Amps and transformers

[wasabe19]

I was wondering whether using an external transformer to step up the voltage affects the performance of the amp at all and ofcourse, whether it affects the tone. can the transformer within the amp can be changed to suit local voltages?

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

google for van halen and his usage of variac to adjust the voltage into amp in his early days.

it will affect the sound, but for most of us who prolly playing at home, no electrical knowledge, its better to leave the amp and voltage alone. Those are not toys to play around if not knowing the working of it. It can be fatal.

 

[wasabe19]

Will the amp sound significantly different with the use of an external transformer? I'm thinking of getting a US 'voltaged' amp but I'm afraid that it might not sound it's best with an external transformer being used to 'localise' it...

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

ah, ok, than thatst prolly a different thing to what i mentioned, using the variac. Ignored bout the info. VH usage of variac is to bring down the operation voltage.

what you are after is just simply powering up the thing due to the difference in our local voltage.

anyway, the differences prolly not a "night and day" kinda. Even if theres differences, the only way to go is to check with the amp manufacturer whether they have the 230vac version or get amp tech to replace the transformer(if possible and prolly adding another amount of money, it aint a cheap replacement in general)

 

[Dongara]

Differences in tone - negligible.

If the transformer is for a solid state transistor amp then it is relatively cheap and may be worth doing. If it's for a tube amp, then no, it will cost a bomb to buy and install.

Just make sure that the step down trany has more power than the requirement of the amp. This will be written on the rear of the amp.