• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Accuphase E-202 - from 117 v to 240 v ?

duckrabbit

duckrabbit

Member
Greetings all!

I just bought an Accuphase from the US and shipped it here in Europe (Finland). According to the seller it had been thoroughly checked by a local tech. Apparently the four big caps have been replaced with Nichion LGK Gold, same value as originals. I tested it with an old step down transformer of mine and it seems to be working. However, the step down transformer is not a very good one and only provides for "appliances max 200 watts". So I suspect it lacks juice for the Accuphase. I also suspect this might affect the sound quality: it is very good indeed but it seems to lack some punch especially in the bass - even my Sansui AU-101 (recapped) has tighter bass. This was when speaker damping switch was in the "normal" position.

Now I know very little about electronics. As I've understood, the older Accuphase amps have a voltage selector. It seems that I could just switch the voltage to 240 v by simply switching the jumper. Before I do that, I would like to ask if anyone has done this with the E-202 or if anyone can think of a reason not to do this myself.

As you can see below, I already removed the jumper. Should I just place it to the 240 V position?
IMG-1755.JPG
IMG-1748.JPG IMG-1756.JPG IMG-1757.JPG

Finally, can I just use this power chord and replace the US plug into a 2 pole european one?
IMG-1759.JPG

IMG-1754.JPG
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Set selector to 240V, power up with dim bulb tester just as a safety check.
Regarding the plug, polarity is not important in this design. Replace the plug with a
european type would be ok.
 
Thanks. Good to get a confirmation about the power chord. In fact I found my old universal travel adaptor so I guess I don't even need to change the plug.

A dim bulb test would seem to require special equipment so that's not very practical for me. I see the safety advantage though. Is there anyone who can confirm that changing the voltage for the Accuphase is simply a matter of swiching the jumper? If there is, I could take the risk and just do that.
 
I removed the bottom cover. It seems the wires from the voltage selector go straight into the transformer. In the user or the service manual I've found nothing about changing the voltage (maybe there is something a tech would understand) but it is stated in the specs that the amp has a "voltage selector". All of this suggests that changing the voltage is indeed simply a matter of switching the jumper. I hope to get some more thoughts from those with experience but if not, I might just try it in a few hours and hopefully not fry this nice amp.
IMG-1761.JPG
IMG-1760.JPG
Screen Shot 2018-07-29 at 14.46.51.png
 
duckrabbit said:
...I just bought an Accuphase from the US and shipped it here in Europe (Finland).

Now I know very little about electronics. As I've understood, the older Accuphase amps have a voltage selector. It seems that I could just switch the voltage to 240 v by simply switching the jumper.

As you can see below, I already removed the jumper. Should I just place it to the 240 V position?
Click to expand...
Whilst setting the equipment operating voltage to 240V AC should not stress any components, you need to answer the following question accurately:

Was Finland ever a part of The British Empire? :wtf:

If you (incorrectly) answered 'Yes', set the operating voltage to 240V and keep believing 'fake news'! :rflmao:

If you (correctly) answered 'No', set the operating voltage to 220V (i.e. the arrow points to 220V) and enjoy the music! :music:
View attachment 1246260

Good Luck!

N.B. 230V AC is a 'paper' specification, NOT a distribution voltage.
 
Cheers. Finland is 230V and it seems setting amps to 240V instead of 220V is usually recommended in the audio forums here. A local tech had set my Quad 303 to 240V after recapping it etc.

So I did it, set the jumper to 240V and pushed power on. No fire, no smoke, it works! And now it sounds much better than with the crappy old step down transformer.

Now I know what the fuss is about: this thing sounds sublime. I had never even dreamed of such huge soundstage. Yet everything is clear and focused, dynamic and unforced at the same time, from the lowest to the highest freqs. For kick drums it's not the punchiest amp I've heard, less punchy than the Quad, but that's not a bad tradeoff for what it does. I'm gonna take good care of this and keep it for a long time, maybe til the end. :)
 
Last edited:
duckrabbit said:
Cheers. Finland is 230V and it seems setting amps to 240V instead of 220V is usually recommended in the audio forums here. A local tech had set my Quad 303 to 240V after recapping it etc.

So I did it, set the jumper to 240V and pushed power on. No fire, no smoke, it works! And now it sounds much better than with the crappy old step down transformer.

Now I know what the fuss is about: this thing sounds sublime. I had never even dreamed of such huge soundstage. Yet everything is clear and focused, dynamic and unforced at the same time, from the lowest to the highest freqs. For kick drums it's not the punchiest amp I've heard, less punchy than the Quad, but that's not a bad tradeoff for what it does. I'm gonna take good care of this and keep it for a long time, maybe til the end. :)
Click to expand...

Good you got it sorted out. The E-202 is a personal favorite. IMO, the selectable DF is the feature that makes this amp. The lower settings blend the signal in a tube sort of way. With transparent speakers, you can really hear the effect. I'm not saying the E-202 sounds like tubes, no SS amp does IME. However, some have a little flavoring and the E-202 along with Yamaha and Sony VFET's have the most.
 
I have never met an Accu E 202 so you need to do the proper investigation.
Lets say if it was 117v -3 amp fuse you should now use a 240v 1.5A fuse. If you look at the schematic it will provide those details. The fuse is there to save the other components. With an overrated fuse you may as well go welding.
That power cable is crap IMO, it doesn't meet current standards. my 2 cents.
 
E202_10A.JPG Schematic shows a 10A circuit breaker rather than a fuse, 10A is somewhat confusing to me
since at 375W, 100V gives about 4A (and about 1.6A at 240V), so why 10A???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom