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New System - Japanese Components Advice Appreciated!

R

ryo_g

New Member
Hi there, new to the forum, just starting to build up a new system and trying to decide on an amp and speakers at this point!

Currently just picked up the preamp, Technics SU-9070, and looking at likely more Japanese components. Wondering if anyone could give me any pointers in terms of hooking up 100V components through power strip/step down transformer combos. Should I go Wall -> Power Bar -> Transformer -> Component?? And am I better off getting separate transformers for each component? Would I be ok to plug in amp and pre amp into one transformer?

This is what I'm looking at and what I have
Power Amp: Yamaha B-5 or B-4 (100V) or Bryston 4B or Sumo Polaris II (couple local options)
Preamp: Technics SU-9070 (100V)
Speakers: Yamaha NS-1 Classic or Technics SB-7000a
TT: Akai AP-001C w/ Audio Technica AT11 cartridge

Any advice or experience is greatly appreciated!
 
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For convenience it might be preferable to start with one transformer, with a power strip plugged into that and your components plugged into the power strip. But that will depend on the power draw of the components. You want the transformer to be rated well above the total. Power amps, obviously, are the ones to particularly watch.

But that leads to further issues. Transformers quickly become more expensive with increased power, a single unit to cover all components will be much larger, and it may have a built-in fan. If so, the noise will be intrusive. So that sort of pushes you back to needing smaller passively cooled transformers rather than a single large one. From what you say you already have, if they are indeed 100V-only models, you should be able to run a preamp and TT off something fairly modest. Without a power amp plugged into it, 300W will probably be more than enough. In fact you could get away with much less, such as 100W (that's what I use now for a couple of components), but you definitely need to check the specs of those particular components first. And if you're adding anything later, make sure you're not going to overload it.

Which raises the question, if you're not buying the transformers out of necessity to run equipment that you already own, and if you're not already in a 100V country, the only case I know of being Japan - how is it that you're contemplating acquiring 100V equipment that you'd then need to step down for? It would make more sense to buy a power amp that is appropriate to your local voltage.
 
OP! Please be so kind and tell us what country you're posting from. Yes, it does make giving advice much easier than fumbling blindly in the dark.
 
I think Canada, going from his introductory post in another thread. But it is definitely preferable to include such information when posting questions like this one!

The Bryston amp has quite high power consumption, and even the Yamaha B5 and B4 are 560W and 330W. But again, I don't quite see the point. Bryston is a Canadian company anyway, and if ryo_g is really considering 100V-only power amps in a 120V country, how is that an improvement on choosing from the multitude of 120V amps that should be available?

It would only work for me if the amp was being offered extremely cheaply, or given away by a friend/relative.

For the other components though (preamp and TT), plugging into one transformer should be no problem with a strip or even just a 2-outlet adapter.
 
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I’d probably try to find the US equivalent over the Japanese for your amp selection. Similar models were all sold here which would make running them much easier. I couldn’t even imagine the shipping cost of the B4 or B5. I think shipping on the last 13kg integrated amp I bought from Japan was $250 or above.

Otherwise, I’d probably run a big step down for the amp and another on a power strip for the rest of the components.
 
Hi! Thanks all for the input! I am in Canada.

Tonoje said:
For convenience it might be preferable to start with one transformer, with a power strip plugged into that and your components plugged into the power strip. But that will depend on the power draw of the components. You want the transformer to be rated well above the total. Power amps, obviously, are the ones to particularly watch.

But that leads to further issues. Transformers quickly become more expensive with increased power, a single unit to cover all components will be much larger, and it may have a built-in fan. If so, the noise will be intrusive. So that sort of pushes you back to needing smaller passively cooled transformers rather than a single large one. From what you say you already have, if they are indeed 100V-only models, you should be able to run a preamp and TT off something fairly modest. Without a power amp plugged into it, 300W will probably be more than enough. In fact you could get away with much less, such as 100W (that's what I use now for a couple of components), but you definitely need to check the specs of those particular components first. And if you're adding anything later, make sure you're not going to overload it.

Which raises the question, if you're not buying the transformers out of necessity to run equipment that you already own, and if you're not already in a 100V country, the only case I know of being Japan - how is it that you're contemplating acquiring 100V equipment that you'd then need to step down for? It would make more sense to buy a power amp that is appropriate to your local voltage.
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Good to know on the transformer front, I was looking at a couple smaller models that were around 1500W rating, and had two output receptacles. Will probably try one out and see if there's any noticeable noise.

To be honest, have heard a few different Yamaha driven systems and just loved the (natural) sound, and also aesthetically I love the look of that era of design...I found a few for almost half the cost on some Japanese auction sites in good condition as well.

OMGCat! said:
I’d probably try to find the US equivalent over the Japanese for your amp selection. Similar models were all sold here which would make running them much easier. I couldn’t even imagine the shipping cost of the B4 or B5. I think shipping on the last 13kg integrated amp I bought from Japan was $250 or above.

