110V Dilemma

[arunkvivek]

My parents are returning from US at the end of October. I was planning to get some 240V amplifiers from US ordering on audiogon. Suddenly, I realized that there is labor day sale happening and found a few interesting deals:
the older Marantz SR5011 at an unbelievable price of $450. So, I am tempted to get this.
Also, Denon X4300H available at $799 ~51000
Marantz SR7011 @ $1319 ~84000

However, this brings in the dilemma of step down transformer. I wanted to check the expert opinion on using 1000 watt step down transformer for the AVR. I am assuming that a good step down transformer would cost ~ 10-12K for the load. Is it worth the gamble? Customs comes into play only for Marantz SR7011.

With the 110V products coming into picture, I am thinking of Pre-Pro for my stereo which would fit in $500. Any suggestions?

 

[elangoas]

My parents are returning from US at the end of October. I was planning to get some 240V amplifiers from US ordering on audiogon. Suddenly, I realized that there is labor day sale happening and found a few interesting deals:
the older Marantz SR5011 at an unbelievable price of $450. So, I am tempted to get this.
Also, Denon X4300H available at $799 ~51000
Marantz SR7011 @ $1319 ~84000

However, this brings in the dilemma of step down transformer. I wanted to check the expert opinion on using 1000 watt step down transformer for the AVR. I am assuming that a good step down transformer would cost ~ 10-12K for the load. Is it worth the gamble? Customs comes into play only for Marantz SR7011.

With the 110V products coming into picture, I am thinking of Pre-Pro for my stereo which would fit in $500. Any suggestions?

If a 240V unit then yes..

If 110V, IMO nope..even though the price is very attractive.. You loose warranty anyway & there is this hit/miss case of duty..

An other reason is additional step down transformer required and lack of 110V spares aval here juz incase something unfortunate happens..

Try OLX, you might get some inputs..

 

[arunkvivek]

I was betting on you somehow to respond first. I hope to visit your HT setup when I come down to Chennai.

You loose warranty anyway & there is this hit/miss case of duty..

Given the track record of Indian Service Centers, I don't bother much about it. If my stars are not aligned, I am going to be in crap.

An other reason is additional step down transformer required and lack of 110V spares aval here juz incase something unfortunate happens..

Try OLX, you might get some inputs..

OLX - I still lose the warranty
Stepdown transformer - What kind of AV complications will this introduce apart from cost (which going to be parted from the savings in price)?
Lack of 110V spares - Apart from from power supply section, would there be any change in components between 110V and 220V?

 

[raj12345]

A Constant HUM or What We Calls it A DISTORTION will always be there at any Volume level if you uses a step down transformer for 110 volt ampolifier in India.
Also Indian Transformers are at no par comapred with Imported Transformers or the one which comes in built with a new Amplifier/Reciever.

 

[elangoas]

I was betting on you somehow to respond first. I hope to visit your HT setup when I come down to Chennai.

:thumbsup:.. Sure.. Most welcome..

Given the track record of Indian Service Centers, I don't bother much about it. If my stars are not aligned, I am going to be in crap.

If you have a 110V unit, service center are mostly likely to refuse you service.. Few FM have reported the issue here..

OLX - I still lose the warranty

Yes.. But you get 240V unit for close to lowest international price..Also getting spares (if any) might be easy..

Assuming you get 110V unit from US, without duty (51K) + 10K for STD ~ 60K.. For 10 ~ 15% more, you get 240V..

Stepdown transformer - What kind of AV complications will this introduce apart from cost (which going to be parted from the savings in price)?
Lack of 110V spares - Apart from from power supply section, would there be any change in components between 110V and 220V?

I too hope so.. Was just giving some pointers for you to decide..

Take your best shot..

 

[newlash09]

Hi I think apart from the power supply that converts 110v to dc for the rest of the components in the chain. Everything further down the line should be identical. Not a bad gamble actually. You should be okay with a step down transformer. However if that particular step down transformer is unable to give the juice in Amps that the marantz SR 7011 requires. You can always get a custom step down transformer made in the local electrical work ships we have, where they under take winding works. However, before you plug in our desi transformer into use, please always double confirm the output voltage as 110V with a multi meter in the workshop itself. I think it should work.

