qwerter Posted June 19, 2020 Share Posted June 19, 2020 Which 240v to 220v step down transformer for a tube amp would you recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerter Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 Are these any good? https://www.tortech.com.au/product/voltage-converters/step-down/economy/economy-european-step-down-transformer/?attribute_wattage=2400W 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerter Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 Or these ones: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-x-700-VA-Step-down-transformer-240V-220V-Factor-9-1-Fused-for-tube-amp/124203003346?hash=item1ceb136dd2:g:OmQAAOSwKfVXKTgu&frcectupt=true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted June 19, 2020 Share Posted June 19, 2020 Can't go wrong with Tortech I've never had an issue with 3 transformers I've owned over the years. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerter Posted June 19, 2020 Author Share Posted June 19, 2020 9 minutes ago, BATMAQN said: Can't go wrong with Tortech I've never had an issue with 3 transformers I've owned over the years. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delphi17 Posted June 19, 2020 Share Posted June 19, 2020 +1 for Tortech, very reliable and built like tanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronal Posted June 19, 2020 Share Posted June 19, 2020 Both the transformers are autoformers, ie not isolation transformers. You need to get an isolation transformer. Tortech make these as well (although they're more expensive) and are highly recommended. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted June 19, 2020 Share Posted June 19, 2020 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Bronal said: Both the transformers are autoformers, ie not isolation transformers. You need to get an isolation transformer. Tortech make these as well (although they're more expensive) and are highly recommended. Yep for the tube amp get the isolation one as stated above. I have Tortech and Wallcan units and like them both Edited June 19, 2020 by jakeyb77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delphi17 Posted June 19, 2020 Share Posted June 19, 2020 OP wants the European step down, Tortech doesn’t make isolated version for the euro step down. Probably needs to be a custom built, which can get very pricey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzle Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 Why do you need one. what is your mains voltage does it vary day to night The percentage difference prob won't have any effect on grid and anode voltages, if it does they will be same for both. A mains reg would be a better proposition imo 'if ' needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muon* Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, bazzle said: Why do you need one. what is your mains voltage does it vary day to night The percentage difference prob won't have any effect on grid and anode voltages, if it does they will be same for both. A mains reg would be a better proposition imo 'if ' needed. I beg to differ, 220 to 240v will be a shade off 9.1% increase, on a 6.3v heater that takes it to 6.9v. Add to that many people in lots of areas get higher than 240 at the wall and this is not great for a tube's longevity, and when looking at other operating points in the circuit also it means the amp is not functioning as intended/designed. Or maybe I'm just picky Edited June 20, 2020 by muon* 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delphi17 Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) and unless you have a ground loop issue, I would say not to use isolation transformer on the same unit. and have it as separates if you needed in future , the cost will be similar to a custom built, and you have two units. with amps , the less things in between outlet to the amp the better, as anything is going to effect dynamics, regardless of price. unless it's to solve a bigger problem, amps should be plugged directly to wall with simple surge protection. Edited June 20, 2020 by delphi17 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDX Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 12 hours ago, qwerter said: Which 240v to 220v step down transformer for a tube amp would you recommend? I have one, very new Tortech. will you be interested? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrMikeOz Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 9 minutes ago, TDX said: I have one, very new Tortech. will you be interested? If they aren’t I would be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDX Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 7 minutes ago, DrMikeOz said: If they aren’t I would be Thank you. I’ll let you know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDX Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) I pm to OP but thought write here to share my experience. In my experience, the valve amp may have following issues without a step down transformer: More hum sound; The amp will run warmer. So as the tubes. Therefore less useful life for tubes. when running Tortech itself has no hum or any noise, dead quiet. Edited June 20, 2020 by TDX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDX Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 2 hours ago, muon* said: I beg to differ, 220 to 240v will be a shade off 9.1% increase, on a 6.3v heater that takes it to 6.9v. Add to that many people in lots of areas get higher than 240 at the wall and this is not great for a tube's longevity, and when looking at other operating points in the circuit also it means the amp is not functioning as intended/designed. Or maybe I'm just picky for tubes, the difference is a lot. I don’t think you are picky. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereonut Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 11 hours ago, Bronal said: Both the transformers are autoformers, ie not isolation transformers. You need to get an isolation transformer. Tortech make these as well (although they're more expensive) and are highly recommended. Totally agree. Just brought one from Tortech and made a huge improvement on my 300b which was rated 200 to 230v Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delphi17 Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 13 minutes ago, stereonut said: Totally agree. Just brought one from Tortech and made a huge improvement on my 300b which was rated 200 to 230v Did you get the isolation custom made? how much was it ? thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDX Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 4 minutes ago, delphi17 said: Did you get the isolation custom made? how much was it ? thank you No, I just bought the one listed in OPs thread. About $300 landed to me. I didn’t find any issue at all. But I wasn’t experience enough to tell if isolation can be even better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereonut Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 6 hours ago, delphi17 said: Did you get the isolation custom made? how much was it ? thank you Yes - custom made. From memory around $270 inc Express Post to Perth. I discussed my amp with them and they took it from there. SN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlr8or Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) I have the Tortech 240v to 220v non-isolated ones and for my many valve power/pre amps that I own I use this Korean beauty that allows me to dial in the voltage that I want. I also check in circuit heater and filament voltages as well at the valve sockets to ensure those toobs are getting the right AC or DC heater voltages. Edited June 20, 2020 by xlr8or 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassline Junkie Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 I've got one of these on the way from McChanson. Cheaper option than the Tortech. Will hopefully fix some hum issues with my 220V tube amp! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-x-200VA-Step-down-transformer-240V-220V-factor-0-93-fused-for-Valve-amp-1/114245673813?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muon* Posted June 20, 2020 Share Posted June 20, 2020 1 hour ago, Bassline Junkie said: I've got one of these on the way from McChanson. Cheaper option than the Tortech. Will hopefully fix some hum issues with my 220V tube amp! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-x-200VA-Step-down-transformer-240V-220V-factor-0-93-fused-for-Valve-amp-1/114245673813?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 200va? Hope it's low consumption. What amp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassline Junkie Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 10 hours ago, muon* said: 200va? Hope it's low consumption. What amp? Geez, good point Muon. It's a Line Magnetic 518ia. Consumption is 320 watts apparently. Maybe I should use this for my LM DAC, and get a Tortech for the amp? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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