Otherwise, I’d probably run a big step down for the amp and another on a power strip for the rest of the components.
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If I found a M-2 or something this side of the Pacific I would most definitely go for that! I'm not in a big rush, so I'll keep looking closer to home for options. Yeah I can imaginne any savings I make on the amp i would end up coughing up for shipping :biggrin:
 
Using a step-down transformer on a power-amp degrades the sound noticeably. It always sounds better plugged directly into the mains. It affects other components adversely too, but less perceptibly.

As for using one big one Xformer, or several small ones, I prefer the latter. It gives more flexibility in the layout of your system. The rating of the Xformers should exceed the maximum draw of the components by a good margin, and should be fused. I'd also use the best power-strip I could afford (not from the Dollar Store). I've used Isobars for 30 years. But there are others designed for Audio (eg Panamax) which may offer extra benefits.
 
Put that Akai AP-001C on some sort of isolation stand, either cheap DIY (heavy wood cutting board on a half-inflated inner tube or racquetball halves) or fancy-pant$. It will vastly improve it's performance.

The tonearm on that table is really beautiful and a good performer. A future cartridge upgrade would also improve your system. The AT11 is decent but nothing really special.
 
doctor fuse said:
Put that Akai AP-001C on some sort of isolation stand, either cheap DIY (heavy wood cutting board on a half-inflated inner tube or racquetball halves) or fancy-pant$. It will vastly improve it's performance.

The tonearm on that table is really beautiful and a good performer. A future cartridge upgrade would also improve your system. The AT11 is decent but nothing really special.
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Thanks! I'm about to get new shelves, and they're metal, so was a bit worried about vibration. Was thinking of just getting some sorbothane pads, but cutting board with those would probably work better hey?

Yeah definitely want to upgrade the cartridge eventually, I inherited the TT and a couple NOS audio technica cartridges with it, so haven't looked into it yet. Any recommendations on a good daily driver that won't break the bank? I've fallen in love with the tone arm for sure!
 
Have you considered a UPS with programmable output voltage? They can be had for a couple of hundred bux.
 
There's enough decisions to go around with just the equipment.
Why would you want to deal with this issue.
Chances are good for you wanting to change it out in the future, now try selling it.
Buy the right stuff in the first place.
Sounds like a pita from the get go.
 
Update: Scored a Yamaha B-5 in very good condition (according to the ad and photos) for 50000JPY, so about $470 USD!

bradyzq said:
Have you considered a UPS with programmable output voltage? They can be had for a couple of hundred bux.
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KentTeffeteller said:
May I make a suggestion which is useful. Buy a small variac, rated for the biggest audio component you will ever want to buy from Japan. Takes care of the voltage issue.
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Can I ask, what would be the advantages of a UPC or variac over a normal step down transformer?
 
The variac is a transformer, just variable. The UPS can be of benefit if you lose power, they also can have other bells and whistles such as tight voltage regulation.
 
Many manufacturers, like Sony, offer the same products in different countries. They offer internal transformers designed for each line voltage and sometimes for local regulations.

If you get a service manual for the component you'll often see the different transformer part numbers for different countries.

If you're handy and if you're lucky, you can order the different parts and install them yourself or hire someone to do it for you.

I had converted a 120VAC American-spec Sony HiRes player to our local 240VAC line current for a reasonable fee to my local technician.

Here's the parts list out of the service manual for a Sony SCD-XA9000ES where "AEP" is for the 240VAC market:

0T901 1-437-420-12 TRANSFORMER, POWER (AEP)
0T901 1-437-422-12 TRANSFORMER, POWER (EXCEPT AEP)
0T902 1-437-421-12 TRANSFORMER, POWER (AEP)
0T902 1-437-423-12 TRANSFORMER, POWER (EXCEPT AEP)
 
I noticed no sonic differences between Luxman MB3045 tube monoblocks (120v) and Luxman A3000 tube monoblocks (same design, but 100v) on a variac, fwiw.
 
Where do you get tubes for that MB3045? I've heard more than once they are unobtainable. Or, is yours one of those that was converted to use other tubes?
 
ryo_g said:
Update: Scored a Yamaha B-5 in very good condition (according to the ad and photos) for 50000JPY, so about $470 USD!





Can I ask, what would be the advantages of a UPC or variac over a normal step down transformer?
Click to expand...

Only needing to buy one of those.
 
ryo_g said:
Can I ask, what would be the advantages of a UPC or variac over a normal step down transformer?
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For simply stepping down to 100V, which you indicate that you need, there is no advantage at all. A stepdown transformer will do that, usually in a simple form factor. And compact, if you don't need high wattage. It's exactly what it's designed to do.

A variable transformer provides a range of voltages, which is useful for repairing or testing equipment. If you like the idea of some additional functionality, there's no harm in getting one. The form factor is less rack-friendly though, and the additional voltage settings are absolutely unnecessary for mere stepdown work to a single voltage. In other words, if you need one at all, you sort of need one as well as rather than instead of a stepdown transformer. Moving one back and forth between an audio system and a test bench, or plugging other devices into it while it's doing service in your audio system, would not be all that convenient. You might be able to organize around some of those issues with extensions/power strips, but then it comes down to whether you really need it at all, or why you couldn't just have two transformers.
 
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