 

[arunkvivek]

A Constant HUM or What We Calls it A DISTORTION will always be there at any Volume level if you uses a step down transformer for 110 volt ampolifier in India.
Also Indian Transformers are at no par comapred with Imported Transformers or the one which comes in built with a new Amplifier/Reciever.

Thanks, Raj! Hum is scary! I hope some of the FMs who are using 110V AVR with step-down provide their feedback. Any good transformer brand that you recommend which can augument this hum (assuming that I go for an over capacity on wattage)?

 

[arunkvivek]

You can always get a custom step down transformer made in the local electrical work ships we have, where they under take winding works. However, before you plug in our desi transformer into use, please always double confirm the output voltage as 110V with a multi meter in the workshop itself. I think it should work.

That's comforting to know! I am bothered about the constant hum that Raj has mentioned.

 

[neelay2709]

Hi,

I have a 110V setup. My Onkyo and Bose Acoustimass 10 are 110V which i brought from USA.
I picked up 2 1000 Watt step downs from MX. The product is called Maxcon.

The following is the details:
Corporate Office :
Unit 5K, Laxmi Industrial Estate,
Link Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai - 53, India.
Whats-app : +91-9892250949
Landline : +91-022-40227539
mailing address is: [email protected]
Website is: MX MDR ELECTRONICS & MX ELECTRONICS & HDMI & CCTV CAMERA & DVR & SDI ACCESSORIES & VGA ; DVI & APPLE ACCESSORIES & CABLES & CONNECTORS & HOME THEATER CABLES & PRO-AUDIO / STUDIO ACCESSORIES & FIBER OPTICS & CABLE MANAGEMENT & CABLE ORGANISER & VIDEO

There are other brands out there also. Heard Belkin is also there.

I went with MX as the owner is a friends cousin.

I get a hum from the power unit. No hum from the speakers.

Regards,

Neelay

 

[drkrack]

Marantz SR5011 comes to 32K and not 50K; hence the temptation. I do not want to go through the grey market in India. Even Denon X4300H comes to 51K whereas it is 100K+ in India. These two can be brought without any duty issue. I am worried about the peak load handling capacities of SDT and now the hum issue that Raj has pointed. I hope to come to a conclusion by evening tomorrow. Confused as of now!!

I have used Yamaha RX-V477 AV Receiver with 110V Step-down from MX electronics for for more than 2+ yrs. The capacity of Step-down was almost double the max wattage of AV Receiver. 'Luckily' I've never faced any issue whatsoever. Wattage rating is a thing you need to look while buying a good Step-down transformer as they tend to be 70-80% efficient at the max.

Having said that, I wouldn't advice anyone to go through the Step-down route usually, but Sr 5011 is available at 48k from olx.in dealers so at 32k its a good deal. Get a good Step-down and keep the difference amount for repairs in future if need be...
The other receivers mentioned by you are not that cost effective.

 

[ssf]

Hum is scary! I hope some of the FMs who are using 110V AVR with step-down provide their feedback

I was using a stereo amp with a step down. No issues. Got my transformer locally built.

 

[hifiramr]

There is no issue with 110v like hum and all I am using my integrated amplifier and pioneer 51 fd blue ray player with 110v step down from MX electronics.

I will recommend to use US or Japan models always.The quality of the product in US market and Asia except Japan is different same company will provide 5 year warranty in US and 1 year in Asia.Also you may noticed that they have separate models only for us and Japan same is with case of Japan too.The quality of the products on those areas are excellent you never get disappoint.Only issue you may face is the service very rare chance of getting issues but resale value will be very less

 

[BRAT88]

Felt Like i should add lil something on the transformer "hum" issue mentioned here .
I got a transformer along with , when i bought one denon x2100w from olx 3 months back
Since then it was constantly running 98% of time . I have never had any issue with any transformer sound except a lil click when I switch it on .
It is rated 1 Kw and at the bottom it says "property of us government" which raised my eyebrow first time I saw it .

For transformer check it out https://www.amazon.in/MAXINE-1000-Converter-Toroidial-Transformer/dp/B00LZTV2NE/ref=pd_cp_23_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7M274NH4ETKMR27RFH7S
at least 25 people says tiz good ...and it also says "toroidal" ..

