Buying Turntables from Overseas

[Mariners]

So, today I found myself in full blown search mode during my down time, per usual, in which I scour every audio sales website I know. It really is an addiction, I'm convinced.

Well, as I'm doing this I realized that every few weeks, I find myself on overseas versions of "that auction site" and lusting after some quality items. I guess the point of this is to ask if anybody has bought from overseas auction sites or anything of this sort. I am located in the States, so I'm talking overseas as primarily Europe, Japan, etc.

And if so, maybe you can share your experiences! And a link perhaps? Because I'd really like myself a Thorens 520 or Dual Golden 1 !

 

[avole]

The problem is the electricity supply. You have 110v 60HZ, much of the rest of the world has 220v 50HZ. This means that a turntable imported from Europe, even if you have the correct transformer, will probably run at the wrong speed.

You'll need to source at the least a US spec pulley, and perhaps a new power supply as well, before the turntable will work.

 

[releone71]

Ten years more in "that auction site" and never a problem. I've purchased stuff (even heavy stuff) from every continent. The rules are simple: communication, know your counterpart, clarify every aspect of the transaction, choose the most reliable shipping method (not necessarily the most expensive), always use PayPal.

That is valid also for other sites such as AG, for example.

 

[releone71]

...a turntable imported from Europe, even if you have the correct transformer, will probably run at the wrong speed.

Uhmmmm...not necessarily...:scratch2:

Anyway, the Thorens 520 has stroboscope and fine adjusting of the speed.

 

[sailbum_2000]

And if so, maybe you can share your experiences! And a link perhaps? Because I'd really like myself a Thorens 520 or Dual Golden 1 !

I recently purchased a turntable from these people...
http://www.hifido.jp/?lang=E&genre=0301&keyword=&arrival=10&limit=10&price=0
The transaction was smooth and went well. I also had to purchase on of these to deal with the voltage difference....
http://www.voltageconverters.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=VC100J

If I found something else on their site I wanted to buy, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again.

 

[avole]

Uhmmmm...not necessarily...:scratch2:

Anyway, the Thorens 520 has stroboscope and fine adjusting of the speed.

Which is why I said will probably, as opposed to will definitely. To be precise, a turntable with a synchronous motor will almost definitely have this problem.

 

[voltcontrol]

Make very sure that the seller know how to pack carefully.

Check shipping cost before even looking at items on other continents. It might render buying there very inattractive in the first place...

 

[releone71]

Which is why I said will probably, as opposed to will definitely. To be precise, a turntable with a synchronous motor will almost definitely have this problem.

You can delete the "almost". That's for shure.

Anyway, Mariners was talking about two beasts from the '80s which sport any cunning device to keep speed constant despite the frequency of the AC.

If we take a look at the back of the turntables starting from the mid '70s on (Japan made in particular) we will see on their tags XXX VAC 50/60hz, which means the synchronous motor is indifferent to the AC frequency. That was possible designing servocontrolled or quartz locked motors. Therefore, it is not out of the world to import, for example, fine Japan made turntables from their country to Europe, as well as European made turntables can work properly in the USA with a step up transformer. It's only a question to be aware of the gear you are going to purchase after all.

 

[avole]

You can delete the "almost". That's for shure.

Anyway, Mariners was talking about two beasts from the '80s which sport any cunning device to keep speed constant despite the frequency of the AC.

If we take a look at the back of the turntables starting from the mid '70s on (Japan made in particular) we will see on their tags XXX VAC 50/60hz, which means the synchronous motor is indifferent to the AC frequency. That was possible designing servocontrolled or quartz locked motors. Therefore, it is not out of the world to import, for example, fine Japan made turntables from their country to Europe, as well as European made turntables can work properly in the USA with a step up transformer. It's only a question to be aware of the gear you are going to purchase after all.

Well, shucks, silly me! There's me trying to help by pointing out a potential problem when those smart people worked it out 40 years ago! A tag to chose between voltages,eh? Next thing you know they'll have invented the wheel!

Sad to say there are still brands even to-day, including one of the largest, Pro-ject, who haven't worked it out and whose turntables will run at the wrong speed if you buy them in Europe and run them in the US. I thought it was fair enough to point this out as a potential problem, but evidently not.

I shall refrain from attempting to help out AKers in the future.

 

[releone71]

Well, shucks, silly me! There's me trying to help by pointing out a potential problem when those smart people worked it out 40 years ago! A tag to chose between voltages,eh? Next thing you know they'll have invented the wheel!

Sad to say there are still brands even to-day, including one of the largest, Pro-ject, who haven't worked it out and whose turntables will run at the wrong speed if you buy them in Europe and run them in the US. I thought it was fair enough to point this out as a potential problem, but evidently not.

I shall refrain from attempting to help out AKers in the future.

Avole, it is surely fair and you notified an important warning to AKers. :thmbsp:

I can add to your words that turntables from other famous European brands can't run in the USA. My Rega Planar 3, for example, can't work properly.

You have warned people about that potential problem. I'm simply telling them "be aware of what you are going to purchase from overseas". Certain turntables won't have issues, some others can't run properly. But, once again, it is not the case of the Thorens 520 and the Dual Golden 1. Do you agree?

 

[beatcomber]

After reading all of the domestic shipping horror stories about snapped tonearms and smashed plinths, I would never buy a turntable via eBay, especially one from overseas!

 

[releone71]

After reading all of the domestic shipping horror stories about snapped tonearms and smashed plinths, I would never buy a turntable via eBay, especially one from overseas!

Shipping a turntable involves a serious effort in packaging it the safest way possible. Only vinyl lovers are able to do a good job. Once again it is important the communication with your counterpart in order to know who you are dealing with. Sailbum has not been disappointed by his counterpart in Japan.