US audio equipment overseas?

[steve simko]

I am relocating to New Zealand from the US. Can I use my USA audio equipment(110v - 60Hz) in New Zealand(230v-50Hz) with voltage converters? My audio receiver is Yamaha RXZ-9. My speakers are the supertower series by Definitive Technology.
Thanks for that,
Cheers

Steve Simko

 

[jaxvon]

As long as you get a transformer that has sufficient amperage ratings, you should be fine. Just make sure that you get at least a 15-amp one (15 amps for the 120v output), if not a 20 amp one.

 

[9f9c7z]

Depending on how long you will be in NZ for, you may consider dumping your AC current equipment and buying new stuff there. I’m kicking around a 2-year contract in Japan. If it happens, I will dump my brand new processor and amps, taking the loss, and then buying whatever is current when I return to the States. Of course, living in Japan is a different lifestyle that for the most part does not afford listening to high-watt audio. You may want to consider where you will be living in NZ, will you have the ability to listen to your system as it is now?

 

[saurabh]

Okay since you know that NZ is 230v-50Hz, you should also know that the TV format is PAL there so unless your video equipment supports both PAL/NTSC and its conversion (since you would have bought NTSC DVD's) it wont work there. And for all your equipment you would have to buy a 230v to 110v convertor. (unless you have that 110-220 voltage switch at the back of your equipment for switching equipment voltages)

 

[sjdgpt]

Your 50Hz versus USA 60Hz is going to be a major problem for DVD/CD players as Hz=Clock Speed.

And Clock Speed determines playback speed.

There are NO Hz converters on the market for consumer/home applications.


By the way, take your speakers, no problem running them off any receiver compliant with local power requirements.

 

[jaxvon]

Huh? Why would an optical player use the freqency of the powerline to regulate clock speed? That seems like it'd be stupid. I dunno, but my gut feeling tells me you're wrong.

Idea: Though they are expensive, you could get an Equitech balanced power transformer that is made for NZ. They will customize it to take NZ power in and give you US power out. But still, they aren't cheap

 

[sjdgpt]

The optical portion is the reader.

The speed of the disc (play back) is determined by the circuits of the unit. Unless the unit has a built in clock (and I don't mean a clock display), the circuits will be line Hz sensitive.

There is equipment on the market that is dual speed ... my first CD player that had a 50/60 switch. Don't see many consumer products with Hz switching these days.

 

[Kiwi]

Welcome to NZ ! you do need to ensure that your equipment will work upside down

Unless you have a high end DVD player I would not bother bringing it as DVD players are very cheap here. If you love your Big Yammie you should bring it as high end AMPs can be quite expensive.

Have a look at www.trademe.co.nz to get an idea of 2nd hand prices here.

Good Luck with your move

Dave

 

[steve simko]

thanks for your input

FYI - I also talked with my Def Tech distributor and he said no problem as far as the speakers are concerned. The Yamaha tech(US) also said no problem. The recurring question or concern was that I provide a large enough converter to handle the power requirements needed. As I am building a new residence with a home theater room, I have been advised that I can wire 110v next to the kiwi 230v receptacles and make a conversion at the main panel. I am looking into this option. The price difference between US and New Zealand is large enough to justify going through all the effort. I am purchasing a sony 60" grand wega and Pioneer DVS969 in New Zealand because of the PAL(DVD player converts both NTSC and PAL). Thanks for your input.