Receiver folks get that lingo

..

 

[arunkvivek]

Will have to put this thread to hibernation as I lost out on the chase. The deals were over before I gave the go ahead.

Nevertheless, It was a good eye-opener about 110V and the hassles it might bring in.

Thank you all for your inputs!!!

 

[raptor77]

Thanks, Raj! Hum is scary! I hope some of the FMs who are using 110V AVR with step-down provide their feedback. Any good transformer brand that you recommend which can augument this hum (assuming that I go for an over capacity on wattage)?

On your OP: I've done this twice - once for an AVR and once for a CDP. The AVR is the more recent one - a Denon X3300W for a throwaway price - half of the local quote. Searched this forum and found a reputed/recommended supplier for the transformer (pls PM - will share his contact info) which cost me 4250 for a 1000W capacity. I have connected it and haven't heard any hum - perhaps need to check at high current loads. He personally delivered it and brought a meter to check/show, asked about the MCB current load capacity in my house etc. Immaculately punctual and thorough - was impressed. He said he's got a few referrals earlier also from HFV.

On the CDP, the story was different. As you would guess, CDPs hardly impose a load compared to AVRs. So I ordered a Goldstar 100W transformer from Amazon at the same time and it was small/light enough for my friend to carry. Yes, the Goldstar one looks slicker and better and that one never 'hummed' either.

Finally the question of service/breakdowns etc - yes that could be an issue even though I haven't faced it in the last 5 years. I'm just hoping that since the product is basically the same except for the power supply, I'll be able to get it fixed at my regular place. Also hoping that these things are robust enough to last 5-10 years!

I'm a big fan of this buy from US and bring to India deal, and as long as you make sure you are under the max customs allowance, it just seems like a small risk worth taking.

 

[marsilians]

I have used Yamaha RX-V477 AV Receiver with 110V Step-down from MX electronics for for more than 2+ yrs. The capacity of Step-down was almost double the max wattage of AV Receiver. 'Luckily' I've never faced any issue whatsoever. Wattage rating is a thing you need to look while buying a good Step-down transformer as they tend to be 70-80% efficient at the max.

Having said that, I wouldn't advice anyone to go through the Step-down route usually, but Sr 5011 is available at 48k from olx.in dealers so at 32k its a good deal. Get a good Step-down and keep the difference amount for repairs in future if need be...
The other receivers mentioned by you are not that cost effective.

Another data point to consider. I had my entire HT and music setup through a step down by Maxine. No hum or any issues since I had a Furman power conditioner feeding all components. No issues whatsoever.

The most stress is from power amps due to peak voltages. Since you are only looking at receivers, you should be fine.

Re pre pro, lots of choices driven by budget...emotiva, outlaw audio, parasound, rega, McIntosh, bryston, and a few hundred more....


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[grebe925]

Thanks, Raj! Hum is scary! I hope some of the FMs who are using 110V AVR with step-down provide their feedback. Any good transformer brand that you recommend which can augument this hum (assuming that I go for an over capacity on wattage)?

I've been running a U.S. bought Pioneer VSX-1031 with a Raksha 1KV toroidal step-down transformer for a few years with no issues. As for hum, one thing to try is to switch power polarity by turning the plug around and plugging it back in to see if it goes away. It could also be due to many other issues. I would unplug inputs into the receiver one by one to see if it is being introduced by some other component. One thing I remember from a long time ago is hum through the FM antenna for which I used a balun on someone's advice and it went away.

 

[danccc]

So an overall experience from real users points to the step down solution being entirely feasible.


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[marsilians]

So an overall experience from real users points to the step down solution being entirely feasible.


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I would surmise that conclusion seems like a plausible one from the responses of the said real users when the responses are considered in totality to the original question.

 

[arunkvivek]

The quality of the products on those areas are excellent you never get disappoint.Only issue you may face is the service very rare chance of getting issues but resale value will be very less

Interesting perspective! Now that the labor day sale is over, I am looking online for deals. My parents have no inclination to roam around auditioning and negotiating for deals.