International usage...

U

Unregistered

Guest
Hello all, I was hoping someone here would be able to answer a few questions for me. I'm looking at buying the Yamaha RX-v2400, but before I do I need to make sure it will work where I live. I'm currently living in Europe, but want to buy the US version of this receiver as it's 1/2 the cost of the same unit in Europe... I'll be going back to the US for vacation so I was planning on bringing it back with me when I return so I won't have to pay the high shipping costs... anyway...

So... here are my questions! :)

1) The US model only supports 120vAC, so I would need to connect it to a power converter that I'm already using for my TV (2000 volt converter). It changes 220vAC to 120vAC. The main question I have is 220 runs at 50 hz but 120 runs at 60 hz, will this cause a problem? It's not a problem with my HDTV, but I'm not sure if it would affect audio performance in any way.

2) The general model has a switch to change the FM frequency between 100 mhz and 50 mhz, where as the US model only uses 100 mhz. With this in mind, would that mean I wouldn't be able to pickup radio signals here in Europe?

Thanks in advance!!

-Arron
 
Malice

Malice

Enthusiast
FWIW, I believe US designed reciever sections will NOT pick up European FM signals.

The 50/60Hz question is a bit more complex and you get different answers from different manufacturers. When designing amplifiers I gather that multiples of the operating frequency particulary, 100Hz for 50Hz mains and 120Hz for 60Hz mains, prodice what is referred to as either 100Hz or 120Hz "hum". Designers will use filters/capacitors (?) to minimse this hum. Some designs will filter one frequncy only if the unit is destined for a single country, which means that if it is used on a step down transformer on a different frequency, the other "hum" frequency could appear.

On the other hand you may get the designer filtering out both frequencies because it could mean reduced manufacturing costs if they supply power units around the globe.

I recently asked Denon about using their US 5803 unit in the UK. Answer: Receiver won't work but there is no problem with the frequncy change when using a stepdown transformer, even though it is generally accepted that 60Hz equipment running on a 50Hz supply will run hotter than normal.

HTH.
 
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U

Unregistered

Guest
So basicly if your not in the US, expect to pay 2+ times the price. :(

Well... the search continues for me.... thanks for the help.

-Arron
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
After thinking about it a bit further, PLEASE CORRECT ME if I'm wrong; when they say the unit has a switch to change between 100 hz and 50 hz for the radio selection that would mean that if the radio station is at for example 95.10 then the US branded version would work, but if the radio station was at 95.15 then it wouldn't correct?

If this is the case then the only down side to this unit for use in Europe would be the 50/60hz humm (assuming that it even exists). I'm not sure what it's like in the UK or else where in Europe, but in France radio stations are xx.x0.

Again, please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

-Arron
 
Malice

Malice

Enthusiast
1) I don't know. I suggest you get clarification from the manufacturer.
2) The 100 Hz Hum effect (on 50 Hz mains) and 120 Hz hum on 60 Hz mains is a real effect. There are numerous articles on the phenomenon in amplifier design.

So I cannot be of further help.
 
Yamahaluver

Yamahaluver

Audioholic General
Hi,

The tuner I bought in the US doesnt work here in India so I would assume it wouldnt work in Europe either.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
By not work you mean you aren't able to tune radio stations or it's not able to function completly? If just the radio isn't working, what are the radio stations in India? IE 98.10 or 98.15?
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
Also...

When you said that a Denon receiver wouldn't work in the UK, how are your radio stations there setup? IE 98.10 or 98.15? My theory is that the "general" model allows for a finer level of tuning from the US branded model.

PS I just found the register link... heading there now. :)

-Arron
 
Malice

Malice

Enthusiast
All I can do is give you Denon's reply...

"The AC line HZ does not matter. The only thing that will not work is the tuner. The radio frequencies are different"

As far as I can see looking at frequency ranges, the US is the same as the UK, broadly, with FM between +/- 88 Mhz to 107 Mhz usually with a XX.X i.e one tenth of a Mhz resolution. So I don't know why Denon should tell me differently. They're the experts!! But I'll ask them why they think it won't work!

===================================

The answer.....

"As long as the frequencies are the same then it will work."

:rolleyes:
 
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U

Unregistered

Guest
International Purchase

I am going through similar thoughts here in Brussels, trying to decide how much to spend on something to resell in 2 years, or use transformer on either now or later. Have you explored the possibility of whether Denon dealers are able to swap out power supplies (or other brands)?
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
Hi there
I bought Yamaha-5750 in the US recently and moved to India. This unit also works only on 110V/60Hz. However, I used a stepdown transformer (converts only voltage, not Hz.) to convert the 220 to 110. It worked nicely. No hum, nothing. I feel once the power enters the unit it will be converted to DC like in most of the electronic goods including PCs. Once it is converted to DC there is no meaning for Hz as the poles are constant in DC. So, there is no question of hum in my opinion. I may be wrong as I do not have much experience in receivers or amplifiers.
Surprisingly my AM tuner (in the receiver) doesn't tune (I don't get any stations tuned eventhough the display says "tuned" for several frequencies. However, FM worked well with some noice (this may be due to the location of my house).
I have a question here regarding the power consumption. I am using a stepdown transformer which is rated 300W max. I am really afraid whether this is enough for my system or not. I am using JBL SC160SI speakers (6.1). The speakers are rated 100W RMS each, subwoofer 150W RMS. The receiver's output per channel 90W RMS. I am connecting subwoofer to one of the AC outlet's of the receiver (says 100W max). The receiver manual says "power consumption 350W". My question is "does the receiver consumes 350W + (90WX6) + 150W of power in total?" I don't know how RMS rating is related to actual power consumption. Please suggest me what capacity converter I should use. I used 300W converter just to check whether system works or not (only for 30 min).
ND Reddy
 
J

joelincoln

Junior Audioholic
Don't go by the rated audio power. Refer to the sticker on the back of the unit that lists AC power used. That is the maximum power your unit will draw regardless of audio settings.

And don't be surprised if this is less than the sum of all maximum audio outputs.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
Thank you for the reply. The sticker says 350W. Is it the stand alone power consumption by the receiver? or it includes AC outlet (100W max) and power sent to the speakers? I think it includes the power sent to the speakers also because it is the amplifier's business to send the power to the speakers.
Yamaha guys did not answer my questions. They just simply said "we don't have details on the power output of each channel".
Thanks
ND Reddy
 
J

joelincoln

Junior Audioholic
Again, the rated power of each channel is IRRELEVANT if you want to determine what the max power consumption is of the unit.

If the plate in the back by the power cord says 100W, then that's all the unit will ever dissipate as maximum continuous power.
 
H

happy540i

Junior Audioholic
Regarding your problem between 50Hz and 60Hz, the power supply of the Yamaha was design to produce a certain DC output based on the 60 Hz frequency AC input from the line. You will not get the actual specs. that the unit was design for because the power supply would not be able to support the power requirements of the power amplifier stage. There is also the possibility of noise(hum). Regarding the tuner, you can buy a tuner in Europe and plug it into the Yamaha.
 
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