Of course, but we need to establish what damage has been done and this can only be revealed by careful inspection.

Know Your Voltage

Different regions use different AC or ‘mains’ supply voltages. For example, Japan uses 100V, the USA uses 120V, and Europe and Asia use 220V, 230V or 240V, depending on the region. Anything other than 230V or 240V presents a big problem for people living in Australia where we have a 240/250V supply.

Higher voltage AC supplies are better from a technical perspective which is great for us. More on that another time. BUT – If you plug in a piece of electronic equipment set to run on 100V or 120V into a 240V socket here in Australia, IT WILL FAIL, unless a fuse saves it first.

Electronic equipment doesn’t “automatically adjust” as one enquirer who blew up his newly acquired equipment told me on the phone. He was probably thinking of equipment that uses switching power supplies or SMPS, like phone chargers, USB power supplies etc. Good hi-fi equipment generally doesn’t use this type of power supply.

The Problem

Transformers ‘transform’ or convert AC voltages proportionally, according to the ratio of turns on their primary and secondary sides. For example, equipment set to run on 120VAC might contain a transformer that steps this down to say 35VAC, which when rectified will be around 50VDC. When you feed that transformer 240V, double the input voltage equals double the output voltage. Your internal 50VDC supply is now magically a 100VDC supply, double what it’s supposed to be.

If this happens, you can say goodbye to any electrical components that were rated for 50VDC. If you are lucky, fast-acting fuses might save the equipment and I’ve seen this happen. In most cases though, the damage is more substantial, sometimes even terminal. It just depends on the circuit, the voltage applied, and luck.

My recent (2024) repair of a gorgeous Pioneer PL-50L turntable is a great example of a 100V Japanese turntable failing when plugged into a 240V outlet. It’s also an example of careful technical repair work bringing about the resurrection of this beautiful piece. There were no internal fuses to save this deck. In the wrong hands, this repair would have been possible.

Configurability

Some hi-fi equipment can be set to run on a variety of line voltages. It depends on the market the equipment was originally destined for and can vary among examples of the same model, dependent on production date and market.

Reconfiguration may be straightforward, or it may involve working inside a chassis, soldering unmarked jumpers into new positions in some cases and installing new parts, jumpers, etc. Some equipment cannot be reconfigured for other line voltages, most notably certain Japanese-only and North American-market equipment.

Manufacturers produce a variety of models/years/markets/voltage reconfigurability. I know many of these combinations and configurability but there are many cases where voltage reconfigurability cannot be known until inspecting the equipment first-hand. Equipment that is line voltage configurable is like gold as it can be used anywhere in the world without a step-up or step-down transformer and commands premium prices as a result.

I’ve seen locally supplied equipment set incorrectly, many times. The Mark Levinson ML-7 preamp I repaired and a pair of Accuphase M-60 amplifiers are two examples of gear that was set to run on 220V. Therefore, all equipment should be checked to ensure it is configured to run on the line voltage where it is to be used. This is especially important for equipment purchased outside its originally intended market.

False Economy

We all want to save money but how many times have you tried and it only ended up costing more? Picking where to save it is the important part and equipment checking/reconfiguration is one of those scenarios where saving money isn’t the way best idea. I encourage everyone reading this to carefully weigh up the pros and cons.

I’m not saying this because I need work. I literally NEVER need work, a byproduct of running a business with only quality in mind. If you know how to check and reconfigure your equipment without risking your equipment and health, go for it. For most owners though, having this work done professionally is the smartest and cheapest option available.

In addition to line voltage reconfiguration, new fuses of the correct current rating will be required. Even if ‘Dick’ next door reckons he can do this for you, it might be wise to ask how much Accuphase equipment Dick’s worked on and what his warranty policy is in case something goes wrong.

But Mike, it will cost money to have my equipment checked and reconfigured.

Enquirer

It will, of course, cost a lot more if the equipment is destroyed in an attempt to save a piddling amount of money, at a time when it is never more sensible to spend it. That regret I hear in people who call to discuss how they tried to save some money and killed their equipment is telling. There will always be gamblers and some will get away with it, whilst others will contribute to the steady stream of such enquiries I receive.

I’ve just heard of a story where a fellow had his $30,000 Accuphase SACD player destroyed because someone tried to reconfigure the voltage and didn’t know how and destroyed the equipment. Think about that. If that gentleman had taken it to the right place, he’d be $30,000 better off right now.

Pre and post-purchase inspections have saved my customers thousands and are one of the most sensible things one can do with a newly purchased piece of equipment. We usually find things that need attention, which can often be leveraged into a price reduction/partial refund. It’s one of many benefits of engaging a specialist.

TLDR

I receive a steady stream of enquiries from people who’ve killed newly acquired imported hi-fi equipment with incorrect line voltage. This failure mode is completely avoidable by having your equipment assessed and reconfigured. If equipment cannot be reconfigured, a step-down transformer will be needed. More specific and detailed advice, as always, is available via our advisory service.