don76 Posted July 16, 2019 Posted July 16, 2019 Just bought a Kenwood KA-8100. Apparently it's a USA 120v model and comes with a transformer. But what rating should this transformer be? Having a glance at Jaycar there seems to be a range. Starting to wonder if I just got a bargain, because I'm going to need to shell out a bunch for the transformer. In the product manual it says: "Power consumption......600watts at full power" So what do I need?
BATMAQN Posted July 17, 2019 Posted July 17, 2019 1 Kilowatt or 1010 watt should do the trick https://www.tortech.com.au/product/voltage-converters/step-down/isolated/isolated-american-step-down-transformer/ 2
Uglu Posted July 17, 2019 Posted July 17, 2019 Yep, probably 1000w to be on the safe side would be a good choice. Do keep in mind that most transformers you'll find are going to be 110V. If the amp is rated at 120V you should try to get a 120V trafo they are rarer but they do exist, you generally need to pay a bit more. A 110 trafo will work but it might affect the quality of the sound, not by a lot but it will still affect it as it is less voltage than what it was designed for. 1
AussieMick Posted July 17, 2019 Posted July 17, 2019 Tortech. Mine has been ultra reliable and silent. 1
don76 Posted July 18, 2019 Author Posted July 18, 2019 Thanks to everyone for your replies/advice. I ended up backing out of the purchase. Seemed irrational to spend money on a quality unit and then possibly compromise it. The seller was very accomodating, and the amp is for sale again if anybody is not bothered by the transformer palava. Seemed a good price for the unit: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/273933589479?ViewItem=&item=273933589479
pete_mac Posted July 18, 2019 Posted July 18, 2019 Bugger - it looks to be in fantastic condition. A 1000W 120V stepdown from Wallcann ($72) would do the job nicely. I use a 100V Wallcann these days and they are a good thing.
mbz Posted July 18, 2019 Posted July 18, 2019 I would go for an isolated transformer not an auto-transformer due to issues should there be a windings failure. 1000VA would be plenty, most of the time the amp will be drawing less than 200VA. A quality isolated transformer (seperate windings) is ballpark $250-$300, Tortech offer both types, their isolated types are suitable. The KA-8100 would need refurbishment, diy $150? Getting close to $1000- but you would then have a decent amp. Using a stepdown is no big deal, I use a 240V->100Vac for some Japanese purchases yamaha CA-2010, CA-1010, Pioneer SA-8500II,,, Still looking for a sansui alpha xxx or MOS or even AU-919...
andyr Posted July 18, 2019 Posted July 18, 2019 On 18/07/2019 at 9:25 AM, don76 said: Thanks to everyone for your replies/advice. I ended up backing out of the purchase. Seemed irrational to spend money on a quality unit and then possibly compromise it. The seller was very accomodating, and the amp is for sale again if anybody is not bothered by the transformer palava. Seemed a good price for the unit: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/273933589479?ViewItem=&item=273933589479 Expand Very sensible IMO. Of course, your other option is buy the unit and then have a tech replace the 120v Jap power transformer with a 240v Oz transformer having the same secondary winding specification. That's what I would do, if I had a hankering for that particular amp. Andy
pete_mac Posted July 18, 2019 Posted July 18, 2019 On 18/07/2019 at 11:02 AM, andyr said: Very sensible IMO. Of course, your other option is buy the unit and then have a tech replace the 120v Jap power transformer with a 240v Oz transformer having the same secondary winding specification. That's what I would do, if I had a hankering for that particular amp. Andy Expand Sounds nice in theory Andy, but given the nice black-cased dual transformers in these models, achieving a factory appearance would be very challenging indeed. I guess it comes down to finding the right transformer builder though - maybe someone could do the job properly!
andyr Posted July 19, 2019 Posted July 19, 2019 On 18/07/2019 at 1:26 PM, pete_mac said: Sounds nice in theory Andy, but given the nice black-cased dual transformers in these models, achieving a factory appearance would be very challenging indeed. I guess it comes down to finding the right transformer builder though - maybe someone could do the job properly! Expand There's a company in Melbourne who might be able to do this - "Black Arts Audio"? (Or something like that.) Andy 1
mbz Posted July 20, 2019 Posted July 20, 2019 On 19/07/2019 at 11:57 PM, andyr said: There's a company in Melbourne who might be able to do this - "Black Arts Audio"? (Or something like that.) Expand Sadly no knowledge of this company, however I would expect this option to be expensive($400-$500??). The biggest problem will be fitting in the available space. I'd go the quality stepdown and then have the flexibility to use it for other purchases, plenty of good gear on the international market. Also keep an eye on the international parts market but with freight this is also expensive.
don76 Posted July 20, 2019 Author Posted July 20, 2019 I seemed to have sparked an interesting debate here. Makes me wonder - what percentage of high end audio did we used to get out here during the "golden era" (73-83)? Are many audiophiles running step-down transformers so they can use a broader range of gear? Might start another thread: "hands up if you use a step down?"
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