply would get around
this but my budget is too tight at the moment for this.
Can anyone help and advise me.
Thanks..

 

I don't know but welcome, MT.

I would say you are (IMO) right to be cautious; if your stuff is made to work at 220v and your getting 247....

Someone will be along in a seccy.








David

 

Hi im'e back again !
I found a Guy in Aus called Dr Bob,
He is selling DIY Valve dvds and in this one he comments on
220v - 240v non nominal voltages and how to make a simple step down transformer without spending $100-$150
Trouble is it would cost me $99 + P+P to get this info?
Please scroll down his ebay add-(hope this works?)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=260209688238&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

 

Hi David !Thanks For being my first reply,appreciated.
Steve...

 

Hi, get in touch with David Wright at Pure Music, 01903 715191. He has the European service franchise for Audio Innovations and Border Patrol.
Hope this helps.

Graham.

 

W0w Thats Brilliant Graham!
Il'e phone him tomorrow,he could be my saviour,
Thank You.

 

I managed to find this vintage step down 240v-220 info!

This could be the answer for Euro to UK voltage differences?
@ 27volts ish
Thoughts and comments much appreciated.

Vintage Voltage Adapter Article by R G Keen.
ive not cut and pasted this in as he has copyrighted diagrams
However here is the link to the page.
Please have a browse.

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/vintvolt/vintvolt.htm

 

I'm no sparky.

I would not suggest a diy route here.

The Aussies seem to make some products that do this - a company called Tortech - see picture below - input 240v and ouputs 220v

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/df69/DSCF0755.jpg


This is their website but there has to be similar stuff available in the UK
http://www.tortech.com.au/

 

Hi Kmac, thanks for browsing this over for me.
Yes i had found Tortech and the photo of the model that the
guy had for sale( steal at $80! pity its been sold)

It seems a long way to go for one though? you would have thought a UK
Manufacturer would supply something similar,maybe there is more
need for these in Australia .

 

Well i managed to have a really informative chat with David Wright
who really could not approve of using a DIY step down transformer
safely allthough they do work and can do very well.

David tells me that very few Audio innovations amps were
produced at 220v for the Euro market and that of those some
were fitted with additional 240v taps disconnected and others
were just dedicated 220v--------Guess which ive got ?

Sods law !!!

David says that if anything the amp will run better with the increase of 27v ---Valves enjoying the extra voltage etc,
For a while at least?
Downside is it will decrease there lives by around 30%
So valves will need replaicing every 2 years or so rather than 3.

The output transformers will of course be running hot or hotter!
but that they should be able to accomodate the extra heat as they are rated higher
in there materials and construction so this shouldnt be a problem.
New transformers rated at the correct 240 voltage he estimates around £80 to £100 each.
and i have 2 of them of course.

So its Life in the fast lane i suppose,for every positive theres a negative!

Also that i am to check the first capacitor in the line to be
hopefully 450v rated rather than maybe a nominal 300v
which would be working a bit close to the limit.

A border supply PSU would help smooth the voltage but on the heater side i would still have the same problem as i have currently
(no pun intended haha)

So i guess its life in the fast lane?

At least until i hear from Tortech!!

 

With the Tortech stuff you still have to muck around with funny shaped plugs ( Aussie ones I guess).

 

Yes Kmac id'e noticed that round plug ,first type like that ive seen!
strange?
I mailed Tortech who also do a 240v balanced audio power supply
to clean up the mains noise for hi fi applications,
which looks interesting.
I have asked for details for this and for the 240v-220v
voltage transformer which i cant see any details of on there
official web site?
No reply as yet.
Then again they are probably out shooting cane toads in
there night time vigilante cane toad gear,complete with Fosters hip flasks.
(being upside down to us so to speak)
I will let you know what they tell me.
Cheers!