UK voltage vs US

[univalve1234]

Does it make a difference in tone running amps in different voltages? Im running my amp at 240v here in the UK If i plugged my 50 watt kit in a stepdown transformer after rewiring the PT for 120 vots , would it sound different?
thanks

[demonufo]

Well, if the voltages coming out of the secondaries on the PT remain the same after switching the tap on the primaries, there shouldn't be any difference.

But do you really want that extra transformer in your power supply? I certainly wouldn't. The only thing it can affect by using a different tap is by the voltage in the secondaries rising or dropping. There are better ways to drop the voltages for sure.

However, with all that said, you will notice no more difference by doing this, than you will notice from the wall voltage rising and falling as it does throughout the day I suspect. So this might just be a pointless exercise.

The other possible factor is the current capability of the dropdown transformer may not deliver as easily as it will without it, which could in theory induce a bit of sag, as the voltages will drop as the current "maxes out" so to speak.

[univalve1234]

thanks for the answer
I was only asking cause im thinking of getting an UA with the 100 volt tap option in which case i would have to rewire the amp for 120 operation.
"There are better ways to drop the voltages for sure"
Can you elaborate?
thanks again

[Roe]

marshalls are infamous for sounding better at euro voltages than us voltages.

[elronhoover]

marshalls are infamous for sounding better at euro voltages than us voltages.

Thats interesting, does the 50hz vs. 60hz factor into this at all?

Dave

[demonufo]

marshalls are infamous for sounding better at euro voltages than us voltages.

Thats interesting, does the 50hz vs. 60hz factor into this at all?

Dave

I'm only guessing but I should imagine the frequency plays the bigger part in this if it is true, in which case, it would be irrelevant as compared to transforming from 240 to 120 than back up to the voltages in the secondary windings. But this is an unnecessary extra link in the tonal chain IMO.

I was only asking cause im thinking of getting an UA with the 100 volt tap option in which case i would have to rewire the amp for 120 operation.

Ahhhh, now we get the full story, I understand a little better.

Im running my amp at 240v here in the UK If i plugged my 50 watt kit in a stepdown transformer after rewiring the PT for 120 vots , would it sound different?
thanks

Possibly, but nowhere near as differently as it will sound by then supplying it with only 100 volts. Do a little research on variacs and brown sound before deciding to go down this route.

"There are better ways to drop the voltages for sure"
Can you elaborate?

There are several threads on here going into this. I'll try and help later. Right now it's gone midnight and I need sleeeeepppzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Swerve]

Is there anything that HAS to be changed in the Plexi 50 for European (Finland) usage other than changing the power transformer primary to use the 240VAC tap?

[elronhoover]

Is there anything that HAS to be changed in the Plexi 50 for European (Finland) usage other than changing the power transformer primary to use the 240VAC tap?

Change the mains fuse to half the value that it is for 120vac..

Dave

[PCollen]

Does it make a difference in tone running amps in different voltages? Im running my amp at 240v here in the UK If i plugged my 50 watt kit in a stepdown transformer after rewiring the PT for 120 vots , would it sound different?
thanks

I ran an amp on a 220>110 step down transformer while in Germany years ago and it worked and sounded fine. The 50Hz caused it to hum a little more, or maybe it was transformer induced hum, but nothing to get concerned about.

[paulster]

You're likely to get a bit more sag on 120V than 240V because the power transformer is tapped and not overly well specified, so you're only using half of the primary winding at 120V and trying to pull twice the current through it, whereas it'll be more generous with current supply at 240V.

A lot of new amps use dual primaries and put them in parallel for 120V or series for 240V for this reason, since it's cheaper than effectively over specifying the transformer for the benefit of the 120V countries.