Help for Australian friend??? Please!!

[scm]

Hi all,

I am ready to purchase a pioneer VSX82TXS from the US for use over here in Australia. I checked the specs to find out the supply voltage, which states 110V 60Hz, which is obvious to you guys, as this owners manual is directed to USA purchasers, in australia we run with 240Volt supply. I have contacted pioneer USA to find out if this product is rated at 110-240v which in my experience after having purchased many electronic items from the US and this has usually been the case, I was directed to 2 different departments and after umming and arring and a 15minute overseas phonecall, the fellow just read what I had already read in the specs "no sorry it is only 110 volts".
Is there anyone out there that can possibly inform me if this product is rated to 240V supply voltage please, before I waste my cash on something that won't work here in Australia. There maybe a voltage select switch like on some brands located on the back, or some learned person may just know.
Thanks to all our American friends.
Regards
Scott from Oz.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Most gear sold here in the USA is configured only for 110V/60hz. There are a few retailers who specialize in dual voltage unit. Most of the dual voltage stuff is high end separate type gear. Buying a receiver from the US is an awfully long way to go to get a receiver. I could understand doing this for some high end separates but for a receiver!

 

[AVRat]

Sorry, the back panel only reads 120V - 60Hz with no switchability to 240V.

 

[scm]

Thanks for the reply guys,
Unfortunately for us living so geographically isolated from the rest of the world, we don't get a varied choice of the fine electronics that you lucky people do and that's why I have to shop in the USA and other countries for leading edge equipment. Purchasing expensive items from the USA is far cheaper than buying here in Australia, take the AVR-3806 which retails here for US$1800+ and that's the best price I could get, beleive it or not!!!

I am also a marine aquarist and (without sounding egotistical) am way way ahead of the technology here in Australia, simply due to talking with my US buddies and getting ideas and equipment from your country from forums etc like this fine one!
I can use a step down transformer to convert from 240V to 110V with no problems (I hope) so I guess this is a solution to an ongoing problem.

Any smart import/exporters out there, the money is there to be made, exporting to us technology starved Aussies!!

Thanks again...
Scott.

 

[xboxweasel]

At least you can get the Yamaha NS8HX speakers down under. They are not available in the states. I managed to get a pair in Canada though.

 

[MACCA350]

I can use a step down transformer to convert from 240V to 110V with no problems (I hope) so I guess this is a solution to an ongoing problem.

scm, I'm thinking of doing the same for the Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player(I can get one sent for AU$650 shipped) since I found out the Panasonic Blue-ray player to be released here will retail for AU$2,749 in November(my vent) and no word yet of and Australian HD-DVD

The Toshiba can get away with a 120W transformer, but I wouldn't use anything less than a 1000W transformer for a receiver, some decent prices on Ebay. I found this 1000W for US$40 and their 15000W for US$350 Compare that to an Australian store AU$340 for 1000W

When I build I'll add a 110V circuit throughout the house

cheers

 

[mike c]

we the 220v folk.

players are no problem for transformers ...
but I read a chart once that anything converted from 220v to 110 or vice versa needed a bigger transformer than what the unit actually needs

 

[MarkH]

Thanks for the reply guys,
Unfortunately for us living so geographically isolated from the rest of the world, we don't get a varied choice of the fine electronics that you lucky people do and that's why I have to shop in the USA and other countries for leading edge equipment.
Scott.

As somebody who lives in Australia, I find that remark quite wrong and rude to be honest, and not indictative of what it is like here in Oz, technologically-speaking. Methinks the original poster is simply trying to save a few bucks, which I have no problem with, but dont disguise it like all you can buy over here is 78s and 8-track.

 

[mike c]

not trying to put down where we live but when all the new techs arrive at the US earlier than everywhere else ... (6 months-1 year) I'd have to agree that we really dont have the tons of choices those in the US have ... sure, there are local suppliers for everything but the cost severely cramps the choices.

 

[scm]

To Mark H.
A true blue Aussie, would not have taken offence. FYI I am a project manager who has invented and Patented 3 tools for the Electrical Trade and sold 1 of them to a US Company because Australia did not want anything to do with it, unfortunately like many talented Aussies.
Yes you are correct, I am trying to save a few bucks, what is wrong with that, it is the intelligent way to go! If you do your homework "paddy" you will agree that we do not have these products in Australia and after speaking with Pioneer Australia, they cannot tell me when they will.
All I have written is 3 posts and it takes a psuedo aussie wannabe to ruin my experience on this site, all for a tongue in cheek comment.
Get a life loser, go back to Ireland.
Sorry if I have offended anyone else.
Bye for now
Scott

 

[scm]

To MACCA350,

Thanks for your constructive input, I have sussed out the retail price for step down tx's and your correct $339 is the best price, again I will be going to the US to purchase this as well!
Cheers mate...
Scott.

 

[JoeE SP9]

To scm;
I had no idea gear was so expensive down under. Although most of the world seems to hate the US (not you Aussies) we do have some advantages. What kind of money does high end gear go for down under? What would be the cost of something like a Krell, Mark Levinson or a Conrad Johnson power amp or preamp? I'm kind of curious after what you said a receiver was going for.